SandyinZ4

I have been quilting now for ten years and just a few days ago, learned a trick that I wish I would have known way back when I first began. I am sure some of you already know this but I sure didn't. Wanted to share with those of you who don't know as it is so much easier of a way to delete the 'dog ears' when you sew two half-square-triangles (hst's) together.
I have made several quilts with them and this trick would have saved me a lot of trimming. So much easier to do it this way.
When you get your hst's sewn together and before you press them open (usually to the dark side). take a minute with your rotary cutter and trim off just a tiny bit inward to the middle at an angle. Be careful not to cut into your stitches but just cut past them. Then set seam and press open and..Voila!!! no dog ears and when you sew blocks together in whatever pattern you are making, you won't have so much bulk in the corners.

SandyinZ4

Here is HST ready to trim

SandyinZ4

And after it is trimmed before pressing open.

SandyinZ4

And there you go..no dog ears to trim off and no bulk in corner seam.

quiltingcandy

Thanks for tip. I did not know this.

trish b

Great tip, one that we all need reminders. Your pictures are so clear and the tutorial well described.
thanks

Susann

Oh, so much easier! I'm thinking I could also do this with scissors while watching TV, sitting on the porch etc.

jackiej

Thanks so much for that great tip. I wish I would have known this last week..

SandyinZ4

Susann, you could do this with scissors, too. Just have a stack and whack away. Then sew the next day. Jackiej, I'm with you. I think of all those blocks I made and how much nicer they would have looked if I had known this. Glad I could share my current knowledge, as I have learned so much from this board that it is nice to be able to pay back a little.

Geri B

Yup! It's amazing how each day can be a learning day!