Half Square Triangle question
 

Hi-

I need some help. I am looking at all these wonderful patterns online and alot of the squares have you cut 2 7/8th or 4 7/8ths etc. I bought a HST ruler to avoid cutting these strips and doing the whole sew on the diagonal thing..drives me nuts drawing the lines!

ANYWAYS, how do I use my ruler to make these HSTs? What is the actual size of these when cutting with a 7/8th measurement. I'm going batty!! But that could be because of this winter and MORE SNOW is on the way! GOOD TIMES!

Something with a 7/8 measurement will create a square unit (2 triangles) that has a 1/2 measurement.

(2 and 7/8 will become 2 and 1/2)

But, I do not know how to use the ruler you have.

And I am going batty too this winter so you are not alone there!

Some of the new rulers let's you cut the same size as if you were cutting a square. I have a new ruler that if I want to make a square two and a half you cut the stripps two and a half and use the ruler to make the triangles and they sew to two and a half. Is the ruler a triangle with a top corner cut off.

If you can tell us the brand and name of the ruler you have, we can give you better direction.
There are approximately 7,942 different rulers out there that 'help' with HSTs. OK, maybe I exaggerated just a bit...

I can't really help you with the ruler question. But - there is a Jenny Doan (Missouri Star Quilt Company) tutorial that is great. She used two charm squares, right sides together. Sew 1/4" all the way around the edge of the square. Cut twice on the diagonal and you have 4 HST's. Not sure if I can link it, so just google MSQC fast and easy pinwheel tutorial and that should bring it up for you. There are so many great blocks you can make using HST's!

Here's a link to the half-square-triangle technique that I've used with great success: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...s-t141047.html

I just use my normal ruler for HST's. Cut the next inch measurement up (4 7/8 direction; I cut 5"). Draw a line diagonally and sew on either side. This will result in the need for trimming but since I have a tough time doing HST's that aren't wonky with the 'correct' measurement, it works for me.

I make them big and cut them down. I have read and read about the right way to measure and it never fails that I end up with a few that are just a bit small anyway. I got a bloc loc ruler for this although I have not used it yet.

I don't do 7/8th inch measurements. I round up to 3 or 5 and then square up the hst to the correct size.

i also have have bloc locs and I use them every time I make half squares. I bought several sizes. I have tried MANY techniques to make accurate half squares.....this ended up being the best solution for me.