Tuesday Tutorial -- Quarter Square Triangles

The traditional way to make "quarter square triangles" (aka Hourglass block) is to cut a square 1 1/4" larger than the desired finished size, then cross-cut it twice, corner to corner.  Which is fine if you're using yardage, or even fat quarters.

But what if you want to make quarter square triangles from Jelly Roll strips?  Impossible?

Well, as the man says Do I have a deal for you!

Today's "Tuesday Tute" features a slick ruler that makes it easy to make quarter square triangles from 2 1/2" strips.  Made by Creative Grids, the 90 Degree Strip Ruler for Quarter Square Triangles lets you cut five triangles in one fell swoop.

Designed by Rachel Cross, one great feature of this tool is that it has a built-in 2 1/2" ruler so you can either cut your own strips or use the ruler to trim "feathers" off your strips.

It has little "keyholes" so your rotary cutter cuts all the way to the edge of the triangles.

See that?  If your strip is doubled, ten at a time!

Which is how I cut 560 triangles in less than two hours.

To make the triangles into quarter square triangle blocks, take two matching dark triangles and two matching light triangles.  Place them right sides together, dark on light, and sew along one of the short sides.

 Press -- carefully -- toward the dark (don't distort the shape of your triangles!).

And this is what you get:

Now place the two pieces right sides together (the dark will be over the light and vice versa).  Be sure the seam is pointing toward your machine needle so the seams "snuggle."  Stitch along the long side. et voila!

Perfect!  Repeat.  Repeat.  Repeat.  And you get 60 block centers:

 I have two more rows done now, this is the quilt for May Strip Club at High Country Quilts. 

Have you commented yet to enter my giveaway here?  Not to nag, but really -- free fabric!