bluechicken was looking for a method for cutting and piecing square in a square. this is the method that works best for me.

http://www.hgtv.com/videos/super-fas...ting/4431.html


because members were having trouble with the old 'easy' method or having trouble with the link, my friend and i developed a similar but EASIER method.

i think everyone will love it.

here goes:

cut out your square. whatever size you like. i don't know what the size
ratio will be. you'll have to test that.

fold up/down on center.
fold side to side on center.
fold the points in to the the center. make sure the folds all meet.
the folding is done.

draw a straight line from center side to center side, all around that
inside diamond 1/4" in, toward the center.
the measuring is finished.

cut on that 1/4" line.

two suggestions: try it first on paper before you try it on fabric, then try it
on one layer of fabric before you stack fabrics.

do not move the fabric while cutting. keep those cut
away triangle where they are.

you should get the same result with out the mat instructions.

in the drawings, the dotted lines are the ones being desrcibed in the text. not the solid lines.

use a ruler longer that the cutting line and cut right off the cutting line.

well, it is described very well, by both of you, B. thanks :D

I don't actually get this. Anyway, my problem seems to be one step down the road from this. I can get the triangles around the square just fine. I use this method:


(I see the file isn't as clear uploaded. I can't remember how I did this last time. If you click Download and open it in Windows Paint, it's clear.)

if you have exactly 1/4" seam allowance around the "finished" square, you should sew other pieces to them using what's called a "scant quarter inch". a scant quarter inch is really 3/16" of an inch.

the reason for using a scant QI is that the thickness of the thread and the fold back "eats" about a 16th of an inch at the seam.

Thank you for the definition of "scant quarter inch"! No I can get my super precise husband to mark that on my machine!

Which side has the 3/16" seam? The "finished" square? The next outer piece? Both sides?

wow thanks for the link. it sure looked easy. :D

I don't do anythingn so elaborate to measure....I cut the middle square and lay my 12" ruler on the 45º line on the top of the square and measure on the left side. Add 1/2" and cut a square that size and then cut diagonally across. you need two squares cut diagonally and then sew to two sides, press and sew to the other sides and square it up making sure you have 1/4" at the points. Sure proof everytime....BTY, I have two boughten SQ in SQ rulers and never could figure them out. LOL