AngelinaMaria

I have a number of quilts planned that use a lot of HST so I purchased the Strip Tube ruler. However, I'm getting cold feet on using it because of the concern of working with bias edges.

I have always made my HST using the method of matching up 2 squares and sewing 1/4 inch away from the center on both sides so that the outside of the HST was the same edges that were on the outside of the square-so no bias edges.

Would like to hear about experiences using this ruler or a similar method and if your blocks stretched out or became distorted because of the bias edges? I use Best Press and wonder if using that before cutting the HST helps enough to overcome this?

EasyPeezy

I starch my fabric heavily and cut my squares slightly bigger so that I can
trip them to the right size. Personally, I prefer to avoid bias edges as much
as possible. If you have a lot of HST's to make there is a similar method
where you sew 8 HST's at a time.

Here it is.
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2013/01/...s-8-at-a-time/

Grace creates

Look into triangulations computer cd you may like it

PaperPrincess

I prefer the grid method to avoid bias edges:
http://www.patchwork-and-quilting.co...triangles.html

Jan in VA

This grid method was how we all did HSTs in the "old" days - 1980s. You can make that grid as large as you want. We often used two fat quarters layered together. The best trick is to never have to lift your presser foot, just turn the fabric at corners and head down the other side of the drawn line. Goes pretty fast that way.

Check to be sure all sides of the drawn lines have been quilted. Press the whole layered piece BEFORE starting your cutting. Cut on EVERY drawn line. Easy!!

Jan in VA

Nilla

I've used the strip tube ruler to make several quilts. Yes it's on the bias, but I use other HST methods that are on the bias too and I've never had a problem. I just don't tug on them a lot.