Question I'm embarrassed to ask
#21
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
I still think HST is an inaccurate descrption.
I heard someone refering to HST as being just half of what we think of as a HST. And that is much more accurate. So the square is made up of two HSTs.
The squares were cut in half on the diagonal, making a right angle triangle that is half of the square. Makes a lot more sense, but I'll bet it won't catch on. That would be almost like changing the qwerty keyboard. Ain't gonna happen!
I heard someone refering to HST as being just half of what we think of as a HST. And that is much more accurate. So the square is made up of two HSTs.
The squares were cut in half on the diagonal, making a right angle triangle that is half of the square. Makes a lot more sense, but I'll bet it won't catch on. That would be almost like changing the qwerty keyboard. Ain't gonna happen!
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
No question is 'too embarrassing' to ask if you don't know the answer. We have all been in that situation. Even after many years as a quilter there are lots of questions I have. When one becomes relevant I ask. Triangles are perplexing. Recently, I struggled with directions for using the ruler for Hunter's Star. I just was struggling with it. I took it to a local quilt store and asked for help. It was freely given. My problem was putting triangles together with a trapezoid. Once shown it made perfect sense and now I am on to the next step. Like others, I do believe the measurement you are seeking is for the straight sides rather than the diagonals so that the finished unit (square) has the measurement you require. Another example is the triangle made with the tri-recs tool. When choosing patterns just be sure you understand the directions when you read them. Some pattern writers are much better than others.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The other Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 1,913
Unless they state otherwise, I just assume that it's a half square triangle and the size refers to the finished size of the square. You can usually look at the picture of the quilt to verify that it's a hst.
I've wondered this too. So if they end up with a 5" hst, they started out with two 5.5 squares? right?
In my day as an elementary teacher and equilateral triangle is the same measurement on all sides.
I've wondered this too. So if they end up with a 5" hst, they started out with two 5.5 squares? right?
In my day as an elementary teacher and equilateral triangle is the same measurement on all sides.
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
Then when it gets interesting - a quarter square triangle is the same shape as a half square triangle.
I much prefer the term HST UNITS TO HST'S - to me, a HST is a triangle cut from a square - not the two triangles sewn together to make a square.
I much prefer the term HST UNITS TO HST'S - to me, a HST is a triangle cut from a square - not the two triangles sewn together to make a square.
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Your question is not at all ridiculous. Triangles come in all shapes and sizes, and I would not automatically assume that you meant a HST, but since you do, I would agree with the others who would generally refer to it by the size of the finished square. For 60 degree (equilateral) triangles, there are actually differences in how rulers are made to measure them. Some measure from the base to the tip, and others measure the sides. http://www.frommarti.com/mm5/merchan...ategory_Code=R
I never knew this stuff and never even thought to ask.
#30
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