I agree; in the long run it is cheaper.

I purchased the Trianglulations software and just tracing paper from the $ store to make my own. It saves a lot of money and I have any size of HST that I might need right on hand.
You can also go to quilt pro.com and they have triangle magic software and it is even in 1/8 increments. It is a little cheaper and you can either order it w/a cd or download for even cheaper. I want to try it also

I have made the Thangles Orion's Star that you asked about. I don't know how to link to one of my previous posts, but if you check my listing of topics and look under "I have been busy" message there is a photo of my quilt called Northern Lights. thanks ARE accurate - no doubt about it. Having to tear off all those little pieces of paper is a bummer but easy to do sitting in front of the TV and keeping your hands busy. Remember to shorten your stitch length a little and fold them over first, then they tear off easily. There ARE other ways to make this quilt as talked about above, but Thangles worked well for me. But them at a quilt shop. Okay, I CAN learn new things - here's the link to my photo?http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-129491-1.htm

My solution, exactly. I nearly went nuts trying to make hst's until I got my LQS to order me the CD Triangulations. No more problems, easy as can be and I can print any size I want.

The best question is: Where was the world Thangles started and how long ago. Than-gles.

Here is a good demonstration blog about Thangles. I've been making them for years, without a template. Who knows!

http://www.sews.com/quilting/thangles/thangles.html

I have some Thangles but have never used them as I bought this book, my quilting bible: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotary-Magic...9093476&sr=8-3 ,about the same time and use her method, measure up and trim down, for example 3 7/8" squares = "4, I then treated myself to this Eleanor Burns ruler http://www.eleanorburns.com/shoponli...?i=24805&page= and have never had any trouble with doing HSTs fast and correct, less messing about than paper templates IMO

If you want batiks, Sylvie, to to www.batiksetc.com . The owner of that shop in VA is also an outstanding teacher.

I hope it isn't verbotten to make an unsolicited plug on this board.

Jane

Those methods use squares to make HST. Thangles uses rectangles. Once you've cut your strips to 2.5 it's not possible to make a 2 inch HST using any square method. You are either stuck with the Thangles or you can use the "Gizmo."

The Gizmo can be found here, http://sallyschneider.com/

Thanks for the info. Will check it out. Finding it difficult to find batiks in pastel colours - no pattern, but truthfully I haven't looked in a year or so.