If you eliminate 2 steps in squaring a half square triangle, will you save time? Of course you will!
Then what if you eliminate 3 steps and just cut once to square?
Here's how!
Recently, I was given a pile of triangles.
I normally make my half square triangles (HSTs)
in another way.
Looking back over my Quilt Blocks page
I found these techniques for makine HSTs @
Quilt Shot Block #97~ Double X
Quilt Shot Block #78 ~ Colorado
Quilt Shot Block #77 ~ Shoo Fly
Quilt Shot Block #68 ~ Missouri Star
Quilt Shot Block #58 ~ Woven Friendship Star
Quilt Shot Block #106~ Paper Template Half Square Triangles
I would check the squares on all four sides,
and sometimes have to trim all four sides.
That's FOUR steps!
(for my wish list)
I saw a ruler made to square half square triangles by using the bias line of the square.
I found 2 of my smaller square rulers have this line.
I didn't have a right square triangle ruler which might would work as well?
So I gave both of these a try.
No rotating around.
in assembly line fashion.
I found due to the small size of 2½ inches,
I was able to hold the ruler on the bias stitched line
and trim with my clippers
around the 2 edges, if needed.
Because, I DISCOVERED
Most of the time I could align the stitching line
on the bias line
AND
line up the upper edge so
all I needed was
to trim ONE side!
ZIP, Done!
Dad always said,
"You spend more time finding a faster way."
I'm all for a faster way! Trimming HSTs is not my favorite thing to do - thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteWell - how clever is that!! I have a couple rulers with those bias lines and never could figure out a use for them. Tried once or twice and ended up cutting all wrong so gave up (too soon, obviously!).
ReplyDelete