Tools of the Trade

Thanks to all of you who gave me such great suggestions for making the paper piecing of Half Square Triangle units easier.  I have tried shortening my stitch length and that made a big difference.  Now I need some larger needles!  I will try out some of the other ideas for ripping the paper off and see how I do.

Here is a little tip I can can pass along in return.  I love my Precision Trimmer ruler.  I use it for my non paper pieced half square triangles.

 
You just align your block with the diagonal seam on the diagonal line, and the edges on the solid line and trim away.  Perfect HSTs every time.

If your block units are accurate, your blocks will go together like a dream!

Here is a picture of the ruler.  I know it looks upside down, but this is the orientation for the way I use it.  See the diagonal lines?  See the solid lines and the measurement notations?

 

This is how you use it when making Hour Glass units.

 
The diagonal markings have a little circle that you line up exactly dead center, where all your points come together.  In an ideal world, the dotted diagonal lines also will line up with your seam lines.

Trim the right side and the top, move your block around and reposition the ruler to trim the other two sides.

 
Perfect Hour Glass block!  Love that ruler.  If you don't have one, well, you should!

Have a lovely day everyone!

 

Comments

[sillysally]

Wow, am I the first comment? Cool tools you have there Nicole. They certainly seem to work nicely for you. BTW, Happy Veteran's day to any and all of you and your hubbys who are currently serving or have served in the armed forces. Thanks for all you do for our country!!

[Kathleen]

Do you make your units a smidge bigger so that you can trim them to perfect size? I've always wondered if that was the way to go.

[Sara]

Add that ruler to my stocking please, Santa!

[sherri]

Wow...I have never heard of this ruler...I definitely need one though...I'll be on the lookout!

[Loris Mills]

Nice ruler! Thanks for sharing it!

[Diane]

I have always loved my bias square ruler for hsts, but this ruler is great for hour glass units as well. Thanks for sharing.

[penny]

hmmm another very important item to add to my ever growing list!

[Karen]

I bought the Precision Trimmer ruler on your recommendation and I just love it. I make my HSTs a bit bigger and trim. Just my own personal preference.

[MJinMichigan]

I haven't found it necessary to use a larger needle with the spinning star paper. Just decrease the stitch length and run your nail along the paper at the seam to weaken it before removal. Also, don't just pull the paper from the point. Tear it downward along the seam line and you'll be surprised by how easily it comes off.

[Carol]

I love my Precision Trimmer...use it all the time!

[LoriD]

That looks like a handy ruler!! I always oversize my triangles, then trim.

[Linda]

Thanks so much for including the part with the hourglass blocks! That ruler seems NICE! I think you talked about that ruler before but I forgot what it was called, so thanks for posting it again! I'm going to check the shop to see if they have it!

[ina]

Very nice! ANd look at how beautifully your triangle seams lined up! Well done. ;0

I think I need one of those rulers. If I learned ANYTHING from quilting it's that the tools can make or break you!

[Erika Sews]

Great tip, I never knew about the Precision Trimmer before! Since we're talking tips, have you found www.WeAllSew.com yet? Lots of sewing and quilting tips with new links being posted each week - it's great!