Half Square Triangles

OK, so I'm new to the quilting world, I'm loving it by the way, and I'm having a serious issue with doing half-square triangles the way Jenny shows in the tutorials. I am so careful about everything and regardless I get one block smaller than the others every stinkin' time. It's frustrating me to no end. I'm curious as to what the "old" way of doing it was, maybe that would work better for me. I'm hand quilting too because I love it so maybe the "old" way is better for me. LOL! Any tips or tricks to make Jenny's way work better would be greatly appreciated too. I don't want to give up on it, but I'm getting very frustrated with it. HELP ME!!! PRETTY PLEASE!!! Thanks everyone!

It isn't just you. It is hard to get half square triangles that are all the same size and square. Best rule is to make them a little bigger than you need and trim them down. That way you get perfect squares every time. Just takes a little more time but no frustration.

I feel your pain. I just conquered these, myself. Start by making them a smidge bigger than what's called. I gave myself a 1/2" extra, then with the two squares right sides together draw a line from corner to corner. Keep your 1/4" foot on the line, down one side, then the other. Rotary cut on the drawn line, press open. Now they key point. SQUARE OFF each block to the size you need. If you are unsure how to square off, there's videos available on You Tube.
I struggled with Jenny's method, as well. Good luck, Jami!

you could try this one: http://www.amazon.com/June-Tailor-Ha...uilting+rulers

Or this is the one that I use and I don't have a problem making HST with this one: http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/...45&Parent_Ids=

My favorite way is using HST triangle paper on a roll from quilting shops. I understand you can also download printable grids online, but not sure where. Maybe someone here knows? Let me see what I can find.

okay, not able to post links for some reason but they are called thangles. You can also search "half square triangles" and find them as well as the printable grids.

I, too, had a hard time with HST until I bought the June Tailor Half Square Triangle ruler. It allows you to draw the SEWING lines and not the line that you have to try to stay 1/4 inch away. Perfect! Then you square it up using the center of the ruler. You get perfect HST each and every time. I am one big fan of this ruler!!!!

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Originally Posted by madampolo

I, too, had a hard time with HST until I bought the June Tailor Half Square Triangle ruler. It allows you to draw the SEWING lines and not the line that you have to try to stay 1/4 inch away. Perfect! Then you square it up using the center of the ruler. You get perfect HST each and every time. I am one big fan of this ruler!!!!

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Joyce, you should be a company rep! I'm planning on purchasing tomorrow, provided it's in stock at JoAnn's and I can scrounge up a 50% OFF coupon

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Originally Posted by New York Sue

I feel your pain. I just conquered these, myself. Start by making them a smidge bigger than what's called. I gave myself a 1/2" extra, then with the two squares right sides together draw a line from corner to corner. Keep your 1/4" foot on the line, down one side, then the other. Rotary cut on the drawn line, press open. Now they key point. SQUARE OFF each block to the size you need. If you are unsure how to square off, there's videos available on You Tube.
I struggled with Jenny's method, as well. Good luck, Jami!

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I do mine this way - I like that none of the edges end up on the bias. I give myself more ooops-space though, because I need it. The internet seems to suggest that you should cut your squares 7/8" bigger than you want the finished size to be. I know myself and my lack of preciseness, that's not good enough. :icon_razz: I go an inch bigger. As in, if I want 4" finished, I cut my two initial squares 5" each. The squaring up is annoying, but takes me less time than it would to just learn how to sew accurately once and for all. :)

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Originally Posted by leigh7911

I do mine this way - I like that none of the edges end up on the bias. I give myself more ooops-space though, because I need it. The internet seems to suggest that you should cut your squares 7/8" bigger than you want the finished size to be. I know myself and my lack of preciseness, that's not good enough. :icon_razz: I go an inch bigger. As in, if I want 4" finished, I cut my two initial squares 5" each. The squaring up is annoying, but takes me less time than it would to just learn how to sew accurately once and for all. :)

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Leigh, my finished HST's on a charm pack were 4.25". I'm still very new, but my blocks are coming out SWEET. Definately intrigued by the HST ruler by June Tailor. Madampolo is haunting me, so the jest is a 50% coupon and a dream!
And I honestly can't get down Jenny's method, right now. Maybe a little later...

I have a ruler called the angler I think. They sell it at Joann's my mom got it for me with a coupon and sent it. It's a dream. I'm doing a bear claw quilt with it. The ruler makes it to where you can use jelly rolls and get 2 1/2 inch Hst they come out great every time

I too am a big fan of the June Tailor HST ruler. All the HST come out square and the same size, can't ask for much more....