special ruler
 

Is there a special ruler to make half square triangles using the same size strip. Suppose I wanted to use 2 1/2 squares with half square triangles is there a ruler to make them with the 2 1/2 inch strips?

There are a few different ones out there. I have two: Easy Angle and Stripe Tube Ruler. Just google for more info. I have used the Easy Angle and like it pretty well. Have not tried the other yet...a little scared because you end up w/bias edges. One day I will try though, maybe w/a lot of starch.

Jp

Fons and Porter "half and quarter" ruler uses the same size strips for making HSTs and quarter square triangles.

Thank you. I will check to see if I or my friend has it. I bought a jelly roll and want to make a friendship st

I put my HST tute in the Tutorial section.
Sandy

Not a ruler but I've used "thangles" and really liked how easy they were. bonus is that they stabilized the bias edge.

i just saw whee you sew two strips together then lay the square of choice[center line ] on the sewing line cut and open .....

I just got a lock block ruler that is supposed to make squaring up half square triangles easier. I haven't used it yet.

I agree I use "thangles" too they prevent stretching http://www.thangles.com/video.html

I just completed a quilt using 2 1/2 inch strips and the Easy Angle Ruler. It turned out great! The pattern was called Twin Stars in the book titled Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott. The book says you need the Omnigrid 96 or 96L ruler (looks similar to the East Angle) and provides instructions and diagrams to cut the 1/2 sq triangles.
I attempted to insert a picture of my quilt, but I couldn't get it to load. Sure wish I was a little more computer literate.

There's a little marking tool sold by Sally Schneider called a Gizmo that will let you make 2.5 inch HST from 2.5 inch strips. I think you can use it on strips up to about 5 or 6 inches wide.

My favorite way is to make 8 at a time.
For 2 1/2 in use two 6 in sqs. draw an x and sew down both sides of lines. Cut in half both ways then on lines. Square up slightly. I like Quilt In A Days triangle sq up ruler as it only requires one cut.
For larger sizes just add 2 in to squares. 8 in for 3 1/2.
And no bias edges.

Here's a way to do them without using a ruler.
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Check out Rhonda's tutorials on this board. She shows many efficient methods with lots of photos and examples.

I have Kimberley Einmo flying geese ruler that also cuts triangles.

I use the Joid Barrows Square in a Square ruler. Love it , you can make 4 half square triangles a one time. You can find it at: www.squareinasquare.com , you might want to at least check it out.

My favorite way is to make the strips 1/8 to 1/4 inch larger than the HST is want (plus the seam allowance). In other words, I want 2" finished half squares. I cut my strips into 3" size (2 plus 7/8 seam plus 1/8 overage). Then cut them into 3 inch squares. I use a product called Stitching Lines to mark sewing lines, sew and cut. Set seam, press square and trim down with Bloc-Lock ruler. Perfect every time. Little more trouble but perfect for Edyta Sitar quilts some of which are all HSTs.

I love Deb Tucker's "Tucker Trimmer."

http://www.studio180design.net/videos/?id=9

boy, so many options. off to try several and see what works best for me. I have several rulers and it helps knowing the proper math!

Wright's EZ Angle is my absolute "go to" when i want to use a ruler to cut my HST from strips the same size as i'm using for the squares. it's easy. it's accurate. it's not as expensive as a lot of the other specialty rulers on the market.

I like the Fons and Porter one Indycat talked about and really like it.

I like the Wonder Cut ruler, You cut two strips and sew together and cut them apart but placing the ruler and cutting.
very quick and simple. Plus it does other squares. Here is the web site for demos wondercutruler.com

Block loc rulers are the best I've found for squaring up half square triangles.

The only way I've been consistently successful is Brenda Henning's Triangulations! I own the 3.0 version, it's a CD-Rom half-square and quarter-square triangles construction 1/2" to 7.5" in 1/6" increments. She also includes tamed flying geese 1/2 X 1" to 3.75 X 7.5"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z6o7Bh7MYg

For some reason it won't link but if you copy and paste the above addy... will take you to an overview from Connecting Threads. She is showing the 2.0 but they are now selling the 3.0 that includes the Flying Geese.

Thanks for the reminder. I have the triangulations cd but never used it. totally forgot I had it. lol. I can use it with the loc block ruler.

June taylor perfect half square triangle ruler it squares them up as well as has a line so you can draw the lines in the middle of fabric to sew you have to see it, its like a shape cut ruler its nice I am getting one

I think the idea was to use a jelly roll and make both squares and half-square triangles from the same strip size that would fit together. Yes, you can use the Easy Angle ruler and use a 2 1/2 inch strip to make 2 in finished half square triangles. YOu can also use the omnigrid 98L to make right triangles from strips also.

Gale, I love my Loc-Bloc ruler. My HSTs were never nice until I invested in this great tool. You won't be disappointed.
peace