My arms are falling off!!
08-10-2021, 09:22 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,932
I think we have all been there! When making a million HST’s I opt for the Magic 8 method and, like Tartan, divvy up the amount I do in a day so that I don’t get bored or lose interest in the project. I think we all have moments where we are loving what we are working on and spend all day working on it or the complete opposite where we wonder what we were thinking starting it! Don’t forget to share your progress with us!
08-10-2021, 09:49 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,513
I love my bloc loc rulers. My friend swears by thangles. But what happens if you are a little too aggressive taking off the paper or pressing. You would then have distorted HST's . I'd rather make them a little bigger and take the time to trim them to the proper size.
I agree--set yourself a daily goal and keep another project handy.
I agree--set yourself a daily goal and keep another project handy.
08-10-2021, 10:37 AM
#13
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,179
Originally Posted by tallchick
I think we have all been there! When making a million HST’s I opt for the Magic 8 method and, like Tartan, divvy up the amount I do in a day so that I don’t get bored or lose interest in the project. I think we all have moments where we are loving what we are working on and spend all day working on it or the complete opposite where we wonder what we were thinking starting it! Don’t forget to share your progress with us!
08-10-2021, 01:21 PM
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,715
Originally Posted by GingerK
...............I'd rather make them a little bigger and take the time to trim them to the proper size........
SusieQOH ... when I see your arms falling off, my mind goes to a lot of trimming, with a poor blade. Change that blade up and it will save your arms!
08-10-2021, 03:32 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,422
What size are the HST units?
Using the 8 at a time method, just enlarge it to make more units. Take a large sheet of paper and draw them out on grid on the paper. Be sure to add the seam allowance. I used freezer paper for an example to play with sizing and was able to make 48 at a time.
Put the 2 fabrics right side together. Mark the cutting lines and then and sew diagonally across each side of the cutting line. Sew all the way across the fabric. You need to cut in between the sewing lines and also the squares. You will be cutting the whole line at once instead of square by square.
You will square these into the units size you need.
Example of method. Just use bigger pieces of fabric.
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/magi...-units-2821440
Using the 8 at a time method, just enlarge it to make more units. Take a large sheet of paper and draw them out on grid on the paper. Be sure to add the seam allowance. I used freezer paper for an example to play with sizing and was able to make 48 at a time.
Put the 2 fabrics right side together. Mark the cutting lines and then and sew diagonally across each side of the cutting line. Sew all the way across the fabric. You need to cut in between the sewing lines and also the squares. You will be cutting the whole line at once instead of square by square.
You will square these into the units size you need.
Example of method. Just use bigger pieces of fabric.
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/magi...-units-2821440
08-10-2021, 03:54 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,457
I can trim a ton of HST's if I divide the task in smaller batches.
I also find it easier on me if I cut/sew/press/trim in small batches
rather than doing all the cutting, then all the sewing, etc.
Now I'm curious what pattern you're making.
I also find it easier on me if I cut/sew/press/trim in small batches
rather than doing all the cutting, then all the sewing, etc.
Now I'm curious what pattern you're making.
08-11-2021, 03:08 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Portage, Michigan
Posts: 7,398
Anxious to see what you are working on!. I made one quilt that used 480 HSTs. That was doable but it sounds like you are making many more than that. Please leave our arms in place it is so messy when they fall off. When you throw out the blocks out the window, let us know, we will come and rake them up for our own projects. 
08-11-2021, 03:21 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,571
I'm not a fan of Thangles at all! I've used them in projects where they were specified and hated them. Did not see any advantage as I still needed to square up the units.
One thing I have found very helpful for squaring up HST's in particular is a rotating mat. I love that thing! Still a very tedious process but much easier spinning the mat than the HST unit.
One thing I have found very helpful for squaring up HST's in particular is a rotating mat. I love that thing! Still a very tedious process but much easier spinning the mat than the HST unit.
