I always make them a little bigger then square them up with a bloc loc ruler. Perfect half-square triangles!!!!!

I have never sucessfully made one! I've tried until I've wanted either scream and/or cry!!! Sorry I can't be of any assistance here! :(

Thanks Jan! Hopefully this will help me... lol

...and be sure and check your seam allowance. I believe it is most important to use the scant 1/4" seam allowance.

@ Jan: That was a great tuorial! Thank you!!

I also make mine larger, like if it says to make the squares 3 7/8", I will make mine at least 4", and often even a little larger than that. I then go on and make my hst, and then trim it to the right size. I know this wastes a little bit of fabric, but it is well worth it to me to get the hst consistently the right size...otherwise I have to try and iron them even, or go back and take them out and try and re-sew them...I actually have done the latter, before I decided much better for me to start with my squares larger.
Good luck to you,
Kif

I make my initial squares one inch larger than the "finished" unit size I want. This gives me 1/8" to cut away. If you still have trouble, add 1 1/4" instead. Press carefully with sizing or starch, then as NativeTexan says, use your 45* mark on your ruler. I do it exactly as she says and get perfect HSTs every time. Once you have mastered the knack, huge numbers of tricky blocks and patterns are suddenly easy. This skill is one of the important basics in lots of quilting and gives one greast joy once mastered.

I try to avoid them, they make me cry!

Yep, I make mine slightly larger. Then I use my Bias Square Up Ruler to trim the HST down to size. I've never had a problem matching.

The ruler is by That Patchwork Place/Martingale.

ali

I also think that they need to be cut 7/8 of an inch larger, not 3/8. I am sure that the difference in that measurement is your problem.