This tutorial shows how to make HST
units using the stacked squares method. In this method, you cut one square from
each of two fabrics to create two, identical HST units.
Cutting:
Since we’ll be dealing with a bias seam, I recommend
spraying your fabrics with starch before cutting them.
Time saving tip: Layer your fabrics
right-sides together when you’re cutting your squares. This way, both fabrics
are cut to exactly the same size, and you don’t have to spend time matching
edges before you sew.
NOTE: When I measure my fabric, I’m making sure that the
edge of my fabric is hitting the outside
edge of my measurement line.
Now we’re ready to sew!
Sewing:
Sew a scant 1/4” away from this line. Note in the right-hand photo, that
my drawn (pink) line is directly under the 4-3/4” ruler mark, but my needle is
positioned just to the left if the 4-1/2” mark (blue dashed
line). My seam is just a little less than
1/4" wide.
(Alternatively, I could have my drawn
line just under the 4-1/4” ruler marking, and then sew with my needle just to
the right of the 4-1/2” marking.)
You might be able to see this better after the
stitching is done. My drawn line is under the 1/2” mark, and my stitching lines
are just inside the 1/4” and 3/4” marks.
Now cut between your stitching lines to separate the two HST units.
Pressing:
After setting my seam, I open my fabrics part way, and
then I very gently roll my fingertips over the seam to start pressing it open.
After finger pressing one section, I’ll lift my fingers and move them down to
gently finger press the rest of the seam. Only then do I press the seam with my
iron.
Do not use
steam when pressing this seam, and
make sure that you are pressing the
seam (using an up & down motion with the iron), not ironing it (rubbing
back & forth)!
Squaring
Up:
I know you want to get on with the rest of your
sewing, but don’t skip this important step!
Square up (trim) your HST unit so that
it measures your unit’s finished size + 1/2”. In this case, my finished size is
3”, so I’ll trim these at 3-1/2”
Use a ruler with a 45° marking on it. Place the
45° marking on top of the seam line. Make sure that your unit extends just past the desired measurement, and then trim the right and top sides of the
unit.
Now turn the unit around 180°. Place the 45° line on the
ruler back on top of your seam line. Make sure that the trimmed left and bottom
edges come all the way to the outside edges of your ruler markings, and then
trim the right and top edges.
You might not trim away much
when you square up your HST unit,
but that little bit can make a big difference!
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