It seems every project I've worked on lately has included HST's. In the last 3 projects I've made HSTs 3 different ways.
First time I used Triangles-on-a-Roll to make 160 HSTs. Pin the paper on the two layers of fabric, sew on the dotted lines and cut on the solid lines. Then sit down and carefully pull the paper away before trimming.
Second time I made 72 HSTs by drawing the grid on one of the two fabrics using dotted lines for sewing and solid lines for cutting. Then spent time trimming them.
Today I made another 72 HSTs starting with 4 inch squares. I marked each square with one cutting line and two sewing lines. Then chain pieced the sewing lines. I've now trimmed half of them.
I think the grid method is the one I like the best. There is something about taking the pencil to the fabric and drawing my own lines that makes me feel like I've accomplished the task of creating the HSTs. I'm not a fan of trimming the HSTs, so if someone creates a way to make HSTs with minimal trimming, I'd be forever grateful.
So, tell me, what is your favorite way to make HSTs?
9 comments:
I really like the two squares right sides together, draw 1 line sew on both sides of the line, cut on the line, press (trim becasue my squares are always a little bigger - just in case!)
I have used Thangles inthe past with success, but I don't like "needing" a piece of paper...
Can't stand picking out paper. I tend to cut my square bigger and trim them down later. Even though the trimming is a pain at least it makes the results accurate :)
My vote is the 2 squares right sides together with the diagonal marked. I hate the extra step of picking out the paper and I find i am able to be more accurate with the squares.
I use Eleanor Burns method (not sure it's hers but that is where I first saw it.)You take two squares for example 12", pencil a line corner to corner on all four corners, sew 1/4" seam on both sides of the lines, cut on pencil lines and from side to side on all four sides. Makes 8 HST 2 1/2" each. Probably didn't explain well but grab her Underground Sampler book and se for yourself.
I like Triangles on a Roll when doing multiple HSTs from the same fabrics. I set the stitch length to 1.5 and don't have (much) trouble removing the paper.
For scrappy HST's I do the old diagonal line - sew on both sides method. I always start with bigger squares and trim down to exact size.
Have you seen the ruler by Walter times Two? You put two strips together,sew on both sides then cut to the size, unfold,done.
Leola in VT
Definitely strips cut finished square size plus 1/2" seam allowance placed rt. sides tog. and cut with Easy Angle tool and just sewn along seamline - quickest of all and one end will be nubbed.
The Walter Times Two ruler is called the Wonder Cut ruler. I used it this past winter to make a quilt and really liked it.
Cheers!
Evelyn
I put a post on my blog some time ago showing my favorite way to do these. The date was July 14. I see you left a comment on my blog saying you'd read about the method in an old book but didn't really understand it until you saw my pictures. Did you ever try my method of sewing bias strips together and then cutting out the squares? It's still my favorite method - makes them turn out perfectly with no recutting.
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