1/2 square triangles

[EditorAnne]

Well today I was looking through some emails and found one that caught my eye. It was from the Applewood BOM, although I'm not doing that one, I was reading how their coming along. One poster said how there were many different ways to do 1/2 square triangles so that caught my eye. She did them a bit different (for me). She took 2 squares (2 1/2 inches) for us one print and one background - same size for both. Right sides together and sews a 1/4 in seam around the edges of the blocks. Then she cuts them in half diagonally (making an x) and poof, she has four 1/2 square triangles done and no paper to remove!

Of course I saw this at work and was so intrigued I had to try it with paper, staples and tape and it pretty much worked. So I came home, used my rotary cutter and some scraps - and it worked great.

Both squares have to be 2.5 inches, and you have to do a 1/4 inch seam around the perimeter of the square on all 4 sides, cut in an X and your done!

Give it a try.

denise

Denise, what you created were quarter-square triangles, not half-square triangles. The bias is on the outside edges, as several people have pointed out. They're used in different situations than half-square triangles, which never have bias edges.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[kathyst2]

I do a lot of half square triangles in my scrap quilting, so I'm always looking for a way to do them quickly, yet accurately. I just ran across Brenda Henning's Triangulations 2.0. It's a paper piecing technique that produces multiples in minutes.
Henning has a website at: http://www.bearpawproductions.com

Hi Louise, went to the bearpaw website, took a look at that video of her making the triangles. Her pressing method is something I haven't seen before! The bias stays stable. I went out and bought the software, just to support her for that great idea. TQS is such a wonderful learning resource for me, I thank you very much for bringing Brenda's website to my attention.

Oh, and my HST for the BOM for May are the best ever.

Here's to progress!

Kathy

[kathyst2]

Hi Kathy --

So glad you're pleased using the software. I've been merrily making tons of the HSTs for my projects using this method and still can't believe the time it saves!

I'm with you about how lucky we are to have this wonderful website to share information. Happy quilting!

Louise

[dianaupp]

Dear Kathy,
I can't find the video that you are talking about. Where is it located?

Thanks

Diana

[kathyst2]

I can't find the video that you are talking about. Where is it located

Diana

Hi Diana, I found it on Quilters TV, under the heading quilters' cafe. It's listed on the right side of the screen. The video is called something like "triangles with Brenda Henning". I think I got to the website from a link here.

But I got there just now by googling "quilters TV".

Kathy

[suehenyon]

http://www.quilterstv.com/?bcpid=1460849587

this will take you to Quilters TV, then look for Brenda Henning's name in the list of videos