Thank you for purchasing my Gemology quilt pattern. Here are instructions on how to trim your 4-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ HRT units. You will need a 12-1/2″ square ruler.
Read ALL of these instructions first.
I recommend making a test block with scrap fabric to practice this method before making your pattern blocks.
First up, trim the long edges of the HRT unit so it’s 4-1/2″ wide.
The following trimming method is easiest if your 12-1/2″ square ruler has 1/4″ marks that have been extended until they intersect. You can see one example of this below. If your ruler doesn’t have this, you can mark it with a sharpie or a liquid correction pen.
The HRT blocks need to be 12-1/2″ long.
Take your ruler and start at one of the corners with a diagonal seam. Line up one edge of the ruler with the long edge of the HRT. Then slowly slide the ruler along the unit (keeping the ruler/block edge lined up) until you find the spot where the diagonal is exactly a quarter inch from the long edge.
We want the diagonal to be quarter inch from both edges of the block so when it is sewn together with another unit the diagonal will form a lovely point.
Don’t trim yet – turn your attention to the diagonal at the other end of the block. It also needs to be a quarter inch from both edges of the ruler.
Check that the diagonal at the other end of the block also falls on the spot a quarter inch from both ruler edges.
If your block isn’t able to be perfectly aligned at both ends, just make them as close to that quarter inch mark as possible – making sure you keep the block 4-1/2″ wide.
Now you can trim both top and bottom to give a 12-1/2″ long block.
This trimming process is the same whether making left or right slanting HRTs. Here’s what it looks like for the HRTs facing the other direction:
Trim edges parallel to 4-1/2″:
Ensure the ruler is level with the long edge of the block. Then slide the ruler to position the diagonals a quarter inch from each edge at both ends.
Then trim.
Troubleshooting:
- if your block isn’t wide enough, your seam might be wider than 1/4″.
- if your block is too long, your seam could be too scant.
- if your block is too short, your seam could be too wide.
- if your tips are wonky, try using a stiletto to hold fabric when sewing close to the needle and using a leader (a small scrap piece fed through before your block to stop your block being distorted/pulled down into the feed dogs of your sewing machine.)
You’ve got this! Use this method to trim all your blocks and complete your Gemology quilt.
Happy sewing!
