How I square up half square triangles (HST)

Make sure you never miss one of my videos. I'll also let you know about new content I'm working on and other interesting updates. Sign up for email notifications here - rsislandcrafts...
When I first starting making half square triangles (HST) I fell in love with the possibilities. The problem was my points weren't matching up neatly all the time. Apparently how you trim your HSTs is important. Go figure lol. In this video I show how I trim my HSTs so I don't lose my points.
You can find me on:
Ravelry - www.ravelry.com...
Periscope - as RsIslandCrafts
Instagram - / rsislandcrafts
Facebook groups - / 1183758165000668
Facebook pages - www.facebook.c...
Blog - rsislandcrafts....
Etsy - www.etsy.com/s...

[@rsislandcrafts]

I love making half square triangles (HSTs) especially for pinwheels. I like to sew them a smidge larger and then trim them down to size. How you trim them is very important so you don’t lose the points when sewing them together.

[@tfroadrunner]

I watched so many and then I found your way of doing it. Perfect for me. Thanks. Loved the ugly material quote too. I spewed my coffee when you said that.

[@rsislandcrafts]

I’m so glad my video was helpful. Hsts became easier once I learned how to square them up. I’ve always loved the ugly fabric quote too.

[@tds603]

Just found your channel and find it very helpful. I'm making my first real quilt (not a wall hanging or placemat) and chose a pattern with 64 half square triangles. Luckily I found this episode before I started squaring them up! Thank you!

[@rsislandcrafts]

I’m so happy you found my channel and this video. I have several quilting videos in a playlist if you need any other help along the way. Or I can keep you company while you sew. Happy Quilting!!

[@kidsiteach]

Thank you so much for these clear directions. I have been a quilter for more than 30 years and have never understood how to trim half square triangles. Yours are the best directions I have found! I actually did it myself.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you so much. I’m so happy my video helped. 🦩

[@sandradummer4726]

I need to learn these also. I’m not sure where to start. Guess if I’m needing half square triangles in my pattern just try to follow that right?

[@rsislandcrafts]

@@sandradummer4726 Yes. This is just the technique for trimming your half square triangle. It works on any size. You could just practice making some half square triangles and then save them for a future quilt.

[@Novascotia101]

Best instructions I’ve seen on squaring up half square triangles. Thank you.

[@giovannacasadio9600]

I can see you got a bit of love from your cat 🐈, I must say you are a very good teacher 😉.

[@bevcote2357]

Girl where have you been my whole life. Truly. I've been sewing since I was 12 and took my first quilting class when I retired from the Navy 14 years ago. I could never get those dang HST trimmed right. Now I know why. Thank you so much. You just don't know. Blessings.

[@rsislandcrafts]

You're very welcome! They used to frustrate me to no end. Then I figured out the secret. Make them larger and trim them down to size. So much easier. I wasted more fabric making them wrong then I do making them a smidge larger. I think It helps that I’m self taught. I don’t know that I’m breaking any rules lol.

[@catspeaks2627]

This is the best, most comprehensive video on squaring a block that I've seen. Too many people show you how to do it, but don't explain exactly what they are doing and why. Thank you!

[@rsislandcrafts]

Cat Speaks Thank you so much!!

[@nancyincanada5553]

LOL@"if your fabric is ugly, you just haven't cut it small enough". I laughed so hard. Love your sense of humor:) I am new to quilting, and your videos are very helpful. Thank you. P.S. the humor along the way makes the learning much less stressful:)

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you Nancy. I hope you’re having fun on your quilting journey.

[@amethystc7685]

I know this was posted a while ago but thank you for posting it help me out a lot. Now my block look very pretty. I am working on my 5 quilt and I learned new tricks every time I make a new one.

[@rsislandcrafts]

I’m so glad my video helped! My blocks were always a bit off until I learned how to trim my hsts properly. I’ve made over a hundred quilts and I learn something new with each one too. Happy quilting!!

[@thearb2003]

I've seen where you can put a ledge of masking tape underneath to build up to next into the seam to make sure the 45 is spot on... Nice video.!

[@daisymarrero6738]

I use a Mary Go around board and place some anti slip material over the table to prevent from sliping. Then I place a rubber cut resistant cutting board over and a mini cutting mat over it to use this like a rotatori board. I only spend $11.00 on the materials and now Ihave a rotatori board to use if I need one. In case you want to dispose it you can always use these items in the Kitchen.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Very creative solution. I don't remember if I mentioned it in this video but I have a rotating cutting mat. I just don't like it. It's doesn't rotate easily and smoothly. Thank you for the tip on how to create my own.

[@esperansaloughran693]

Hi! Robin ...your videos are classic and so well done! Have a happy Easter! love you.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you so much! Happy Easter 💐

[@freedamarino1283]

Great one Robin.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you 🦩

[@grandmalovesmebest]

excellent! have a 12 /2" square ruler AND a 12 1/2" rotating mat waiting ffor me to square up my log cabin blocks! Hooray I understand!Thanks. Great video. You explain well and your camera work is good too🙋

[@marianwood6272]

I was doing this totally wrong. Thank you for your clear instructions and guidance.

[@rsislandcrafts]

You’re very welcome. I was doing It wrong for a long time and wondering why my pinwheels etc weren’t matching up.

[@lisajones5265]

Thank you for clear instruction, i now know what to do

[@rsislandcrafts]

You’re very welcome. I hope you enjoy sewing many more HSTs

[@lynnemartin2291]

Love the pet beds tip. Love it. Thank you. 🤩🤩

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much Robin, that’s so very helpful and useful to. Very well explained and demonstrated too. Stay safe and well too xxx Mags

[@angelasherman3235]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@rsislandcrafts]

You’re very welcome.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Another way is to use a triangle square up. Leave your unit closed. Align your seam line with the crosswise line that equals your TRIMMED block size. (E.g. if you have a 3" Finished unit, your trimmed size is 3.5--that is the measure line. You can use your square ruler (just turn it) and use the outside lines. However, it is easier with an appropriately marked triangle ruler (or square up rulers) that have lines going all the way across at the base so that you can align all the way across your base. Two cuts and perfect points perfect size.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Yes, that’s another great way to square up a hst. Thanks for sharing. I’m sure It will be very helpful to others that find this video.

[@sheilaokelly6022]

Thank you. That was really helpful.

[@rsislandcrafts]

You're welcome!

[@baprilfresh9]

That was so helpful. Thank you!

[@rsislandcrafts]

You're so welcome!

[@julieholleran974]

Oh this is a wonderful tutorial--thank you--I always have ended up slicing incorrectly before..Thanks Hugs, julierose

[@rsislandcrafts]

You’re welcome! I used to speed through the process and then be so frustrated that things didn’t line up or look nice. Now I know I need to slow down and take the time to line things up properly. Happy sewing!! May all your corners be pointy 😂

[@nicolec4744]

Thank you, this was very helpful! Half square triangles are my nightmare right now lol. I wish I wasn't terrified of my sewing machine, it would sure make this process less painful.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Why is your sewing machine terrifying? I struggled for a long time with half square triangles. So frustrating.

[@eleonoreloundermon2372]

Love the way you teach it. Just learned something new, thanks

[@rsislandcrafts]

Eleonore Loundermon Thank you so much! I’m glad you found something new.

[@petmomful2260]

Thanks. I am ready to try triangles!!

[@pattifenby2049]

So thankful to find this! Very helpful, thank you!

[@rsislandcrafts]

I’m glad I could help. 🦩

[@nbc4172]

Love the very easy to follow instructions.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you Nissa!

[@jeffsbug198]

Makes perfect sense and looks very easy. Thank you!

[@sharonc1282]

Just found your channel. Nice demo. I mess the "squaring up" all the time. Could you demo a block with more pieces (no diagonal running from corners) and sides that are not equal? Yea, THAT is what my blocks are like. ....a mess. I never know what is the most important thing in squaring.....look forward to more quilting videos! 🙂

[@rsislandcrafts]

Welcome!! Do you mean like when you make a simple 9 patch but your edges aren’t all lined up evenly? Sure, I can show you my process.

[@90raisin]

This is helpful thank u!

[@rsislandcrafts]

You’re welcome. I’m glad It was helpful. 🦩

[@corrieernsdorff4351]

excellent demonstration

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you 🦩

[@CarolCurler]

Great teaching!!!!

[@reneejohnson4058]

Thanks for your help, but I think it’s time to change the rotary cutting blade. ☺️

[@rsislandcrafts]

A new rotary blade is amazing. So is a new cutting mat.

[@jillyjack5]

This looks doable :) but I have 18" blocks to square up to 17.5! I don't have a square ruler that big. Do you have any tips? Thanks!

[@rsislandcrafts]

Try this video I made. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn7Fe3SMjM-pY5I If this doesn't help please let me know and I'll see if I can help you out.

[@sandradummer4726]

Where do you get mystery boxes/ bags from?

[@rsislandcrafts]

A several years ago I was part of an online quilt community. There was a “yard sale” section where we could sell our extra fabric etc. A few people would fill a medium flat rate box and post It for sale. We knew It was fabric but we didn’t know what fabric. It was a lot of fun.

[@beverleysimmons8080]

Hi there just got home how was your birthday. Nice day but think more snow day

[@oliviaarizmendez1940]

☺👍💖

[@beverleysimmons8080]

I haven’t done that triangles

[@rsislandcrafts]

I enjoy triangles just in a larger size. There's less bulk from the seams.

[@brendanapoli9330]

)

[@rsislandcrafts]

🦩