There you see 224 half-square triangles. These were an absolute breeze to make with the Easy Angle® ruler. In all the current rage for triangle papers, you may have forgotten about the Easy Angle. It is the fastest, easiest way to make half-square triangles that I know of.
My son Ahren gave me a lot of the fabric to make this Holly Berries quilt using Cinnaberry by 3 Sisters. I had in mind to get it finished by Christmas so he could enjoy it when he visits, but who knows if he will be able to come home from Ireland this December. At any rate, the pattern calls for 224 four-inch half square triangles.
It was a warm day on Sunday, so I got my fabric all starched* and hung out to dry in the sunshine. Would you believe that fabric was dry in less than an hour? What a difference from trying to starch fabric in February and waiting a day and a half for it to dry! Since the fabric was all starched, dry and ready, I jumped in and cut my 4 inch strips.
The first step in making half-square triangle units with the Easy Angle is to cut strips exactly the unfinished size of your HSTs. You can cut wider strips, thus making larger half-square triangle units, which you then trim down to your perfect size. I have often done this in the past, but this time I decided to live dangerously, and just went ahead and cut my strips 4" and hoped for the best. What you see above is two strips of fabric, a dark and a light, right sides together, which will be cut into units ready to be stacked and stitched.
With the Easy Angle ruler, you just move the tool along the strip, lining the markings up carefully to your desired size and cut. After each cut, you flip the ruler and cut your next unit. I was using fat eighths cuts of fabric and could cut two 4 inch strips from each, making a total of 16 half-square triangle units from each piece. I had fourteen lights and fourteen darks.
I swear this process went like lightning, it was so fast. The photo above shows half my units all stacked up ready to sew together. The light and dark fabric for each HST is layered together so all I had to do was pick up each unit, make sure the fabrics were still lined up properly and stitch. I got those 224 units done and dusted while I listened to two book review podcasts.
No trimming, no lines to draw, no papers to pick off. And every single one I checked was right at 4". I think the practice of starching fabric before cutting and sewing makes a huge difference in piecing accuracy. All the same, I was very pleased to re-acquaint myself with my Easy Angle ruler, and get all those half-square triangle units made in no time at all.
You probably have an Easy Angle tossed into one of the drawers in your sewing room. I encourage you to dig it out and get to know it again.
*NOTE: I am getting questions in the comments regarding my starching technique. I use cans of Faultless Heavy Duty Spray Starch to starch my fabric. I completely saturate the fabric so that it is literally dripping wet with starch. I dry it on drying racks on my porch. I buy starch cans by the dozens and go through them really fast. I use a LOT of starch. When the fabric dries it is stiff as paper. I do iron it before cutting. It is a dream to sew with starched fabric. Your piecing will never be more accurate as it is with starched fabric.
63 responses to “Half Square Triangles with Easy Angle®”
Good Morning. Question for you. Why do you wash your fabric in starch and not just starch from a can? As always, I so enjoy your blog with my first cup of coffee in the morning. Enjoy your day.
Claire
Good Morning. Question for you. Why do you wash your fabric in starch and not just starch from a can? As always, I so enjoy your blog with my first cup of coffee in the morning. Enjoy your day.
Claire
Good Morning. Question for you. Why do you wash your fabric in starch and not just starch from a can? As always, I so enjoy your blog with my first cup of coffee in the morning. Enjoy your day.
Claire
I love that ruler too! It sure beats pulling off all that triangle paper…..
I love that ruler too! It sure beats pulling off all that triangle paper…..
I love that ruler too! It sure beats pulling off all that triangle paper…..
It’s going to be a beautiful quilt. Red and cream is my favorite color combination. Can you describe your starch process? What starch do you use? Do you just saturate the fabric and let it dry, then iron? Thanks!
It’s going to be a beautiful quilt. Red and cream is my favorite color combination. Can you describe your starch process? What starch do you use? Do you just saturate the fabric and let it dry, then iron? Thanks!
It’s going to be a beautiful quilt. Red and cream is my favorite color combination. Can you describe your starch process? What starch do you use? Do you just saturate the fabric and let it dry, then iron? Thanks!
You explain things so well. I think I’ll get that baby out today and play with it!
You explain things so well. I think I’ll get that baby out today and play with it!
You explain things so well. I think I’ll get that baby out today and play with it!
Sure wish I had used your method! I used three sheets of layer cake papers but just don’t like sewing through paper. Then switched to the magic eight method of making oversized units. I finished sewing the triangles but they are patiently waiting for me to trim them.
Sure wish I had used your method! I used three sheets of layer cake papers but just don’t like sewing through paper. Then switched to the magic eight method of making oversized units. I finished sewing the triangles but they are patiently waiting for me to trim them.
Sure wish I had used your method! I used three sheets of layer cake papers but just don’t like sewing through paper. Then switched to the magic eight method of making oversized units. I finished sewing the triangles but they are patiently waiting for me to trim them.
I totally agree that using the Easy Angle ruler is the perfect way to make HSTs. I use it when I need to snowball corners. I flip the ruler and trim the other point flat.
Hugs
I totally agree that using the Easy Angle ruler is the perfect way to make HSTs. I use it when I need to snowball corners. I flip the ruler and trim the other point flat.
Hugs
I totally agree that using the Easy Angle ruler is the perfect way to make HSTs. I use it when I need to snowball corners. I flip the ruler and trim the other point flat.
Hugs
I will have to dig around and find my ruler. I need to get back in the sewing room. Thanks for the great reminder!
Mary
I will have to dig around and find my ruler. I need to get back in the sewing room. Thanks for the great reminder!
Mary
I will have to dig around and find my ruler. I need to get back in the sewing room. Thanks for the great reminder!
Mary
I have used the Easy Angle ruler but always trimmed to size. I will try the starch method the next time. Thanks Nicole.
Lesley.
I have used the Easy Angle ruler but always trimmed to size. I will try the starch method the next time. Thanks Nicole.
Lesley.
I have used the Easy Angle ruler but always trimmed to size. I will try the starch method the next time. Thanks Nicole.
Lesley.
Beautiful fabrics! And what a joy to have perfect-size units. I learned about starch from you, and now swear by it, too. I never thought I could make perfect tiny blocks — but with starch, voila! It’s one of my favourite quilting ‘tools.’ Thanks for the Easy Angle demo.
Beautiful fabrics! And what a joy to have perfect-size units. I learned about starch from you, and now swear by it, too. I never thought I could make perfect tiny blocks — but with starch, voila! It’s one of my favourite quilting ‘tools.’ Thanks for the Easy Angle demo.
Beautiful fabrics! And what a joy to have perfect-size units. I learned about starch from you, and now swear by it, too. I never thought I could make perfect tiny blocks — but with starch, voila! It’s one of my favourite quilting ‘tools.’ Thanks for the Easy Angle demo.
‘You probably have an Easy Angle tossed in one of the drawers in your sewing room’ made me laugh! A couple of days ago a friend asked me how I store my rulers…tossed in a drawer was my exact answer! Which is, sadly, why there are some duplicates in there! Stay well!
‘You probably have an Easy Angle tossed in one of the drawers in your sewing room’ made me laugh! A couple of days ago a friend asked me how I store my rulers…tossed in a drawer was my exact answer! Which is, sadly, why there are some duplicates in there! Stay well!
‘You probably have an Easy Angle tossed in one of the drawers in your sewing room’ made me laugh! A couple of days ago a friend asked me how I store my rulers…tossed in a drawer was my exact answer! Which is, sadly, why there are some duplicates in there! Stay well!
Just curious, what were the names of the podcasts?
Just curious, what were the names of the podcasts?
Just curious, what were the names of the podcasts?
Great post, Nicole! I’ve probably told you this before, but the Easy Angle was one of the first rulers I purchased along with the companion ruler and I’ve never once used them! I have a lady of the lake quilt kit collected and it’ll be perfect for the EA. Soon……..lol.
Great post, Nicole! I’ve probably told you this before, but the Easy Angle was one of the first rulers I purchased along with the companion ruler and I’ve never once used them! I have a lady of the lake quilt kit collected and it’ll be perfect for the EA. Soon……..lol.
Great post, Nicole! I’ve probably told you this before, but the Easy Angle was one of the first rulers I purchased along with the companion ruler and I’ve never once used them! I have a lady of the lake quilt kit collected and it’ll be perfect for the EA. Soon……..lol.
A great tip for the triangles, I will try it when I get to my kit for this quilt. I use starch too but it is difficult to find around here so I started using undiluted laundry starch that comes in a gallon bottle (very inexpensive, about $6 for the bottle) and I put it in a trigger spray bottle with water, ratio 1 part starch to 4 parts water. You can dilute it less if you like really heavy starch.
A great tip for the triangles, I will try it when I get to my kit for this quilt. I use starch too but it is difficult to find around here so I started using undiluted laundry starch that comes in a gallon bottle (very inexpensive, about $6 for the bottle) and I put it in a trigger spray bottle with water, ratio 1 part starch to 4 parts water. You can dilute it less if you like really heavy starch.
A great tip for the triangles, I will try it when I get to my kit for this quilt. I use starch too but it is difficult to find around here so I started using undiluted laundry starch that comes in a gallon bottle (very inexpensive, about $6 for the bottle) and I put it in a trigger spray bottle with water, ratio 1 part starch to 4 parts water. You can dilute it less if you like really heavy starch.
It’s great to have a few tricks in your tool bag. This ruler is great when you only have strips!
It’s great to have a few tricks in your tool bag. This ruler is great when you only have strips!
It’s great to have a few tricks in your tool bag. This ruler is great when you only have strips!
Dang! That is awesome. The fabric is gorgeous. Ahren will be able to fly here but going home will be dicey. Ireland will probably require him to go into 14 day quarantine. 🙁
Amazingly, I don’t own that ruler. How did that happen? I guess I better go buy it and try it out….
Dang! That is awesome. The fabric is gorgeous. Ahren will be able to fly here but going home will be dicey. Ireland will probably require him to go into 14 day quarantine. 🙁
Amazingly, I don’t own that ruler. How did that happen? I guess I better go buy it and try it out….
Dang! That is awesome. The fabric is gorgeous. Ahren will be able to fly here but going home will be dicey. Ireland will probably require him to go into 14 day quarantine. 🙁
Amazingly, I don’t own that ruler. How did that happen? I guess I better go buy it and try it out….
Somehow I tend to forget about the Easy Angle, but it does let one zip along on those triangles. I think the real secret of it’s success is that you’re sewing on a grain line instead of bias.
And another starching question. Sometimes my fabric has a crease or wrinkle from the store. Do you iron that out before starching or does thoroughly wetting the fabric and hanging it take care of that? I might have to try this method because your work is always so precise.
Somehow I tend to forget about the Easy Angle, but it does let one zip along on those triangles. I think the real secret of it’s success is that you’re sewing on a grain line instead of bias.
And another starching question. Sometimes my fabric has a crease or wrinkle from the store. Do you iron that out before starching or does thoroughly wetting the fabric and hanging it take care of that? I might have to try this method because your work is always so precise.
Somehow I tend to forget about the Easy Angle, but it does let one zip along on those triangles. I think the real secret of it’s success is that you’re sewing on a grain line instead of bias.
And another starching question. Sometimes my fabric has a crease or wrinkle from the store. Do you iron that out before starching or does thoroughly wetting the fabric and hanging it take care of that? I might have to try this method because your work is always so precise.
What happens when you get your quilt babk from the quilter.? Do you wash it before gifting it?
What happens when you get your quilt babk from the quilter.? Do you wash it before gifting it?
What happens when you get your quilt babk from the quilter.? Do you wash it before gifting it?
I do have one of those easy angles here. I don’t remember using it in years. Thanks for the reminder.
I do have one of those easy angles here. I don’t remember using it in years. Thanks for the reminder.
I do have one of those easy angles here. I don’t remember using it in years. Thanks for the reminder.
I actually have that ruler and I came across it yesterday when I was looking for another ruler. Thanks to you mentioning it, I got it out and dusted it off and plan on using it in my next project!
I actually have that ruler and I came across it yesterday when I was looking for another ruler. Thanks to you mentioning it, I got it out and dusted it off and plan on using it in my next project!
I actually have that ruler and I came across it yesterday when I was looking for another ruler. Thanks to you mentioning it, I got it out and dusted it off and plan on using it in my next project!
I made a queen size quilt for my daughter out of HST’s, 3860, all cut using Easy Angle.
I made a queen size quilt for my daughter out of HST’s, 3860, all cut using Easy Angle.
I made a queen size quilt for my daughter out of HST’s, 3860, all cut using Easy Angle.
Full quarter inch or scant quarter inch? This is the problem I find with most of these rulers. FYI, I was cleaning out my ridiculous collection of rulers & just threw out the Easy Angle because I never used it. Luckily, the garbage bag is still in my sewing room!
Full quarter inch or scant quarter inch? This is the problem I find with most of these rulers. FYI, I was cleaning out my ridiculous collection of rulers & just threw out the Easy Angle because I never used it. Luckily, the garbage bag is still in my sewing room!
Full quarter inch or scant quarter inch? This is the problem I find with most of these rulers. FYI, I was cleaning out my ridiculous collection of rulers & just threw out the Easy Angle because I never used it. Luckily, the garbage bag is still in my sewing room!