Making No Mark Half-Square Triangles the Easy Way

I've been cruising the web to find what experts can tell us about how to create a nicer quilt possibly in less time.  Speaking of time, if you really, really hate spending all that time marking the backs of half-square triangles then you are going to love this tip from April Rosenthal.  It's a no-mark, no-brainer and is so easy and simple.

You will need to get a piece of painter's tape and mark one line right down the middle of it.

Now mark another line a 1/4" away on either side of the first line.  Put the tape on your extension table lining up the middle line with your needle.  Be sure you don't place the tape over the feed dogs.  Okay, we're good so far.

So this is how you use it...To sew a standard HST, line up the top corner with your needle and place it under the presser foot.  Align the other corner with the middle line on the painter's tape, just like in the photo above.  Start sewing keeping the bottom corner on the middle line as you sew.  Sew all the way to the other corner.  Set the seam with your iron and trim the excess.  Press open toward the dark fabric.  

To make two HSTs just align your top corner with the 1/4" seam allowance and the right or left line marked on your tape.  Sew (this is a good time use use chain sewing) then rotate and repeat on the other side of the diagonal.

Cut between the two seams, set the seams and press toward the dark.

I hope you'll try this tip from April Rosenthal.  I know I'm going to.

Grammy

Be sure to visit my Etsy Shop!