Squaring up Half Square Triangles

On a blog that I check every now and then she featured the   

   "6 1/2 Triangle Square Up Ruler by Quilt in a Day". 

I bought one the other day so I thought I would give it a try. 

I really like this pattern from Pieced Tree Patterns called
Center Stage. 

There are 36 half square triangles in this table topper.

So it was a good pattern to experiment with.

Center Stage from Pieced Tree Patterns

The pattern instructions say to bisect 3 7/8" squares but I always cut my squares an 1/8th of an inch larger and sew the squares together 1/4 of an inch on each side of the centre and then cut them apart.

Sewn 1/4" on each side of centre

The Squares cut apart

Now the fun part.

The Quilt in a Day Ruler

Place the ruler on the un-ironed, unopened

square and trim one or both sides.

Nicely trimmed Half Square Triangles in half the time.

You still have to trim off the dog ears.

I sewed all this today with my new toy.

A Janome Jem Platinum 760.

I need a light-weight sewing machine to take to class

or to workshops as my Babylock is too heavy

to haul around.

Thanks Wendy for showing me the

 Quilt in a Day Triangle Square Up Ruler. 

I will be using it lot, I'm sure.

Peggy