MTS

Exactly! That's what I thought when I saw it on the blog a few months ago.

It's like that dreaded Missouri Quilts method that is all the rage - (two squares and sew a 1/4 around the perimeter, then cut twice diagonally). Ridiculous.

Also, it's not a cutting ruler, it's for marking purposes only.

Here's a better link for the how-to
http://www.ctpubblog.com/2012/05/29/...plus-giveaway/

You still have to sew and press correctly (and make sure that your original squares were cut spot-on).

It makes it so you don't have to deal with eighths on your ruler.
It's built into the seam allowance so you don't have to cut the squares an odd size like 3-7/8". You cut 4" and the extra is already built into the seam allowance when you mark the sewing lines.

That's the difference to the regular method - you're marking SEWING lines instead of CUTTING lines.

If someone doesn't understand the basics involved, this ruler isn't going to help them when the finished HST BLOCK doesn't come out to the expected perfect measurement.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.
Everyone should cut and sew and press perfectly on each and every seam.
But that's not real life.
And when you take away putting the extra fudge factor at the beginning, there are no options to use to fix it at the end (like when you start with bigger squares and then trim down at the end).

I, too, am a gadget/ruler collector but I think, for me, my old-fashioned way of doing it will work better.


eta: Sorry for all the editing. My brain was going faster than my fingers. Or was it the other way around?

BellaBoo

There is no need for squaring up so less handling of the bias. I haven't had a problem with stretching making eight at a time, each one perfect size. It's not expensive, about $13 on sale and I will use it for many of Bonnie Hunter's patterns.

LynnVT

MTS thank you for the link. Now that I can see how it works I am interested. Maybe one will show up at one of the vendors at our guild show or at my LQS, so I can handle it and see how well it holds the fabric. I still don't understad how you can do more than one at a time. Don't you have to draw the lines on the fabric?

Prism99

According to the PDF link above that shows how these triangles are made, the outer edges are all on the straight-of-grain. Basically the tool is a big X that allows you to quickly mark squares for sewing. You are marking the lines on the bias and sewing on the bias, so that the outer edges all remain on the straight-of-grain. The method that leaves the cut edges on the bias has you sew all around the outer edges of the squares. Quite different.

Edie

I get it! I like it! I love to make 1/2 square triangles and quarter squares. This is absolutely perfect. Whip those little puppies out in no time. Edie

nancyw

I went on the site and it poped up with a printer syebol. I printed it out and the only part that didn't print was all of the 8 triangles at a time. You get the measuremnts for making HST and QST. Just sew 1/4 inch on each side of your drawn line and your good to go. You may have to trim a litlle to get tha exact mesurent size but that's the beauty of cutting oversize. I'm sure there would be very little to cut off if you use a full 1/4 " seam. Yah! Freedom from that dreaded scant 1/4"!

sparkys_mom

It took me a minute to "get it" but I think I have it. The old way, you mark a line down the center of the square, sew 1/4" on either side and then cut it. This way, you draw two lines, sew right on top of the lines, and then cut down the center. Do I have it right?

DogHouseMom

I get it!!

When you make HST's by drawing a center diagonal line then sewing on both sides of the line - cut the center, then square up the HST. This ruler will let you mark the two SEWING lines (instead of marking the center line) - and the bonus is that you can pre-cut your squares to the correct size FIRST which means if you sewed them correctly you won't have to square them up later.

So if you use the above method of marking HST's - then this ruler might be a useful tool.

I'm not a big fan of using special rulers for special functions ... I have a 4" X 24", a 6.5" square and a 12.5" square and I do what I need with those. But I LIKE this ruler.

Dodie

I don't understand it or why it takes a special tool to make HST if I want a 3 1/2 inch hst I just cut 2 --8 inch squares put right sides together draw an X stitch 1/4 inch either side of X mark presto 8 HST trim to right size and perfect points every time

calicojoan

It sure looks interesting. I need more rulers like a hole in the head, but what the heck. I look at all the tools in hubby's garage, and I remember why I need more rulers!!