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1/2 square triangles

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Quiltlearner
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:35 am

1/2 square triangles

Post by Quiltlearner » Wed May 26, 2010 9:20 am

If the directions say to cut the square at 3 7/8, would it make any difference if I cut all the HST at 4 inches. The entire block is HST. I want to make the Depression Block from QuiltersCache.com

Thank you for any help

gramajojo
Posts: 2332
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:33 am

Re: 1/2 square triangles

Post by gramajojo » Wed May 26, 2010 11:15 am

I always cut my squares bigger and then square them up. So, for your square, I would cut it 4" and then square them up after you cut them apart. Much easier to cut 4" than 3 7/8". Not really than much waste, either.

Jo

auntjana
Posts: 16746
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:42 pm

Re: 1/2 square triangles

Post by auntjana » Wed May 26, 2010 1:01 pm

Yes you can easily do that with 1/2 square triangles - just pay attention to the diagonal seam as you square them up.

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Marilynsgrammy
Posts: 33063
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:46 pm

Re: 1/2 square triangles

Post by Marilynsgrammy » Wed May 26, 2010 1:55 pm

like Jo I always make them bigger... If Iwere to go with 3 7/8 by the time I squared them up they would be too small.... I would rather trim a bit more than to come up short......

Good luck with yours

Chriss
Proverbs 17:1☺️

gmaann
Posts: 9285
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:59 am

Re: 1/2 square triangles

Post by gmaann » Thu May 27, 2010 3:01 am

I just looked at the directions for that block on Quilter's Cache, Quiltlearner. Unless you want every square to be different, it's a LOT easier if you draw a line on the diagonal and then sew a scant quarter inch on EACH side of that line. Then cut on the line. You'll have two HSTs that way and NO waste! (Put two 4" squares right sides together, then draw the line on the lighter fabric.)

And I would definitely cut my squares at 4". It takes time to square them all up, but you will end up with perfect squares that way and a very accurate finished block.


Kittyquilt9292
Posts: 6101
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:47 pm

Re: 1/2 square triangles

Post by Kittyquilt9292 » Thu May 27, 2010 4:08 am

Ditto to all the great advice here. And definitely, cut squares oversize, that's what we've all learned from Eleanor. The extra little fabric waste is well worth not having the frustration of too small.

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