tip: bonus hsts when stitching-and-flipping

i realized a long time ago that i could make hsts out of the trimmed triangle bits you get when using the stitch-and-flip method to add points to corners of blocks like flying geese, houses, or snowballs. i have been saving those triangle trimmings from projects like "shelter in place" and "olmstead's geese," using them for leaders-and-enders. 

recently, at some point as i was trimming tips off and then sewing them together, i realized i should just do both seams before trimming the tips. when making hsts two at a time, i make both seams and then cut. this is the same idea. if you don't know what i'm talking about, read on.

this method works when you're adding small squares on to larger pieces. mark the small square from corner-to-corner as you already do for the shape you're making. this is the line you'll be sewing on.

then move the ruler 1/4" further out toward the tip you're trimming off and make another diagonal line. this is where you'll be cutting the tip.

sew along the corner-to-corner line.

then use the inner diagonal line, the one closer to the tip, as your marker. sew a 1/4" to the right of this line.

*two notes about the above photo: 1) i don't know why my seam looks wonky at the end because it's not. it's a straight line. some sort of optical illusion with the print of the fabric and some bending, maybe? 2) there is another line to the left of the first seam in this photo. ignore it. that was just another mistake in the series of mistakes i made while working on this quilt. i marked a whole set incorrectly but i couldn't erase the pencil line and it's on the back of the fabric anyway. ignore it.

once you've sewn both seams, trim the outer triangle off by cutting down the second pencil line. now that seam is wobbly. no optical illusions here. yikes.

mistakes to avoid: 

do make sure there's not other fabric under the piece you're trimming or you'll cut something you didn't intend to.

 also, i may have cut on the wrong side of the outer seam a time or two. pay more attention to where you're cutting than i do.

press open and (eventually) trim all your cute little bonus hsts you just made.

i'm going to incorporate mine into the back of the quilt or maybe save them for another project. i'm undecided.

isn't this better than tossing all the trimmed tips? i think so. if you don't want yours, send them to me.