A blog about quilting and using the LEFT-EZE Rule - my HST/QST Ruler designed for LEFT-HANDED Quilters -
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Sunday, October 27, 2019
All triangles -
Are NOT created equal - LOL - ;))
I still haven't found my mojo -
But while I was looking for it -
I ran across yet another pattern with BIAS edges all around -
And - even though I am NOT the quilt police -
And you can do as you please -
It IS one of my pet peeves -
So I thought I would post another Public Service Announcement - ;))
I know that most of my readers know that there is a difference between
HST (Half-Square Triangles) and QST (Quarter-Square Triangles) -
And they know - when used in blocks or quilts set "on-point" -
Which one goes where - and why - ;))
It all depends on which way the STRAIGHT of grain goes -
One has it on the straight sides -
One has it on the diagonal -
And which one is which depends on how you cut the original "square" -
And which triangle you get as a result - ;))
Some new quilters may not realize that there is a difference between the two -
And apparently some designers don't know and/or don't care -
I have even seen a die that has them oriented incorrectly on the "board" -
And some think that "a triangle is a triangle" -
Well - it is - but it isn't - LOL - ;))
They each serve a different purpose -
One is used for the corners -
And one is used for the side triangles -
They are NOT interchangeable -
So - this is a Public Service Announcement -
IF you find a block or pattern set on-point -
That has you cut MORE than FOUR HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLES (HST) -
For the sides and/or corners -
It will have ALL of the OUTSIDE EDGES ON THE BIAS - ;))
HOW do I know? -
Simple -
HST - Half-Square Triangles are made several ways - but the ORIGINAL way - and how it got the name - was to start with a square and cut it in HALF - by cutting diagonally ONCE from corner to corner - like this -
When you cut a square that way -
The outside edges of the CORNERS are on the STRAIGHT of grain -
And the diagonal is on the BIAS -
And you only need FOUR of them for ANY rectangular or square quilt - ;))
The pattern I saw - which I will not identify - so I do not embarrass the designer -
Said that you need FOUR triangles for the corners -
So - you were to take a square -
And cut it diagonally TWICE from corner to corner - like this -
True - you get FOUR triangles -
BUT -
When you cut a square that way - you get QST - Quarter-Square Triangles -
The outside edges of the corners are on the BIAS -
And the DIAGONAL is on the STRAIGHT of grain -
And you don't want that in the corners -
Because the outside edges will stretch out of shape -
You want those QST as the SIDE triangles -
Because the DIAGONAL is the STRAIGHT outside edge - ;))
And I don't care how BIG you make your block - or quilt -
It will NEVER have more than FOUR corners -
Assuming it's a rectangle or a square - LOL -
So you will NEVER need MORE than FOUR HST for the corners - ;))
So -
Once again -
IF you find a block or pattern set on-point -
That has you cut MORE than FOUR HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLES (HST) -
For the sides and/or corners -
It will have ALL of the OUTSIDE EDGES ON THE BIAS - ;))
If you're OK with that -
That's fine -
But I'm not - LOL -
I want my CORNER triangles to be on the STRAIGHT of grain -
I want my CORNER triangles to be HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLES - ;))
Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -
You are so smart about these things, triangles, bias edges, and the list goes on. If I want to sew, I often cut without a ruler and attach one piece to another Nilly-Willy. Voila, I’ve sewn! Lol.
ReplyDeleteI agree that those outside edges really should be on straight of grain for practical purposes such as stretch and longevity. If I do all that work, I want the quilt to last.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that a lot of people just don't know the difference. It only takes doing it wrong once to make you remember the right way.
ReplyDeleteWhat you describe is exactly how I was taught in my very first quilt classes.
ReplyDeleteI think in this "get it done, and quick" time that all the "old" ways are being tossed out without considering the implications.
I hope that you find your mojo soon. . .I miss the eye candy.
Have a lovely day.