What do you call the technique for making HST
 

I need some help today please!!!
What do you call the technique for making HST when you sew 2 square blocks right side together 1/4" from the outer edge then criss cross x cut corner to corner to make 4 HST?
And does anyone have a link that defines what size blocks give what size HST's?
Thanks in advance!

What you describe will give you four quarter square triangles (QST) - with all bias edges!! The formula for sizes is usually add 7/8 inch to the desired finished block size for a HST and 1 1/4 inch for a QST. Personally, I always add 1 inch for a HST and 1 1/2 for a QST and then square them up to correct size after sewing. Do a Google search for HSTs and/or QSTs and you will find several links with instructions. The best way to get QSTs with straight of grain edges is to sew HSTs first, pair them up and sew in the opposite diagonal.

I'm sorry - you will get HSTs with the technique you described - but as I said, with all bias edges. Avoid that if at all possible - ask me how I know!

Missouri Star Quilts has a tutorial for this technique. I'm not sure what it's called.

Thanks - i know how to make them - just wondering what the technique was called and the formula... :)

I believe the formula for doing it by sewing all four sides & then diagonally cutting is to multiply the desired finished size by 1.64 - 3 inch finished multiplied by 1.64 equals 4.92. Again round up (two 5 inch squares) and them trim to proper size after sewing. I don't know if there is any particular name for the method.

I use Ta-Da 1/2 square triangle iron-on fusible on a fat quarter. It is great, especially when you have to make lots of them.

That is an interesting way to make 1/2 square triangles! I prefer to use squares placed on right sides together, then mark a diagonal line, then sew 1/4 inch on each side of the line. Cut on the line.

I don't know that it has a name, but I recently tried a crib quilt using pinwheels I made with them and loved it. Go for it and see what you think. I like the, cut them big and square up later idea too though.

I'd go to the dentist every day of the year before using the bias edged HST. The on grain edge block is so easy to do, I seen no reason to make life difficult.

I had made a chevron quilt with this method - it was super easy and quick and came out square and with no issues. I guess in my case, ignorance is bliss lol.

Thanks! I appreciate your help!

BUT IF YOU CUT THE STRIPS OF FABRIC (FROM WHICH YOU MAKE YOUR STARTING SQUARES) ON THE BIAS, ALL YOUR HST EDGES WILL BE ON THE STRAIGHT OR CROSS GRAIN. Don't shy away from trying this! Just let the feed dogs do all the work feeding the fabric to eliminate any distortion of fabric edges. I use this method a lot when I have to make a lot of HSTs from the same two selected fabrics.

I have seen this method referred to as the "sewn squares method."

:) Use the search for this site -- there have been several postings about hsts, including some charts and measurements -- I was fascinated, for some reason, by the idea of 2 9-1/2 inch squares making 4 6-1/2 inch hsts -- it worked beautifully -- I did use starch and ironed out my hsts -- my points on my carpenter's wheel looked great -- there has been a post about making 16 at one time, too!!:eek: I'm into easy!!

You just gave me an AHA moment - start on the bias!!!!!! I'm gonna try that.

I use triangles on a roll or one of my quilt books has the outline for common sizes. IF you are looking for a certain standard size let me know and I might have that size. You can just photocopy the sheet of paper pin it to the fabrics and sew and then cut. I am doing a wedding gift with over 800 2 inch 1/2 square triangles and it takes the pain out of bias edges :)

Fast and Easy Pinwheels on Missouri Star

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E

They also have one from, I think, 3 dudes(2 dudes?) in AZ that she did with the same process only you start with blocks cut from strip sets. Put them together opposite directions and cut. Makes an interesting block. I have a stack of them made, just have to sew them together :o) Ann

Make sure to starch the fabric before doing the HSTs that way. The starch will give you extra body for those pesky bias edges.

With bias edges make sure you starch them well & handle them carefully & you should be okay. Starch really helps.

I found a ruler, Easy Triangle Tool, that makes half-square triangles so easy. They need very little squaring up. The tool costs about $14.95. I don't buy a lot of rulers but wouldn't be without this one. Any pattern with HSTs is my favorite so this tool really is handy.

I have used this technique before and did not have any problems

The Quilts of Valor 10th Anniversary Block instructions has a really easy way to make HST needed for their block. Has anyone else seen it, its so easy. What I was wondering was how you could adapt this method to get different sizes of
HST. Does anybody know?

db

I have added to my favorites Missouri Star Quilt Company. I go there for many of my inquiries.

I use sqs to make 8 hst at a time. 6 in sqs for 2 1/2 -- 8 in for 3 1/2. Just add 2 in for each size up. Draw an x and sew 1 /4 in on each side of lines. Cut in half both ways then on lines.
Then I use Quilt In A Days triangle sq up ruler for one cut sq up. Fast and perfect every time.

That looks like a real time saver. Thanks!

Hello, I'm from Germany and I know this method as "Sandwich Technique"! And I made a tutorial where you can calculate how big the squares have to be for a certain HST square. But it's in centimeters and till now only in German.... But if it's wanted I try it in English. And I don't know whether I'm allowed to make a link here, if interested send me a PM!!!

I find this the easiest, too, though I've never found paper that was lightweight enough to tear away easily. They say the kind of paper in Big Chief tablets is good but I don't know how well it will feed thru my printer. Anyway, it is a good, accurate way of making HSTs. IMO.

This link has a chart for starting and ending sizes when using the sewn square method:

http://whipup.net/2011/03/17/guest-b...are-triangles/

Jenny from Missouri Star Quilt Co. has a tutorial on this. She mentioned she doesn't have a problem with bias edges, but if you do, then use spray starch so they won't go wonky on you. Looks like a quick and easy way to make HST's.

If you use the "sewn squares" method of taking two squares, placing them right sides together, stitching around the 4 edges...first STARCH THEM until they feel like they could stand alone (like card stock). I would starch the fabric no matter what method you use. I always make the squares slightly larger and cut to size.
Better to have to trim down a hair, than have to redo a seam because they are too small.
Marge

Multiple Half square Triangles
 

I have tried the method you are refering to and my hst's didn't hold their shape and some stretched while I tried to sew them together. However I have been using the method Eleanor Burns uses to make multiple hst. Here is a link that you can watch to walk you through her method. She uses the method alot so you can pick almost any video with hst's and see how it is done. Hope this helps.

http://vimeo.com/album/1321436/video/15469320

If scroll down on the page you will see to the right where it mentions videos, groups, channel and album. I usually choose videos. Then watch and learn how she does different technics. I just finished a top that I call "HST Stain Glass" 8 different panels. I sewed 8 sets in less than an hour and a half. Got 104 hst. Then used a square up ruler to square all of them up. I will post a pic later when it is all together.