Bonus Half Square Triangles Tutorial

Today's post is a quick tutorial on how I get bonus Half Square Triangles (HST) from the units I am making.

The process adds a little bit of time to your marking/stitching, but in the end you get a number of bonus HST already stitched together.

I use Frixion pens to mark my lines on the wrong side of the fabric, I use the Clover Fine White marking pen for dark fabrics.

I mark the stitching line for the unit I am making first.

Note how the 1/2" mark on the ruler skims the drawn line, it doesn't lay on top of it.

Then I move my ruler over and mark the second stitching line for the bonus HST. Note where I have my ruler lines, just next to the marked line, not directly on it. I do that because I will stitch right next to the line, not on it.

When I take the units to the sewing machine I stitch the line made for the unit I am making first. Just along the line, not on it, to get an accurately sized unit.

Next I stitch the line for the bonus HST. I also stitch along side the line, not directly on it, to keep my seam allowance correct, otherwise it will get a little small.

Cut 1/4" from the first stitched line.

At this point you can throw them in a bucket or square them right away. I tend to throw them in a bucket and then give them away.

If you are better than me though you can  press your bonus HST units to the dark side and trim to size. One of the nice things about the Tucker Trimmer, my go to ruler for trimming HST, is that it has easy to see whole numbers as well as the half numbers. This makes it easy to trim the bonus HST to any size you like. Trimming HST tutorial HERE.

Once trimmed you can play around with different settings.

Have fun and play around a bit.

Happy Stitching!
Jen

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Beginners Unite! Half Square Triangles

This is the post I have been waiting for since the beginning. I love making half square triangles, as long as they are "perfect."

There are a ton of different ways to make the half square triangle unit, but this is the only way I have found, for me, that gives me a perfectly squared HST (half square triangle). A perfectly squared HST goes a long way towards making the unit enjoyable. There is nothing worse than a unit that doesn't fit into a block, or a unit where you lose the point. 

We're going to make two 2 1/2" unfinished HST unit. For this you will need:

1) Two squares, 3" each 

See this post for accurate cutting.

2) A marking tool, I prefer a mechanical pencil

3) A ruler with a 45° line

*Any ruler will do, I love my Tucker Trimmer (no affiliation)

4) Rotary Cutter

On the wrong side of the lightest fabric draw a diagonal line.

At your sewing machine we are going to sew a scant 1/4" on each side of the fabric. To sew a scant 1/4" seam for a HST, I line up my foot so the marked line is under it, not next to it.

Turn the square and repeat on the other side of the line.

Cut directly on the line.

Press to set the seam. 

Then press towards the dark fabric.

Now, the fun part! Squaring up.

I have a piece of old cutting mat that I use when I do any squaring up. Our mats do wear out, but they are expensive and I can't bear to throw mine out. So my last one I cut/broke into quadrants and I use them any time I need to trim units. This keeps the mat I'm using as fresh and long lasting as possible. If you don't have an extra piece of mat, flip your mat over and use the back side for trimming.

I will show how to trim using the Tucker Trimmer as well as a square Creative Grids ruler.

What I like about the Tucker Trimmer is how it has just the lines you need, nothing extra. It makes trimming much faster. I will say, I wish it had grips like Creative Grids, be careful that the ruler doesn't slip. 

Line up the diagonal along the seam of your HST. This first trim is going to be taking off as little fabric as possible.

We made the square larger than needed, so there should be plenty to trim off, but double check that the measurement you need is inside the fabric. In this case the 2 1/2" mark.

Rotate the HST. Now you want to line up the 2 1/2" mark along the edge of the fabric, lining up the diagonal line on the seam. This trim will have larger pieces. 

You now have a perfect HST.

Using a Creative Grids ruler, you do the same thing. Line up the first trim with as little fabric showing as possible. The diagonal line sits on the seam and the 2 1/2" mark (for this size). 

Rotate the HST, and line up the ruler with the 2 1/2" mark along the fabric. Trim.

Half Square Triangles are an easy unit to chain piece. You can make a lot of them in a short amount of time, and it's worth the time to trim them into perfection.

If you don't like to draw any lines on your fabric, you can use this trick: Draw (or tape) the lines directly on your machine and line up your squares on them. 

I mentioned above that there are a lot of ways to make HSTs, and there are other rulers made just for squaring them up. Please feel free to share your favorite way/ruler for making the perfect half square triangle in the comments.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

1) Intro - May 2

2) Quilting supplies ~ What makes the process easier - May 9
2a) Side Trip ~ Maintenance - May 11
3) Choosing fabric and color - May 16

4) Accurate cutting - May 23
4a) Side Trip ~ Cutting Large Yardage - May 25

5) That crazy scant 1/4 inch seam allowance - May 30

6) Sewing strips and squares - June 6
7) HST - Half Square Triangles (My one true love) - You are here

8) Flying Geese - June 20

9) What about those blocks that are just a tad off? - June 27
9) Strip Piecing - July 11

11) Is there a trick to keeping those points? - July 13

12) Adding Borders - July 18

13) Sandwich that top - July 25

14) Quilting - August 1

15) Binding - August 8
16) Labels  - August 15

Introducing Frayed Edges! (and a giveaway)

I am excited to introduce the newest pattern in the PBJ family:

Using one simple block Frayed Edges gets it's real beauty from the HST sashing. 

The middle of the block is perfect for fussy cutting, as Sandy showed in her test quilt.

Dedee was feeling patriotic when she tested Frayed Edges.

I love her backing choice!

Kelly went with a bright, crisp look. 

If her daughter hadn't already claimed this one, I would. I still might. Designer privileges anyone?

This red beauty is featured on the back cover. So many choices, so little time! Pick up your copy of Frayed Edges at my Etsy shop.

If you prefer to support your local quilt shop, please have them contact me, I am happy to give wholesale prices on any of my patterns to LQS!

Currently you can find my patterns, including Frayed Edges, at Fabrics Plus of Marshall. 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this pattern, simply leave a comment. Giveaway ends Friday, Aug 26th at 11:59 pm CST.

For another chance to win, check out my Instagram post @patternsbyjen and leave a comment there. 

Good luck!

Happy Stitching!

Jen