I am having some real trouble getting the 1/4" seam allowance needed for half square triangles - Does anyone have a hint or a tip which might help.
Thanks
Terry

I make the HST larger, and then trim to the precise size!

AMEN sister!!! :thumbup:

Terry, I just made a quilt completely out of HST. I have the June Tailor ruler and also starched the heck out of them. They came out fine. I use Mary Ellen's Best Press- that's great stuff- no residue.

There is nothing better than Mary Ellen's Best Press! I water mine down with the same results as full strength and that makes it last a long time!!!

You can also check out Triangles on a roll. I use this all the time and my HST turn out absoutly perfect. You can order on line and the rolls last a long time. Saves time in marking you sewing lines and very little waste. I also starch mine with Mary Ellen's.

try putting your two squares right sides together- draw a diagonal line- corner to corner- stitch 1/4" on each side of the line- cut on the line= 2 perfect 1/2 square triangle blocks.

Thangles is a similar method ... and also you can get some copycat versions online that you can print for free.

I am glad to read this information as I am fixing to make a queen size quilt that is entirely half square triangles and I am a bit worried how it is going to come together. But I am still going to do it! :)

There is a method where you create a tube and use a triangle ruler to cut a bunch of them. I think it is a Missouri Star tutorial video.

Thanks for the ideas - I am looking into the triangulations program and the thangles.
Terry

Here's one
http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca/Hal...-Triangle.html
and I also believe there are HST printouts on
http://www.quilterscache.com

Plus ... you could always make your own!

I had trouble w/HSTs until I started used Mary Ellen's instead of regular spray starch. That stuff is magic. Use it all the time now.

Sometimes, after I have made the HST's where you put two squares together and stitch 1/4 " from each side of the diagonal line you draw on the lighter square, when I cut them apart, they don't necessarily have the 1/4 " seam but they are the right size. Hope that's clear. Haven't had my morning cup-a-joe. :)

If that is happening, then you mustn't be stitching 1/4" on each side of the line!

I tend to keep mine a little narrower ... and then it lets me trim and square it up for precision!

I use a "scant" 1/4" seam.

I also use this method, but move my needle just a tad towards the right of center, this works for me.

May I ask how much water to put in to dilute it in what size bottle? Very interested. I have found I love this stuff to iron with period. I don't have that many clothes that have to be ironed tho.

This is how I make them... and I'm a novice... they come out really nice... To make Quarter square triangles, you simply repeat the process... Place the two HSTs right sides together, draw a line perpendicular to the seam from corner to corner, sew 1/4" on each side of the line, then cut on the line...

The only thing is, I can't remember how large to make the original block to get the size HST or QST you need... My QSTs started out as 6 1/2" blocks and ended up 6" blocks... I guess the 1/4" seams explains that... (not a math person..sigh)

Just finished the blocks for a dog bed out of old jeans using this technique...