Half-Square Triangle Heaven

Some time ago someone in one of my quilting groups gave me an idea on how to make all those itty-bitty half-square triangles without having to pick them up, match the triangles, sew ... so thanks to the great piecer who planted this seed!  When I find out who it was exactly, I'll give full credit ...

Here's the scoop ...

Since the Bake-Apolooza 2011 is done, and since all the Christmas quilts are done and delivered, I decided to work on a project that I've wanted to do for at least 4 years.  I pulled out my Kaffe Fassett fabrics and pattern and I've started piecing one of the quilts.  

 
It involves 87 snowball blocks and of course that means that each snowball has 4 corners that need to be pieced to the block and then trimmed ... and that part that is trimmed is a potential half-square triangle.   

Well, I absolutely HATE HATE HATE handling those itty-bitty pieces so taking that idea from my quilting friend, I double stitched the corners while piecing them to the block. 

Notice that I first sewed about 2 threads out from the diagonal line.  That gives me a little extra fold-over which gives me a much better corner.  Not wonky from having to s-t-r-e-t-c-h up to the corner.   Then using my presser foot as a guide I did a second line.  I made sure that I had enough space between the lines to provide a good seam.  Not a 1/4" seam, but a good 1/8" seam.  If the 2 lines are too close you're going to be cutting into a seam.  Don't want to do that!


 







Yeah, takes a little extra time, but let me tell you ... I have some pretty nice half-square triangles ALREADY PIECED!  Woo woo!!!  

I love getting two jobs done at one time ... pieced snowball blocks ...

and ...



  
a box of perfectly pieced half-square triangles ready to be used ... wherever ... 




These particular hst's are about 2 1/4" square.