Wonderful tute Rhonda!!! Thanks for taking the time and for adding the pictures, too :D :D :D

Many Thanks for the fantastic tut

Since I start out with the cut down method I don't generally check each block unless one is obviously not the same as the rest but I do measure a lot along the way.
I pay particular attention to the corners(blocks and 4 patches etc all along the way) being square. If you are sewing along an edge that is not straight your seam will be off at the end where the block might have a bit of a flare to it or is too short etc. This is usually the first mistake that starts the whole thing rolling and when you look back you will see that it was crooked to begin with. I also make sure all along the way that the edges of each section is square and trim or fix it if it isn't before I add any more. If you fix your seams from the start so they are straight and square you will prevent a lot of frustration in the end.

I guess I could have added this also.

I don't sew in rows. Rows can get distorted. I sew into 4 patches and then sew two 4 patches together and then sew those 8 patches together. If you sew sections together rather than in rows you have a better chance of keeping things in a square shape. When you sew in rows it is like laying tile. Every small measurement that is off will be magnified by the time you get to the end of the row.
If you sew in sections you can see right away if something is cockeyed because your 4 patch won't look squared up. So you will know to fix it now rather than get to the end and see a row that looks like a wiggling snake. Use a ruler to see if it is straight. Measure measure measure!!
Prevents a lot of problems!! But remember NOTHING IS PERFECT! You notice I did not say noone is perfect!. That patchwork is just a thing! Not your identity as a quilter. It is a lesson in the road of quilting life. So enjoy the jouney! The bad teaches us a lesson and the good lifts our spirits so ENJOY it! Don't stress! Walk away and come back later if it is getting to you.

What kind of ruler did you use there? I'm not familiar with "keychain" language. It looks small...what do you use when you want larger HST's?

I use templates. If you use my cut down method you sew two fabric pieces together and then use a square template of any size and cut out a square from the middle.
You can use any method of making half squares that works best for you.

I have templates made for me and I add a plastic grid to the back of them. I also have rulers that are 2" x 9". This is my favorite size to work with.

I do miniatures so I use a 1 1/2" or a 1 1/4" acrylic template. The size of the HST can be anything you want. Just use a larger template.

I offer the 1 1/2" and the 1 1/4" free to anyone who wants one. Just send me your postal address if you would like to try one.

My free tutorials on the Quilted Paradise Newsletter
http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/230-jzl.jsp - cell phone case
http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/231-uzl.jsp - bookmarks
http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/232-uid.jsp - softbox pincushion 1st half
http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/233-uid.jsp - softbox pincushion 2nd half
http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/067-ezl.jsp - keychains
http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/038-oqk.jsp - mouse pad--star point

How do you "tack" the points? Is that all by hand? Is there a gizmo to help? Doesn't it take forever - and is that really worth it? Sorry, I just am boggled at that much effort.

Sara tacking is just sewing a stitch to hold it in place. It doesn't take any time at all. I lay two "blocks" together and instead of pinning I use a needle and thread and put a stitch in the edge where the seam will go through. I put one on each end to hold the corners in place so they can't move when I sew the seam.
It takes a sec or two longer maybe than putting pins in but not all that much and I think it saves alot of hassle. It keeps the seams in the HSTs matching and doesn;t let them drift under the needle. When you keep the seams matching your points will be where they are supposed to be and crooked or disappearing points won't happen. It makes the rest of your sewing go more smoothly.
I thread several needles with thread and keep them handy in my pincushion. I think it is worth it.

The stitch is just the same as sewing a button on. Just put the needle through and draw it through again and clip it off. It keeps things from shifting.

The goal with HSTs is to keep a 1/4" seam allowance between the point and the edge of the square. If things are not in place that is when you lose the 1/4" seam allowance and the closer your point is to the edge the more of it you will lose. So a stitch in time saves nine!!

Thanx. That makes more sence to me now. I think I"ll try it!!!

I agree with you, I too am a perfectionist. I will not hesitate to rip a seam if it is wrong or wonky. Sewing in sections does reduce the amount of mistakes and eliminates the need to rip large seams. Truly square HST's is the key. The tips you wrote are priceless, thank you so very much, I really appreciate it!

:oops: :oops:

What is HST ????....