MaryKatherine

I'm not one to buy all those dedicated rulers that come on the market. I had cause to do over 100 half square triangles and don't have the quarter inch ruler; I used my fine line chalk marker to draw only the center line and then adjusted the needle position to give me a quarter inch line. Anything that can save me time I really like.
Anyone else have any ideas that fudge the product instructions?

cij1916

That's the way I learned in my quilting class...I'll keep an eye on this thread to see other options

echoemb

I use inklingo to make HST's and QST's. I hate doing it any other way than this way. You print on the fabric and sew on the lines, love love love it. very accurate.

feline fanatic

If I need a lot of HST that are the same, I use the grid method for making them. I mark directly on my fabric. As all drawn lines are cut it doesn't matter if the marks show, they are usually trimmed away or buried in my seam allowance. http://www.quiltchat.com/lessons/halfsqr.html

Candace

Check out Triangulations software.

QuiltE

MaryK ... I've missed you (been creeping your blog!) wondered if you'd gone on a world tour!
That's the way I do HSTs ... and if I want lots, I use the grid method, as per FelineF's link.

I usually oversize the squares a little ... then trim them up so they are perfectly square!!!
(and how I get them perfectly square and true to size ... eg. Christmas Churn Dash you saw IRL!)

SuzyQ

Hope I can explain this so it makes sense. If your square is rather small take an index card and lay it diagonally from corner to corner, line your machine foot edge up against the index card and adjust your needle to 1/4" to the side of the index card and stitch. No need to mark anything. Flip it over and sew down the other side in the same manner. if your squares of fabric are larger, use a file folder or larger card. This is not my idea, a quilt group member shared this recently.

I've also used this method ... because I'm lazy and it makes several at once and no stitching on bias ... hope this makes sense ... if the square in your picture is say 2 1/2", cut 2 5" blocks (1 of each fabric) and on one piece (I do it on the lighter fabric) mark the centers on all sides and draw lines on center top to center bottom and center side to center side (your block now has 4 sections) then draw a line diagonal from the the center mark on top/bottom to the center mark on the sides. These will be your cut lines after you stitch. You can either draw lines or use your foot to stitch 1/4 inch on each side of the drawn diagonal line. After stitching, cut and you will have 8 1/2 square triangles. Again, not my idea ... read it somewhere.

Suzy

auntpiggylpn

http://www.connectingthreads.com/too...l_TD81088.html This is a guide that you put on your sewing machine bed so you don't have to draw the lines on your fabric. I haven't used it but know several quilters that have and they just love it!

heres 2 you tube video showing how it is used http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYWwMCllt_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CDjiNwjdxQ

hevemi

The formula for this method: (Finished size of HST x 2) + 2 (1 7/8 if you're perfect). For instance, for 2" hst cut (2 x 2)+2 =6" squares of both fabrics right sides facing. Draw lines as Suzy says, connecting sided at center marks, then draw diagonals from top to bottom, both corners making a big X. Sew 1/4 on each side of diagonals ONLY, not the cross connecting the side centers, CUT along ALL lines(center and diagonal. Makes 8 , trim to unfinished 2 1/2"

An Arm Long

I found thr wonder cut ruler to be worth the money.