Square Up Blocks Perfectly with This DIY Specialty Ruler

[@susanstraub6374]

A simple solution for HST squaring! This tip will definitely be put to good use. Thank you, Mary.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You're so welcome! I use it ALL THE TIME! Enjoy!

[@debjacobson9800]

Thank you Mary 🧵

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You are so welcome

[@cindyvanhoy4006]

Really appreciate your clever tips, Mary! Thank you!😊 I would love some fabric scrap storage ideas sometime!😂

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Thank you! I'll add that to my list! Sounds like a great idea.

[@kathleenkumiega1092]

Thank you Mary😊

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You are so welcome

[@mary-jofoster7059]

This tip works well for cutting multiple strips too. Just make the tape lip at the line on your long ruler for the width you need. The tape peels off easily without gunk when you're through. Also, layer the 5 pieces of tape right on the cutting mat and then trim one side with your blade. Peel up the tape and put the perfectly straight edge on your ruler line. Thanks Mary for your joyful videos. I always watch on with my morning coffee.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Great idea!!! Thank you so much and it's a pleasure joining you in the morning! Thanks for watching!

[@marisanepote9255]

What a great tip- thank you

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You are so welcome!

[@LauraHendrick-ul4vc]

Love your tip

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janblack7276]

Great tip. ❤

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeanabrosseau6202]

Thanks Mary! Great tip, and I just happen to have a spare 6 1/2" square ruler!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Wonderful!!! Glad it was helpful!

[@JanetVariell]

great tip thank you

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You're welcome!

[@lemonthyme18]

Great tip! I have a ruler with a lip but it is not big enough for my current project. This is perfect timing. Thanks.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You're so welcome! Let us know how it works!

[@carriesaindon5382]

Do you have any tips for those of us that press our seam open?

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

When pressing open, there is still a little bit of a lip on your seam where the seam allowance is pressed to each side of the seam. You will need to be a bit more careful holding your ruler in place as you trim, but it is possible to use the lip the painters tape creates to help you align your block on the diagonal and trim the seam.

[@carriesaindon5382]

Great. Thank you 😊

[@sarahstewart2059]

Yet again, another use for painters tape 😂 great tip for sure and have been thinking about this as of late. At the beginning stage of cutting yardage into 10x10 squares to use for a quilt, some being HST. Not a wasteful woman usually, but for this project, it's more of a yardage production line simplified math approach and make 10x10 squares and then square up to 9 ½ after the fact. Curious if you have any thoughts on squaring up a two at a time HST prior to cutting it down the center line and then trimming the dog ears after? Is that even possible? Haha Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Cheers from BC Canada 🇨🇦 ❤

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I"m not sure there's an accurate way to trim two HSTs at a time without one of them getting a little off. I think the time-saver here is to be able to create more than one HST at a time, but I believe the only way to trim accurately is one at a time. There is a ruler that allows you to trim the sides of the triangle (before opening the HST after sewing) that appears to be a bit of a time saver. I will be doing a video on that soon. I haven't tested it yet myself, so I don't want to recommend it until I've given it a try. Thanks so much for sharing, for commenting and for joining us from BC Canada! Welcome!!!

[@sarahstewart2059]

@joyfulandmerryquilting agreed. I'm going to put the theory to the test, but I'm positive they are one at a time trimming as you say. That hst ruler is fantastic from everything I've seen and makes sense to me.tp trim closed rather than open. Sewing on the bias and opening them up then pressing then trimming.. I'd be that person and check three times 😂 I look forward to watching your video about it! ❤️

[@LillianDanielson]

Where is the handout that shows the measurements and formulas for making half squares

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

If you're registered for our Beginning Quilter Course: From Novice to Confident Beginner, it is at the end of the the Week #4 handout.