Formula for HSTs
02-10-2012, 04:45 AM
#1
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Formula for HSTs
I need to cut fabrics so that 4 HSTs sewn together will become an 8 1/2" unfinished block
I've been experimenting and all are winding up as blocks in wrong sizes.
Am hopeful someone can help me.
I've been experimenting and all are winding up as blocks in wrong sizes.
Am hopeful someone can help me.
02-10-2012, 05:12 AM
#3
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Location: Cadillac, MI
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You want an 8 1/2" block composed of 4 HSTs? If I read it correctly, you need each HST to be 4 1/2". Cut your squares 5 1/2 inches, put two together, draw a diagonal line and sew 1/4 on either side. Cut on the line. Press and trim the HST to 4 1/2". When you take away 1/2 for the seam there's your 8 1/2".
You can add 1/2" and cut the squares 5", but it takes very exact sewing. The previous poster was right - usually a pattern will say add 7/8", but 1" is easier to measure and either way you have to trim so I prefer to use 1".
You can add 1/2" and cut the squares 5", but it takes very exact sewing. The previous poster was right - usually a pattern will say add 7/8", but 1" is easier to measure and either way you have to trim so I prefer to use 1".
02-10-2012, 05:27 AM
#4
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Ummm...no, you want the block to be 8" FINISHED, right? That makes each square 4" finished. So add 7/8 inch to the FINISHED size you want--cut your squares 4 7/8" (or 5" and trim), draw a line diagonally and stitch 1/4" on either side of it.
Last edited by GingerK; 02-10-2012 at 05:31 AM.
02-10-2012, 08:18 AM
#8
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Location: Cadillac, MI
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gollytwo, try it both ways and let us know. You need that HST 4 1/2" before it is sewn into your block, so cutting 4 7/8" gives you a very skimpy amount to work with and less than a 1/4" seam which would weaken a bias seam. When I wanted 6 1/2" blocks, I cut 7 1/2 " squares and didn't have much too trim.
Last edited by irishrose; 02-10-2012 at 08:21 AM.
02-10-2012, 08:36 AM
#9
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Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 751
I just did HST the patten said 2 7/8" squares and sewn and cut they measure 2 1/2". Trust me Im not perfect but they all turned out!! my block has 64 pieces so trimming down is not appealing for this project.
02-10-2012, 08:38 AM
#10
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Location: Idaho
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This pinwheel uses 4 7/8" squares. If I were doing this method I would probably use 5" squares and then square the hst to 4 1/2".
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