World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of February 9, 2004:

Our question this week comes Maureen T:

I have been quilting for a number of years and I would like to know what other quilters find the easiest in making half square triangle in large quantities and true to size?

Kathy in WA :
I find that it depends on the project I am using which method I use. But the one I use most often is the EZ Angle tool. I find it easy to use, accurate, and convenient.

Louise :
It takes a little longer than on a grid, but I use the method where you cut two squares 7/8" bigger than the finished size, draw a line across the middle, and stitch 1/4" on each side of the line. Cut on the line and you've got two triangles. These usually turn out accurate for me.
Sue McMahan :
I find that Marsha McCloskey's technique using bias strips allows you to make numerous half square triange units with ease.....two-color, multi-color or scrappy. FMI...sumac@empnet.com
Nikki D :
TRIANGLE PAPER!!!
sally da best :
They r all easy for me
Clara :
Like Pat R I use the grid making the square slightly larger so I can trim to perfection. I discovered on my last project if the grid was only four squares and I stitched like an "X" across the squares, it was faster stitching and I didn't have to remove the corner stitches.
Clara :
Like Pat R. I use the grid making it slightly larger than needed so I can trim it to perfection. Something I discovered with my last project was using only four squares to a grid and sewing like an "x" .. I found it faster sewing the smaller grids and didn't have to remove the corner stitches.
Julie :
Triangles on a roll are great. I'm not a fan of paper piecing, but it's the only way I've been able to do accurate blocks.
Marion :
I use the grid method when many of the triangles are of the same two fabrics. Make the grid 1 inch larger than the finished size of the half-square triangle. Make the sewing lines into diamonds (if you've got a lot) rather than diagonals across the fabric so you don't have to remove stitches on the corners of the triangles. The strip cutting method I use when I want a random look.
kathy :
by strip cutting and sewing
Pat R :
I use the grid method but make the grid slightly larger than needed
then trim the completed square down to correct size. Takes a little more time
but the exact result is worth the effort. Actually, no more than using
the strip method.

World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week