Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Trimming half square triangles? >
  • Trimming half square triangles?

  • Trimming half square triangles?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 02-12-2010, 07:20 AM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    LucyInTheSky's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2009
    Location: Seattle
    Posts: 1,743
    Default

    I'm getting ready to do a quilt with half square triangles. I like the method where I sew a square twice, cut, press, and have 2 triangles. My cuts are going to be 5 7/8", finishing at 5"

    What I've seen suggested is to cut 6" rather than 5 7/8" and then trim down. What I'm wondering is assuming I do that, when I go to trim them, can I just line up the center on my 45 deg line and cut from there? (I would be exposing top and side of the block, and cutting both at once). Do I need to worry about bottom and other side?

    I did something else where I needed to line up the center point at the middle of the ruler size, and carefully cut to keep it even and I had to rotate it a few times. I *think* that for a half square triangle, as long as I'm on the 45 deg line, it shouldn't matter, and I shouldn't need to worry about getting the center exactly centered on the ruler to trim, but I'm just not sure....
    LucyInTheSky is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 07:27 AM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    grammyp's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Alabama
    Posts: 2,474
    Default

    I never seem to be able to get my HSTs to come out perfect, so I always make them just the bit larger and trim to size. For me, I'm just so much happier with the product it is well worth the time it takes.

    Once you have the HSTs, you press open then just line up on the diagonal and trim. The first time trim as little as possible, rotate the block and make sure it is lined up on your 5 inch mark, then trim to size. I put painters tape on my ruler where I need to line up, just makes it a bit easier for me.
    grammyp is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 07:36 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
    Posts: 7,014
    Default

    It seems to work for me by using the diagonal line. If I have a square the right size, I like to use it but if not a regular ruler will work, too.
    Lisa_wanna_b_quilter is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 07:37 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    justwannaquilt's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: Union, Missouri
    Posts: 1,542
    Default

    I always trim using the center "cross hair" seams as my quide. I know that if I want a 5 inch FINISHED square I have to trim it to 5 1/2 so from center to one side is going to be 2 3/4inches so I line the center vert. and horiz. lines up with 2 3/4 and then trim two sides (top and side). turn and do the same thing for the other two sides and I end up with a 5 1/2 inch square.
    justwannaquilt is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 07:39 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Marcia's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2008
    Location: Georgia
    Posts: 5,552
    Default

    I have always squared mine up just like Grammy P--line up the diagonal, trim two sides, rotate, trim the other two sides.

    I just bought Eleanor Burn's ruler for squaring up HST and am anxious to use it. Before you press your block open, you line up the seam and trim. Then when you press the block open it is trimmed and the correct size.

    This is what it looks like-- http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...p?i=1087&page=
    Marcia is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 07:56 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2007
    Location: Clay Springs AZ
    Posts: 3,229
    Default

    I have been using El Burns triangle square up ruler for a long time. It is the best investment I ever made. Got it at Joanns with a coupon.
    You only make one cut to square up any size up to 6 1/2 inches. Place the ruler on the stitch line before opening and line up with one edge and cut the other. Perfect HST every time.
    I also use her method for making 8 HSTs at a time and whip them out very fast.
    Rose Marie is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 08:34 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    justwannaquilt's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: Union, Missouri
    Posts: 1,542
    Default

    HAHA, maybe thats why I do it the hard way because I don't have that handy dandy square it up ruler. I might just have to invest in one.
    justwannaquilt is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 08:38 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2009
    Location: Central PA
    Posts: 5,573
    Default

    Originally Posted by Rose Marie
    I have been using El Burns triangle square up ruler for a long time. It is the best investment I ever made. Got it at Joanns with a coupon.
    You only make one cut to square up any size up to 6 1/2 inches. Place the ruler on the stitch line before opening and line up with one edge and cut the other. Perfect HST every time.
    I also use her method for making 8 HSTs at a time and whip them out very fast.
    I just got the Elanor Burns Square up ruler. I have a problem knowing what size to square the triangle to to get the right sized block, but I will continue to work on that. How does she make 8 at once? I have normally stayed away from HST because I never like the results, but would love any suggestions.
    nursie76 is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 09:19 AM
      #9  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Location: oklahoma
    Posts: 522
    Default

    I really like E. B.square up ruler. I can make 8 at a time,if needed, very easily.
    It is the ony way I seem to be able to get good results.I used to get very upset when I tried to make hsts and they were uneven or not the right size.
    jacee kay is offline  
    Old 02-12-2010, 09:56 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    LoisN's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Hannibal, Missouri
    Posts: 1,258
    Default

    I was being "brain dead" in a workshop and the instructor gave me a tip. Since I am right-handed, I needed to put the 1/2 square triangle on the cutting board with the diagonal oriented from the lower left to upper right. Then my ruler lined up correctly. Duh!!!
    LoisN is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Glenda m
    Pictures
    10
    04-14-2015 01:06 PM
    Glenda m
    Pictures
    45
    10-10-2014 11:52 AM
    sondray
    Links and Resources
    0
    07-11-2009 04:57 PM
    sondray
    Links and Resources
    0
    04-16-2009 05:01 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter