? on HST sizes
 

Sorry Brain will not engage today. I am going to make a carpenters square for my brother in laws retirement. The pattern calls for 6 1/2" unfinished squares. What size will I need to cut my squares for to do HST? I am thinking 7 and 3/8 , but am not sure. I am going to use this pattern http://www.quiltfrog.com/fourhour.html

Has anyone else made this one?

I think I read somewhere that you had to add 7/8" for HSTs and 1.25" for QSTs. I'd be tempted to add extra just to allow for squaring up.

I agree with Jeaninmaine - add extra for squaring up!

there is a post on this site that makes 4 61/2 inch hsts from 2 91/2 inch squares by sewing around the 2 squares and then cutting diagonally in both directions-- neat idea to save time!

Gee, Thanks Abby's mom, I knew I thought I had seen that somewhere. I think that is the way I will go. I am proud I did remember the add 7/8 rule.

LOL, sinus meds will rot your mathematical mind.......Thanks everybody!!!

The pattern calls for 6.5 unfinished. So your finished size is 6 inches. You add 7/8ths to the finished size not the unfinished size. So for the HST I would cut 7 inches and square up to 6.5.

Scissor Queen is right. The 6 7/8" would require you to do a scant 1/4" seam and press very accurately to retain the square shape. If you sew that perfectly, then that is the correct size for you. I prefer to add 1" to the FINISHED HST size (which would be 7" in this case) and trim the individual HSTs down to size.

Thanks for your input. I so appreciate your help!

I like to "err" on the plus side when possible, so I would cut the squares a little larger and then trim to the proper size. Good luck, and show us when you finish!

I paper piece them via Triangulations software and no need to think about measurements or cut to size afterwards. I've posted about Triangulations 3 times already today. :>

madquilter hit it on the nose... they will be sized perfectly and lay perfectly flat... the first thing i do on any quilt is to count the number of HSTs i need, Then I separate for color, count, figure out how big a grid to draw and then sew all i need of one color, cut, press and square up every HST before proceeding. if i need a 6 (finished) i cut at 7, two seams come off and then there is still a tiny bit of trimming to do...but they will all be perfect.

Yes, I have made that pattern. I cut mine at 7 1/2 and trimmed each one. it doesn't take long with a 6 1/2" square up ruler. Here's mine.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...y-t158183.html

I dont make them that large but you can make 8 at a time by using two 14inch squares, draw an x. sew 1/4 in down both sides of lines. Cut in half on both sides then on drawn line. You will have 8 triangles that will only need a scant square up.
This method is El Burns way. For each size squares needed you add 2 inchs to the size of the two squares. So a 2 1/2 inch you use 6 in squares, for 3 1/2 use 8 inch squares. I also have the triangulations cd but it was expensive for what you get.
But it does make exact size HST.
I highly recommend Quilt In A Days triangle square up ruler, it saves so much time when squareing up HSTs. One cut.

i made two of those last year following that pattern. They went together quite well. while I wouldn't call them "4 hour quilts" they really didn't take all that long to make.

Her's another time saving technique fo cut several HSTs: 1) Multiply your FINISHED square by 2. (2) Add 2 to this number. Now cut a square this size ( Fin. block size x 2 +2).Draw two diagonals ,then mark centers for sides an draw lines connecting the centers ( cross). Sew 0,25 on both sides of both diagonals ONLY. When done , cut along the two diagonals AND the cross connecting side centers. Makes 8 HSTs. Trim if necessary.

SORRY Rose Marie, I didn't read your post before posting mine as I was interrupted.

Care to make a tutorial on this ???? Id like to see this..

The Quilt In A Day website has tutes for HST and flying geese. El burns methods are great.
I have posted the pics before on a blog awhile back. But would it be legal to give a tute of someone elses method?
So far I have found it to be the best way unless you are very good at making exact size HSTs. This way they are not on the bias and they turn out perfect.

Thanks Rose Marie.