Friday, January 6, 2017

Bustin' the Scrap Piles with Easy HST: Day 6



HST the Easy Way

Even after yesterday's Scrappy Trips Around the World quilt, I still had a big pile of 5" squares left over. Sticking with my new theory of dealing with scraps as they happen, I took control. There is a terribly easy, no stress, low attention way to turn them into HST. (I say this because I plowed through the stacks all day while hanging with the dogs, and catching up on some t.v., and still didn't screw it up. I like that kind of sewing!)


Take two 5" squares and line up with right sides facing.
I know this picture shows them slightly off, but you want
yours to stack one on top of the next.

Sew a 1/4" seam all around the perimeter. Don't worry 
about stopping precisely in each corner, just git 'er done.


Using your ruler and rotary cutter, slice corner to corner.
I was not concerned about accuracy with mine, and found I could cut up to 6 sets at once.

While not the most accurate diagram, you can still get an idea how the two layers will open into 4 HST. A quick pressing toward the darker half will yield a pile of them in no time.

At this point you may choose to square each one up, or as I have intended turn them into more 'organic' blocks. HST are one of the most versatile components of scrap quilts. I see a bright future for these tomorrow, and my kitchen table is nearly clear of scraps now.

Tomorrow I'll be back in the studio, and get them into a quilt. See you then!

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.



5 comments:

Angie in SoCal said...

I've used that method but with bigger blocks. What did yours come out to - 2.5"? This will be your fourth - you're moving!

Nancy said...

The colors you've chosen to use look beautiful together. The thing about making HSTs this way is that the edges all end up on the bias. That would probably be great for an on-point setting, though.

Stitchin At Home said...

I haven't tried that method yet. Less scraps and lovely hst's how can you go wrong?

Unknown said...

I have used this method many times!! Very easy and quite productive. I have not 'risked' doing multiple sets yet. Again, Julie, you inspire me. So today I shall do a few. I think my arm for rotary cutting is weak - arm wearing out I guess! lol

Kate said...

I've not tried this method before. Will have to consider that when faced with lots of HSTs. Looking forward to seeing the next scrappy endeavor this month.