Half-Square Triangles: The Trimmer

TinaFeatured Products 2 Comments

Do you love the look of half-square triangles (HST) but dread making them? Well, this tool is for you…

This shows the trimmer placed on top of a white fabric half-square triangle, with the top points lining up.

It comes in two sizes, Trimmer A for HST with a half inch and Trimmer B for HST with a full inch. After you sew your triangles together and before you iron them open, is when you want to pull out your new favorite friend, “The Trimmer.”

Determine what size you want for your final HST unit. In this sample, I want a 2” finished unit. Line Trimmer A on your premade triangle unit with the dotted line along the seam. (NOTE: this is a white triangle sewed to a blue triangle, which you can’t see right now.) Don’t worry if the triangle is bigger than the trimmer; that is what you will cut away.

Holding the trimmer firmly, cut away the excess fabric on either side. Before removing the trimmer, use your rotary cutter to cut in the slits on either side of the bottom corners. This will cut away the “dog ears.”

This shows a rotary cutter cutting a white fabric half-square triangle along the outer edge of the plastic triangle trimmer.
This shows a rotary cutter cutting a white fabric half-square triangle along one of the inner notches of the plastic triangle trimmer.

Remove the Trimmer and open your HST. Iron to the dark side and voila! – you have a perfect HST to put into your latest quilt creation.

Finished blue and white half-triangle squares just ready for a quilt.

Want one of these wonderful tools? Stop by the Fabric Nook. You can get both trimmers for $31.50.

About The Author

Tina

Tina

Tina Holley is a third-generation ranching widow, mother, and grandmother whose family roots in Grand County date back to the 1940s. Tina wears many hats and has been sewing for over 45 years... She added another “hat” when she purchased the Fabric Nook from her kindergarten teacher in 2015. Tina is passionate about guiding customers in achieving their personal and creative goals. Her goal is to empower and help make everyone’s idea a beautiful reality about which they can feel great. She began her artistic journey as a garment maker in middle school by designing and creating her own clothes. Later on, she took apart clothes from thrift stores and put them back together to improve her construction and alteration skills. In addition to her sewing expertise, she also knits, crochets, and is an award-winning quilter.

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Comments 2

  2. Post
    Author

    This is a demonstration of a tool that can be purchased. The picture shows the type of square you can make with the tool. Our two block of the month’s for this year are unfortunately sold out. Thanks!

    Reply

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