piepatch

Yes, be sure to starch!

Judi in Ohio

There are many, many ways to make hst and qst. I have Triangulations software which is the bomb. You print out what size you need, put the pattern on top of your two fabrics which are face to face. Sew on the lines. Perfect hst. There's also Sewlingo?? - don't know if that name is right, and there are some hst you can get from the computer - just google. I am in the middle of making an Ocean Waves that requires 3,000 2" hst - yes 3,000. I bet I have more made. We had a charm square swap so I tried the 5" charm squares folded in half, & half again, sewed on the lines, sewed in half again and again, and cut on these lines. I got 8 hst this way. I like scrappy quilts so I decided that I would use no more than 6 of the same color combo in my hst, so the triangulations papers got cut up to smaller sizes. It still made 12, so I put 6 in one box to use in OW and 6 in another box to swap at some time or use in another quilt. We also did a hst swap that I got some goodies from. The wondercut ruler was the only ruler I've used that did not work well for me. I'm sure it was user error, but I look at the quilt I made with those hst and I grit my teeth - it's my screen saver no less. I love hst. Just play around and enjoy.

maviskw

Squaring up on the 45 degree angle is the way to go. But I was making Boston Blocks (or Triple Triangle) and forgot about the OTHER 45 degree angle. So I didn't allow for the 1/4 in. on the third corner. : (

BellaBoo

My new favorite way to make HSTs is using this ruler. It's fast and simple. No bias edges either. http://www.ct-publishing.com/pdfs/20182.pdf if I don't have the Go die for the size I need I use this ruler.

coffeebreak

I found that using a "square up ruler" is the key...I make 3,1/2" HST's all the time..my fav size to use. But also..I find that cutting the squares in the first place...just a tiny tad bigger...I line up the 3,1/2" line and then move it in that tiny tad just past the line..and then cut. I think that pressing the rotary cutter down pulls the fabric just that tiny tad of a bit, that makes a huge issue later on that you are having. Then...I draw the line, and sew..I use a seam guide as my pressure foot isn't exact..and then set seams and open and press...pressing hte seams first is a big help as it sets the threads flat and straight for opening...just think about it..those threads make loops which are round...and if they are not pressed flat...they can move and get crooked...again, just a tiny tad, but enough in quilting to make a difference. Then...use the square up ruler. and the points come out fine. Quilters have to remember ....a little here, a little there...means a WHOLE LOT later!

sunny42539

I got some patterns from www. how-to-quilt.com that was already made with the 1/4 inch sewing line. These patterns have the points cut off so they are neater. I love the patterns they have. I used to hate sewing triangles but love to sew them now.

pocoellie

BellaBoo, normally I'm not one for a bunch of different rulers and such, but that's a very interesting ruler. I'm going to have to check it out. Thanks

quiltmom04

I have that precuts actually can vary almost 1/4" sometimes. I find the best way is to sew and trim down to size. Then every one is dead-on!

calmarek

I agree with normasews. I love, love, love the bloc loc rulers. My HSTs have never been so accurate, not to mention fast!! Here is the link to their site if you want to check them out... http://blocloc.com/

duckydo

Bonnie Hunter on Quiltville says to pur your squares rst then cut diagonally, the sew the 1/4" seams on the bias edge, that seemed to help me have more accurate hst