I need to figure out a calculation to make half square triangles and I'm hoping someone out there is good with math
I need to make a half square triangle whose unfinished size is 4", finished size will be 3 1/2". I'd like to do the method where you draw a line on the diaganol and then sew 1/4" on either side of the line. Then you cut on the line thus producing 2 half square triangles at one time. Does anyone know how big I need to cut the squares in order to do this method? Thanks a bunch for helping!!
Depends on how accurate a sewer you are. On Simply Quilts Alex always said to add 7/8 of an inch. I like to add 1 inch to the finished size I want.
For example I would start with 2 blocks 3.5 plus the extra inch to be 4.5
I would draw the line corner to opposite diagonal corner do my 2 lines of sewing & cut. Once sewn I would use my 3.5 square ruler to square up my block by skimming off the excess. I find this works best for me. Perhaps someone else might post their chosen method.
PS Fons & Porter actually cuts out & sews the 2 tiangles but thats not for me.
Good Luck & Happy Sewing.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lilly2,
I find it easiest to just cut the correct size triangles and sew them without line drawing squares. It takes me much less time to pick up two pieces and stitch to be done, than to draw lines, sew twice, and cut later.
I let the machine do the drawing in of the fabric so there is no pulling and stretching happening.
I usually cut mine about 1 inch bigger than the finished size too. Then square up. I know it sounds like extra work, but not being perfect all the time and my eyes and the drawn line sometimes not seeing things exactly the same - the squaring up makes for a perfectly square HST for me.
