Need some help Please... again !
 

All right guys and gals... I have been working on my Alpine Cross quilt, the red, white and black one. Last night was the worst night ever for me and that pattern. My HST's are not turning out right, I measure, remeasure, then cut the fabric, but the fabric is NOT co-operating. Is there any trick to getting HST's to turn out RIGHT?

Thanks in advance everyone :D

Jo

Make a little bigger than required and trim down?

That is what I have to do also. I am not that good at it, so this works for me.

There are many different ways to make HST's. How are you doing it? Are you first cutting triangles and then sewing the triangles together? Or are you cutting squares first, sewing twice down the center, and then cutting? Or.....?

If you are doing either of the two above methods, I would advise starching the fabric as heavily as possible before cutting the triangles or squares. This stabilizes the fabric so it is much less likely to stretch or distort while you are sewing and pressing.

Cutting over-sized and then trimming down is very accurate, but it does add some time to the process. If I were using this method for making lots of HST's, I would invest in the appropriate size Bloc Loc ruler: http://blocloc.com/

My current favorite method for making HST's is to cut triangles using the Accuquilt Go! The Go cuts very accurately and lops off the "dog ears", making matching up the ends very easy. I do not pre-wash my fabric so I don't have to starch, as there is enough sizing in the fabric already to keep the triangles stable once they are cut.

I also like using Thangles to make HST's. This method is very accurate, but you do have the extra step of removing the paper. These are widely available, but here is a link to their home page: http://www.thangles.com/howtheywork.html

My best guess about your problem is that, even though you are taking care when cutting, the triangles are getting distorted when being handled and sewn. Remember, you are sewing bias edges together, and bias edges are very prone to stretching.

I vouch for the BlocLoc ruler.

It could be a problem with pressing. Are you moving your iron when you press the HST's? That will distort them every time. Instead just lay the iron on the seam for a second or two.

Deb Tucker's TUCKER TRIMMER make perfect HST'S everytime.

MaryJo, it would be really helpful to pinpoint your problem if you would describe the method you are using to make your HSTs. There are many variables.

I am doing the "old school" method.... line down the middle on light fabric, 1/4" on either side then cutting, pressing seams open. I'm gonna check out those rulers.... definitely could use some help, considering the whole quilt is HST :D

How big are your square units after you sew them?

You did pick a challenging pattern for a beginner - not impossible - but the units do need to be the "right size" in order to fit together properly.

So if I remember correctly, your squares need to 7/8 larger than your finished unit with that method. Is that what you are doing? Someone correct me if I'm wrong about that measurement.

According to the size thread you are using, you may need to be making a scant 1/4 inch seam. Are your HST's too small or out of shape or what?

This is correct, but I always start with my squares 1" larger, then trim my HST squares to the correct size.

I recently bought an Easy Angle ruler and find that I have good luck with it. With it, you cut both strips WST to the size of the finished HST. Then use the ruler to cut the triangles, rotating the ruler to use up the fabric. Then sew a consistent 1/4" seam on the bias edge. I used to do it your way and love the fact that I don't have to trim anything anymore.

Make them slightly oversize then trim to actual size.

This is exactly what I do as well. Never get them the right size any other way.

Oh, and I forgot to mention (though others did mention it) the Tucker Trimmer is an awesome tool to have for HST. A regular square up ruler will get the job done, but the markings on the TT are easy to read and just simplify the process for me.

There are lots of ways to make HSTs, but whichever way you use, don't try and cut the pieces to size before you sew. Cut them larger, then trim them down. When you trim, make sure that the seam is exactly on the 45 degree diagonal. It should go precisely thru the corner. The normal method is to start with squares 7/8" larger than your target size. Most folks round up to 1"' but if you are a newish quilter, I would make them even larger, adding a quarter inch or more. As your skills improve, you can scale this back. Hst tools are great, and I second the mention of the bloc loc rulers. A bit pricey, but worth it to me

Yes, this was one of the first rulers/templates I bought way back when, and it is a very good way to make hsts if you are making quite a few out of the same color combo........

I don't like buying rulers that have only a specific purpose. I always thought the Bloc Loc ruler was one of those rulers. I used one at a guild workshop and love it. I came home and ordered a bloc Loc ruler right away. My favorite way to make HST is the method where you make 8 at once. There are tutorials for it online.

I am working on a quilt that is made of up a lot of 2" finished squares and HSTs. I cut my HST to be 3". The HSTs come out perfectly after I trim them down to 2.5".

Good luck! I hear your frustration. I do hope you find the solution to your problem so you won't feel so frustrated.

Look like the solution is to make larger and trim down. That's what I do too. I'm amazed that so many of us find that's the way to go. I know f&P has mentioned when you sew, don't sew exactly on the line. Make room for the fabric to fold over.

I also like the 8 at a time method (here's a YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saBKMqyw-0E) and the brilliant woman behind Sew Preeti Quilts (http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.ca/) has made it possible for me to finally manage a successful hourglass block. She also has a tutorial for Pinwheels that would work for HST if you used (2) four patches instead of a 4 patch and a plain square. Good luck!

Have you seen this tutorial? I'm impressed! You might like it, too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A91W0tUTFyg

I usually start with the fabric cut a little bigger than necessary and trim down to size after sewing. Might waste a tiny bit but it is easier for me.

Try thangles. Perfect HSTs every time.

http://sundaybestquiltworks.com/sten...etriangle.html

i promised myself that I would never make a lot of HST and then I discovered these stencils. I love them! I am currently working on a pattern that uses 1" size and am amazed at how simple and exact it is. My guild recently made a donation quilt with all HST. The members that used the template had the best results on their blocks by far. If you happen to order please mention that Kaye from Macon recommended this. I will be rewarded with a smile the next time I visit the shop which is about two hours from where I live.

This is my favorite method too. The other thing is handle GENTLY when pressing. Press each corner first, then the rest of the seam.

I will never buy a cutter, as the dies are so expensive, but I did purchase triangulations quite a few yrs. ago and downloaded it to my computer. Bring it up, find the finished size you want, for any sized HST, print off a whole page , put your two different fabrics on the unprinted side, sew on the lines, cut apart and voila, you have perfect HST's. You do have to then take the paper off the back, but if you use a small stitch, it is pretty easy and well worth the effort to have perfect HST's.

Recently I made a Hunter's star quilt for my charity group. Here's my take on hst's: make a bit larger and Starch the fabric to hold shape. This workes very well.

Good luck!
Kathy

There is some half square triangle paper on a roll . It is the easiest for me and it is always perfect. Google half square triangle paper and you can find where to buy it online. Some quilt stores will carry it. comes in different sizes, look for the finished size that you need. you put your 2 pieces of fabric right sides together, place your triangle paper on top. sew on the sewing lines, then cut on the cutting lines and like magic....you have a lot of half square triangles in no time and they are all perfect!!

thanks for all the wonderful advice !!! I'll keep chugging along, and I'll get it :D

I am usually using the same method you described but like most have said I make them slightly larger then trim, I have never bought a special ruler for hst although I have used thangles but they were just to try them out. I started out making HST the Eleanor Burns way and didn't feel the need to change. I have to admit that I have also used Jenny Doan's method at times but that bias I think is more easily stretched than others.