How much do you love half-square triangle trimming?
I usually find it to be necessary and chalk it up to part of the process, but there’s no reason we can’t be smarter in how we work!
I prefer to make the units slightly larger and trim to size, that way I know that they are perfect. And not because I have to make things perfect. Perfect pieces make sewing multiple units together so much easier, so I go through all the motions even when sewing on a deadline project!
This half-square triangle trimming tip is best applied when you are using a high-quality thread that doesn’t take up a ton of space in the seam allowance. My current fave is Aurifil 50wt. Line up the ruler on the seam as shown, and trim two sides before pressing open.
Since I had so many to trim, I put a line of tape on the ruler so I didn’t have to find the mark every time. If you are just making a few, find the unfinished size of your unit, and line up the ruler. These were trimmed to 3 1/2″
Want a closer look? Check out my video tutorial all about the Half-Square Triangle:
PS – So many patterns use this method, it’s a great technique to learn!
Thanks so much, Amy! As a beginner, I can use all the help I can get, and I just love half square triangles. :)
I love this tip. I hate trimming half-square triangles. This looks so much easier than what I have been doing. Thank you from Texas!
I just recently learned this trick, and it’s the best one ever!!!
LOL, so obvious when you show it! Thanks!
Thank you Amy for a great tip! I love to use triangels and never thought to trim them before opening. This helps a lot. Happy New Year! x Teje
Oh wow, I wish I’d known of this tip before, thank you, resisting the urge to start a new quilt tonight just to try this out ;)
Brilliant! And, I just trimmed 80 or so of these today. This would have saved some time for sure. Next time! Thanks.
Great tip Amy, cutting the time of trimming in half. Thank you.
Great tip Amy. Phyllis Scotland
Would aurifil 50 be a thinner thread??
Hi Janelle – thinner than?
I like to use high-quality thin threads that don’t take up too much space in the seam allowance, once my seams are pressed open.
Hope that helps!
Thank goodness for smart people like you! This is such a timesaver!!
Thank you so much for this tutorial, Amy. I have stayed away from HSTs as much as possible. Now I need to step out of my box. Thank you for giving me the confidence with this excellent job!
Oh my goodness – a game changer! I also found that if I put a small piece of double sided tape in the triangle on the back of my ruler, it added just enough tack to hold the fabric still and made it so easy to pick up the HST off the mat away from the trimmings. Thank you so much for this tutorial!!!
Thank you so much! I’ve joined a quilt along and this technique will save my brain!!
Thanks for showing me an easier way appreciated