Nifty Notions

Do you make a lot of half square triangles for blocks like this? Or this

or this

or this

Or maybe this.

Whatever block you like to make if you make a lot of half square triangles have I got the tool for you. A couple of years ago I took a class from Kaye England. Kaye is the nicest person. I thoroughly enjoyed her class. And can I just say that what I learned in that class has helped me immensely. With her little tool my half square triangles go together so smoothly and my points meet just so. I saw Kaye at Quilt Market in Portland last spring and I just could not thank her enough for this wonderful tool. So are you wondering if I am just going to keep rambling or am I going to tell you about this tool. Well not only am I going to tell you about this tool, I’m going to show you how to use it.

First it is Nifty Notions half square triangle. It looks like this.

To use it you cut two strips. The strips should be cut 1/2″ bigger than you want your finished half square triangle to be. Example if you want a 2″ block cut your strips 2 1/2″.

Place your strips right sides together. You might want to cut the end to ensure that the ends of both strip meet. Place the Nifty Notions half square triangle ruler on your strip so that there is a long side on your left hand side and along the bottom of your strip. Line up the edge of your strip along the bottom and on the size measurement you want for your triangle. As in example given before it would be the 2 1/2″ line. Cut along third edge to make your triangle.
Next flip your ruler so that the long edge is along the top and the diagonal line rest on the line you just cut. Line up the top edge so that it reads the measurement you want. 2 1/2 inches for example. Then cut along third side to create another pair of triangles. Repeat this process for the amount of half square triangles you need. Take you little pile of triangles to your sewing matching and feed them through.

Open them up and press. Wha la you have a perfect little half square triangle. To make all those fun blocks you love.