The Magic 8 revisited...trimming trick and cutting chart!

Almost 3-1/2 years ago i shared the Magic 8 method on my blog.   That particular post has been pinned thousands of times, shared and re~blogged over and over.

Well...the other day, i was thinking about this method and may have an idea to improve just a bit on the very popular Magic 8 method.  Nothing earth shattering, but just something to consider...Plus i've created a cutting chart and sharing a slick way to trim all those half square triangles!

So let's begin at the beginning. 
 How to make 8 half square triangles using only 2 fabric squares.

To make a Magic 8, first determine what size finished half square triangles are desired.

For example:
   To make 2" finished half square triangles,
   Add to the 2" measurement, 7/8".  Your total is now 2-7/8"
   Multiply 2-7/8" by 2.  That equals 5-3/4".
   (2) 5-3/4" fabric squares are the size needed to create (8) 2"      
   finished half square triangles.

** improvement:  cut the 2 fabric squares 1/4" larger.   For the above example...Cut (2) 6" squares instead of 5-3/4". This will allow you to trim your half square triangles for more accuracy.  For those very accurate quilters, this step may not be necessary.

Here's how to make a Magic 8

Take your desired fabric squares and place them right sides together.

Draw 2 diagonal lines corner to corner

Stitch a 1/4" on either side of both drawn lines

Cut the stitched fabric squares apart, resulting in 8 half square triangles.  There will be 4 cuts.  With each cut, be careful not to shift the fabric squares.  

The first is a vertical cut, right down the middle.

 The second cut will be horizontal...again, right in the middle.

 The third cut is corner to corner 

 and the fourth cut is the opposite corner to corner

Voila!

 

If the fabric squares shift a bit, the extra 1/4" will allow one to trim for accuracy.  

Now for a great trimming trick...
Say you need to trim your half square triangles to 2".  Draw a diagonal line using a dry erase pen on an acrylic ruler.  In this example i've drawn my diagonal line 2" down from the corner of the ruler.  If you want to trim  half square triangles to 1-1/2", the 'dry erase' diagonal line would be 
1-1/2" down from the corner of the ruler.

 Line up the 'dry erase' diagonal line with the seam, and trim.  EZPZ!  This trimming trick is shared from Corey Yoder of Little Miss Shabby

Here's a chart to help determine what size fabric squares to cut for the desired Half Square Triangles.  The unfinished size is also the trimming size which includes seam allowance.

***For a FREE printable download of these instructions, head over to my Craftsy Pattern Store HERE.  Look for the Free Magic 8 Tutorial. Consider following my Crafty Pattern Store too as i will be offering more free tutorials soon!

Now...go make something yummy with all those half square triangles!!