Are thangles worth buying or in your opinion is it just as easy to mark your fabric and sew? What about accuracy?

The answer is a great big YES. They are worth it and they are very accurate. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

There are free downloadable graph pages which you size yourself....somebody posted it here, try the search facility, and in the meantime I will check my laptop..... :D

http://www.incompetech.com - try that and search for free graph paper, there are several to choose from which you size before printing. :D

Cool site, Izy.

What is a thangle?

It is a trademark for a pre-printed strip of paper which you stitch on like foundation piecing, giving you very accurate triangles, but you can download the freebies on the site I posted above :D

Try googling 'Thangles' so you can see how to use them!! :D

I am considering buying this CD to make triangles
Check it out
http://softexpressions.com/software/...angulation.php

My favorite method for making HST is to use the Angler 2. No marking! I love it. I found a youtube video that shows a good demo on it. It is pretty cheap and I use it ALL the time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CDjiNwjdxQ

I kept thinking the same thing when I used them to make a quilt with Jane Austen fabrics. It was fun learning a new technique, but I kept wondering why I didn't just cut the strips into squares, draw the line from corner to corner and then stitch 1/4" on each side of the line for a perfectly accurate half square triangle?

As for acuracy, some of my corners were off and I don't kow why. I like them to be Perfect. I used polka dot Moda fabric for the background and was disappointed at the fraying. I couldn't believe such an expensive fabric was so loosely woven. The fraying was made worse when I tried to remove the paper thangles.

In spite of it all the quilt turned out great and brought over $200 at a charity auction.

So, if you don't have good luck making half square triangles, buy the thangles. If you are still not sure, go to your quilt shop where they should have a buck a block program going and try your hand with a package that includes the pattern and fabric strips for a buck. The thangles are extra...about $6 for enough to make a large quilt.

:wink: Good luck, jo

collettaKay,
I remember a couple of posts from ShellyQ in the BOM/tutorial section and a list of square sizes/triangles needed site but can't seem to locate right now...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/8342.page
One of ShellyQs posts.

http://qi.yarnslave.com/Blocks/Trian...Triangles.html

Ah, here's the one. I knew I had it somewhere....planned to use it for the bear paw that my son is anxiously awaiting. Now you can make your own and see for yourself if they're helpful. I've used these for a sample block and I was very happy with it. My only problem was that the pattern I used for the triangles was small and not that straight when I cut my squares, which made them look off even though they were on point.

Hope this helps. Happy sewing!

I have used the paper method and even ordered all sizes of the interfacing kind But then I discoverd El Burns method and now I can make any size perfect and no cost or paper to deal with.
Do watch her videos on useing squares to make 8 half sq triangles. So easy and you get perfect half sqs because you square them up. I never could get perfect ones when cut exact size, some would just not be right and some would stretch out of shape.

I really prefer to draw the line and sew on either side. I never have to worry about having the right size, or paying someone when I can just do it myself for nothing. It's not hard and if your worried about being exactly on, you can always draw the line up the middle and then draw the "sew on" lines on either side.

ONce I was introduced to THANGLES .. a way to have perfect triangles.. I was amazed and never looked for other aids. I rely on they.. and they never ........NEVER let me down..

So I vote YES.. but.. I once I am hooked, I like my small world..

Check out quilt shows.. there are always little classes or demonstrations and vendors.. I love these oppertunties.. I found this Thangle thing out during a demonstration after a quilt own went to market.

So.. Hooked on THANGLES.. I vote yes.
Ellen

I went ahead and just marked my fabric and drew angles. The results are under the International Round Robin Round 1 thread. I'll just repost the pic here, too.

[IMG]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/SD530646.jpg[/IMG]

WOW!!!

Colletta - THAT is fabulous gal!!! so all the debating and you went and did it yourself, so that shows what talent you got going on there, well done!!

you are one talented quilter!

Beautiful

You definately don't need the Thangles. That is beautiful!

Thank you! It also shows my impatience!

Thangles are very accurate.
But there are other methods. Try them all.

If you want to make any size without paper and without marking, take a look at the free tip for making diagonal half-squares on kayewood.com.