Tricks For Trimming Half Square Triangles - Sew Well with Rob Appell

Rob Appell will show off a few fun and easier ways for trimming the Half Square Triangle Unit.
See both the Slotted Trimmer and the Bloc-Loc rulers demonstrated and learn the differences between both great tools.
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[@christinegrossi4430]

Forgot to say thanks for a good demo of both rulers.

[@jpowley2691]

I love the slotted trimmer! Thank you for the great demo. 😊

[@shawnswain5826]

I’m getting the side-eye from my boyfriend because I’ve bought about eight new templates in the last month! It seems like every time I buy a new gadget a better one comes out the next day!

[@AnitaSouthall]

I think you have to do your research and decide what kind of quilting you prefer. Are you scrappy happy pieces or a pattern perfectionist? How often will you really use each item? I limit my spending to what I think will help the most. Whatever you use closest at hand the most often is your guide to its value.

[@conniel.4601]

I have the bloc loc, very handy.

[@amycrowell6116]

That's fascinating! I haven't worked with too many triangle patterns, and now I know how to make it easier!

[@karenbrunette6314]

Ty for showing how to trim them multiple ways

[@kareneddy801]

Thank you, Rob for the tips. I use the flat end of that purple thang to initially open up the seam, kind of like finger pressing. Then I follow it with the iron. I use a small iron, which makes it easier.

[@patriciaanastasio521]

Thank you for this lesson. I learned so much. I am new at quilting and just love your teachings. 😊

[@judydelaet1471]

yes complaining helps anything go better!!! Maybe it helps calm us and then it goes better!! I just trimmed up a gazzilion hst, separated them by size into bags! My advice is whatever method you use if you're going to keep them cut offs to square them up right away and store by size!

[@amazecrafted4588]

I would love to see more applique videos!! Can you host how laser cut fusible appliques are made?

[@StitchinHeaven]

Yes, I will try to get some video when I am in Texas, we cut all of our own appliqués at Stitchin’ Heaven

[@Chriscreations123]

I love my slotted trimmer and my new pattern book Splice Magic. I made a beautiful quilt in hardly no time at all

[@LAQuinn68]

Have always started with a metal double pointed knitting needle to open up the seam and I say “start” because after a couple of blocks I usually do not need it. Any metal knitting needle will do but I prefer the short double point 🌻

[@melterpstra8999]

I use the tip of the iron to start opening the seam at the beginning of the seam. It takes extra time to press open but it also takes extra time to deal with bulky points when sewing points together. Pick your poison! Great video Rob.

[@annbarth7358]

Hello Rob, I use the tip of my iron to separate the fabrics in the seam before pressing. My iron has a "dolphin nose" style tip and works great. Another great video.

[@liekie]

I also use the tip of my iron the open my seems.

[@michelleinScotland]

Thanks for showing how to use these tools - it's all very well having the tools but I do need to know how to use them correctly. I'm definitely going to try coming from the middle of my rulers because I do notice that the corners are getting damaged. Tip for pressing the seams open - I use a mini iron - somehow seems to do it easier.

[@abg4501]

Thank you for showing how to use these rulers Rob! Use a tool initially to press open that seam and then use the iron. Saves your fingers!

[@dagmarl8061]

Hi Rob, to open the seams for pressing i like the Clover Finger Presser or the Clover Roll&Press tool. Thank you for your great videos and greetings from Germany

[@maryhudgins9133]

You always explain things so well! Great video

[@kendranewton9071]

Thank you, I also use slotted trimmers, they are fantastic!

[@karenbiffle154]

I too have trouble pressing seams open. Kimberly Jolly presses to one side first, then presses open. Her method does work better for me when I need it! Thanks for the videos!

[@TheJAG1357]

Great video. Thank you for your guidance on these rulers. I always look forward to seeing your videos ❤. Have a great day.

[@tammyoconnell218]

Your videos are always very helpful! Working on some hst now.

[@nnickerson7636]

hi Rob, thanks for all of the info. I have the slotted trimmers and I really, really like them, but i still dont use them to trim off the dog ears 😁 hope you have a great day.

[@dollieschuster9106]

You could use a wooden roller tool to smooth down the seams to open them up. I've seen this done on the KZbin "The Sewing Channel ".

[@jennystrahley927]

It's probably because in my younger days I made most of my clothes, but I almost always press my seams open. I get flatter seams and it's easier for me to match up the seam lines rather than to press seams to one side for nesting seams. I just don't have much success with nesting. I'll share my process since you asked for us to share our tips: After I set the seam with my iron, I lay the piece with the pretty side down. Without using the iron yet, I use both hands to gently pull fabric away from the seam, and starting in the middle of the seam I use my pointer fingers on both hands to guide the seam open. One finger opens up the seam and other finger/fingernail presses to open up the seam. I do this all the way down the seam and then I use my iron by starting on one end. Then I turn it over and press on the pretty side. It works for me. Always enjoy your videos 😊

[@carriesaindon5382]

You mentioned the martelli rotating mat. I use the martelli half square triangle templates and I don't have to trim them after I sew.

[@lindaburke3442]

You can use a stiletto to help open your seams. And iron.

[@sueoferrell7673]

I have started ironing open my seams, mostly because I " inherited" a bunch of kaleidoscope blocks. The person who started them ironed the seams to the side and they're very difficult to work with when joining. I find if I finger press the first inch of the seam open then getting the iron in there is easier. Then I gently push the fabric on either side away from the seam and it opens up.

[@cathymoore8978]

Hi Rob, I use Easy Press solution with the pen applicator before trying to open my seams. The solution also helps your seams be very flat.

[@AnitaSouthall]

I also have Creative Grids corner clipper ruler in 2 sizes and they have HST trimming instructions. Plus they are great for 45 degree binding joins

[@sweetibbies]

I love the information you share with us

[@denisev.1217]

Thanks Rob! I appreciate your detail!

[@tracystrobel1065]

I found to press the seams open it helps to first press to one side, then turn the block over having the pressed side going away from you and pull the seam down towards you and press. I have both the rulers you showed today and I do prefer the Slotted Trimmer too. Thanks for a great video. 💚💚

[@AnitaSouthall]

I've tried your method with some success 🙌 👌

[@tracystrobel1065]

@@AnitaSouthall oh im glad it works for you. I do starch my fabrics first so it makes it easier to use cuz its not as flimsy.

[@daleodberg6714]

Thank you, real good.

[@karenscribner7031]

When you have a pile of HSTs to trim, trim the first two sides and pile them up. Turn the whole pile and trim the second two sides. It will save a lot of time for you

[@AnitaSouthall]

Makes sense to me, chain pressing instead of piecing.

[@maureenbaron2288]

...I've seen where they use like a paint roller...but like a 2" wide wooden roller...I haven't tried it tho...roller backorder. TU 4 tutorials.

[@AnitaSouthall]

It's a seam roller

[@lorinaczynski7327]

Hi Rob, I always use Clover's Point 2 Point Turner to separate the fabrics, do a press down on it with the tool, like a finger press, then iron it open. It works great!

[@StitchinHeaven]

great idea, I was thinking about a medium crochet hook that I have, sounds like a clever idea.

[@AnitaSouthall]

My next bucket list item is a seam roller. Which is designed to flatten slightly better than finger pressing

[@christinegrossi4430]

I don’t know why, but I find it easy to open the seams with my fingers. At first, I used my stiletto, but find I don’t need it.

[@MarliesMonllor]

Hey Rob. I heard if u iron to the dark side first then it's easier to iron open.

[@michellekoehler4263]

I'm trying this method on my current quilt and like it. No half-square triangles on this quilt, though, so I'll try on my next one.

[@AnitaSouthall]

May the piece be with you 🤣🤣🤣

[@kayweston2106]

Finger press!! I like less bulk, tooxxxx

[@DianebelongstoChrist]

Martelli Seam Assistant tool makes ironing open seams a lot easier.

[@Cactus305]

I have the same bulk problem. I was thinking I might try making the seam 1/2 inch for my next project. Might be easier to open up for ironing. What do you think?

[@bq1428]

👍

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Marti Mitchel cuts just inside, rolls back and then follows through to prevent pushing the fabric as you note. Your struggle with opening the seams is precisely why I don't bother with opening the seams up. However, having a pressing plan helps greatly in AVOIDING seam build up so that seams are nested. And if your seaming plan goes wrong....clip to not through the recalcitrant seam is one way to (wo)manhandle (push to the obverse) the seams. I'm so used to tactile matching/nesting seams I dislike joining opened seams (reason 2). I use the eight at a time method for making like HST's. I prefer to trim using the seam line (for 2 cuts in one pass). I piece exclusively with an 80 wt cottonized polyester (Wonderfil Decobob) so thread takes up smaller space so it opens to correct size without pressing seam open. Production tip for finishing: Press as desired/ Take the entire stack and make the first two cuts, then rotate the entire pile for the second pass. Rotating each block at each cut is more time consuming. When you are making hundreds of these, any time savings helps greatly.

[@karenbrunette6314]

Help, if you need a 31/2 hst triangle ,and you start out with a 37/8 why isn’t the block ending up 31/2 I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong ( new sewer just started in July) I only cut off the dog ears nothing else …any advice is greatly appreciated thank you

[@amazecrafted4588]

I would love to see more applique videos!! Can you host how laser cut fusible appliques are made?