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I am so thankful to everyone on this board for great advice, quick answers to questions and of course, wonderful encouragement! I wanted to "pay it back" somehow so thought this little explanation might help someone. I love half square triangles. I tried making them using two triangles, but ended up having to trim them as my sewing was not accurate enough! Then I tried cutting squares, sewing diagonally, then trimming which gave me perfect HST, but only two at a time. I saw this method on Love of Quilting demonstrated by Jo Morton and knew it was a winner. If you are making a ton of HST, this is a great method.

#1 - Place 2, 6 1/2" squares, right sides together. Mark lighter fabric using one of two methods:
1 - Mark a diagonal line, both ways, and stitch 1/4" on either side.
2 - Mark using F & P's Omnigrid ruler (which marks sewing lines) and stitch. This is the method I used.

#2 - Cut in half on ONE diagonal ONLY. I emphasize - JUST ONE!

#3 - Place one half of this large triangle on cutting mat.

#4 - Fold one corner to the other. Place ruler at stitching intersection at the bottom and line up the top of the triangle with a line on the ruler. (You could also use the 45 degree line on the ruler) and cut.

#5 - Cut the square left in half. Repeat for other large triangle.

#6 - Press all to the dark. Trim to 2 1/2" squares.

#7 - You will end up with (8) 2 1/2" half square triangles.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: stm1804,

so what are the finished size for these - and how many do you end up with???? I've made HST's by sewing on each side of the cut line for years - but never would have thought to start with a larger square and cut multiple times. *brilliant*

You posted before I could get everything listed! Hope your questions are answered as you end up with (8) 2 1/2" HST. Of course, all 8 are the same but if you have a bunch to make this is much easier and so accurate!
Susan

What if I needed 3 1/2" hst?

I haven't gotten that far, yet! I am sure there is a way.
Susan

This is a real great idea! Thanks for sharing. You did a fantastic job presenting this. Amy

wildcatmom/Karen - Did a little experimenting...for a 3 1/2" HST (that will finish 3") you need to start with
8 1/2" squares. Just like the 2 1/2" HST (that finish 2") you will end up with 8 HST.
Thanks,
Susan

Thanks, that's going to help me cleaning up some old stash.
I've used this method before, but don't remember where it came from.

That's how the instructions for Eleanor Burns Triangle Square Up rules has you do 1/2 square triangles. According to the chart on the instructions, cut squares to do it according to the finished size (after being sewn into the block) as follows:

1/2" - cut 3"
1" - but 4"
1-1/2" - cut 5"
2" - cut 6"
2-1/2" - cut 7"
3" - cut 8"
3-1/2" - cut 9"
4" - cut 10"
4-1/2" - cut 11"
5" - cut 12"
5-1/2" - cut 13
6" - cut 14"

I have used these measurements and you do get a little extra, which I appreciate, to allow you to square up if you're a little off on sewing or cutting.

By the way, I love this ruler - I used it to make all the half and quarter square triangles for the Orca Bay mystery!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mcpatches,

Thank you so much for showing the tuts!

It is really helpful and appreciated as a want-to-be learner. I will print this post and place in my notebook.

PS: Now I finally understand what "HST" stands for too. That's how much of a beginner I am. Haven't made that first cut yet; still studying.

Wonderful tutorial = thanks for taking the time to share that ... I have just been in a swap of HStTs and we were required to use the papers .. good grief what a lot of work and cutting and trimming and whackin and pulling and tearing and pressing ... ok ok you get it .. I'm doing THIS one next time..

Great pictures and explanation!

I wonder what is the reason for cutting on just one diagonal then folding to cut two at once, then cutting each half of the second diagonal separately. I'd be tempted to just cut both diagonals, then with the pieces still in place move the ruler to make two perpendicular cross cuts to get the eight HST squares. Wouldn't require any special ruler. You can use any one that is handy to mark the lines.

wow! love it! Thank you so much!!!

Bozie - when I saw Jo Morton describe this method, she made a big deal about not cutting both diagonals. I just tried what you wrote, cut both diagonals then move ruler - not fabric - and cut perpendicular lines - and it worked fine! Boy, do I feel silly! That way, you just make four cuts and you're done. Geez! I think that is the way Eleanor Burns does it. Thanks, mcpatches, for posting the numbers. I do prefer adding another 1/2" only because it gives me a little more wiggle room, but your numbers are correct. The only special ruler I used was to mark the diagonal lines, not for cutting. The F & P ruler is 1/2" wide with a yellow line down the middle so you mark both sides which are your sewing lines.
This board is so on the ball! Maybe one day, I will be, too!!????
Thanks,
Susan

I just did it like the tute and it worked fine. If you try the other way Bozie let us know how it worked .. I measured each of the units and needed only to trim off the points.

Actually, Eleanor's triangle square up ruler is a square ruler with a line from diagonal to opposite diagonal. On the sides of the square, marked diagonally are straight lines that you place on the stitching line of the half square triangle before you open it up, they cut along the ruler peak to square up your patch before you open it. One side is 1/2 measurements and the other side is whole number measurements. With this ruler, you square up before you open and iron. Just two strokes with the cutter and its square.

Thanks for the tutorial. I've save it and will try it the next time I need HST's.

quote:

This board is so on the ball! Maybe one day, I will be, too!!????
Thanks,
Susan

Susan you ARE on the ball with your post of a useful technique!!

I'll attach a picture of what I meant about not needing a special ruler to mark the diagonals.

Just align the quarter inch of any ruler with the diagonally opposite corners and draw a line. I usually go with a scant quarter inch and then draw the other a chubby 3/8" away.......

Excellent! I thought you were talking about an Eleanor Burns ruler to cut the HST out. I still do not understand why Jo Morton cuts the squares like I demonstrated. By making the original squares over-sized, 4 cuts works just fine. Then I used my 6 1/2" ruler to trim the squares to 2 1/2".

I have got to try this method. thanks for sharing!

I enjoyed these postings. I hope I can remember it when I need to do HST's I am glad McPatches posted the sizes that answered my question before I asked.

thanks for the reminder ... I did make a copy of the sizes and then drew the shapes on the same paper, made up a set and pinned them to it and they are ready for future use or lessons .. I meant to tell you thanks so much for posting the sizes, a great help.

Curiosity finally got the better of me .. and knowing Bozies 'scientific' bent, I had to make some more HSTs ... I folloed along, cut my diagonals, evenly stacked the 4 tringular pieces, lined them up with the 45 degree on my board, and whacked down the center ... 8 perfect HSTs ..
thanks once again to the friend that brought this back to our minds ... STM1804... getting some fresh ideas - and fesh practice - is always good ...
hey you STM, I hope you will join us often.
....edited to add: I used some stash 6 1/2" squares, they of course needed squaring up a bit, all were within range. I cannot live without my 6" and 8" Bias Squares rulers/templates? from 'That Patchwork Place' ... if you don't have one you need to get one.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: City/Sandie,

Thanks for the tutoral, and McPatches for the numbers. Of course I get this after making a bizillion HST, ok, a couple hundred HST for a swap It sure will help on the next round!!

Thank you. What a great tutorial.
Those of us that like wiggle room, can use the larger squares. Others can cut as it suits them but having the basic tute from you is the ingenious part. Thanks again.

You guys are just great! love the tutorial!