Large HSTs, best way?
 

Making a twin-size quilt with 8, 9 or maybe 10" HST blocks, a special kid in my life requested a quilt with "big triangles and cool fabric." I tried making a couple large HSTs with scraps using the methods I googled, having trouble getting them squared, I found a Quilt in a Day triangle that seems in the demos like it would work well, also found Bloc Loc, the demos look really good for that ruler too. I've seen similar older threads but everyone seems to be making much smaller HSTs and this little one wants "big, so I can see the stuff on the fabric." Has anyone done large HSTs, tips to share? I don't have any fancy rulers, just a 6"x24", are they worth the money?

The largest ruler I have is 12.5 x 12.5. I like it. I also have the 6x24. I love being able to plop the 12x12 down and cutting a larger square or squaring a large block. My favorite HST method is two squares, sew 1/4 around the edges then cut in an X for 4 HST's. But it all depends upon how big is "big" for the child.

I also think a 12.5 X 12/5 ruler is a good investment. Squaring up blocks before assembly is a good practice, so you can use the ruler after this project.
I LOVE my bloc loc rulers, but for large HST a regular square ruler should be good.

just be sure to place your 45 degree line on your ruler in the corners or seam across your block. this will insure you cut it correctly. trim two sides and turn block 180 degrees and place ruler again, trim the other two sides if necessary. any ruler with this degree line should work for you . Good luck.

I paper piece my HST. Draw a square 1 inch larger then you want the finished HST. Draw a diagonal line. Draw a line 1/4" to each side of the diagonal line. These are your sewing lines. Place 2 fabrics with right sides together and sew on the 1/4" lines. Cut apart on the diagonal line. Press HST open (I press to the dark side). Trim to desired size (will be very close - you might only have to trim the dog ears). You now have made 2 HSTs.

Hope this helps.

The problem with HSTs made the way toverly mentioned is all of the bias cuts to deal with even on smaller HSTs. If you used this method with really large squares it would really be difficult to manage all that bias. I think it would be better to use the method whereby you draw a diagonal line through your square and stitch 1/4 inch on either side of the line. Press carefully with the seam going to the dark side and then square up. You have much less bias to deal with this way. If you are going to use bigger squares you can use lines on your cutting mat.

I love the magic 8 method, but it only works if you want 8 of the same thing.

https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01...quare-triangle

I, too, cut my squares 1" larger than the finished size I want. Draw the diagonal line, sew 1/4" on either side. I then trim placing the 45 degree marker on my ruler on the seam line and trim. It's added steps but, for me, ensures, accurate blocks.

I don't have any specialty rulers. I do have a 6.5 x 24; a 12.5 square and a couple of other smaller rulers but that's it. For a 8-10" HST block you may need a 12.5 square ruler to easily square HST's that large. But it would not be a bad investment either. Bloc-loc's; tri-recs; etc. I don't bother with. Just the basics. And try to stay within the same manufacturer of your other rulers.

My graphic for making and squaring HSTs.

Jan in VA