Bethany Reynolds

Click on a block to visit a page.

Using the Stack-n-Whack® 45° Triangle Tool

This tutorial shows how to cut 45 Degree Triangle wedges and half-wedges. The photos show wedges cut from a 5" strip.

Directions shown are for right-handed cutting. If you're left-handed, turn the triangle tool so that the words "Left-Handed Use" are right side up. You will cut at the opposite end of the strip from the photos.

Square up one end of the strip, removing the selvages or torn edges.

Trim the end of the strip at an angle as shown. The line corresponding to the strip width (in this case, 5") should be on the lower edge. If you begin the cut at the corner, you'll get an extra half-wedge set at the end of the strip. This is helpful for designs like the Butterflies that use half-wedges.

Rotate the strip so that the cut end is to your left (if you are right handed). Line up the 5" lines at the bottom and left side of the ruler. (For other sizes, make sure to use the correct lines at both the straight and angled edges. The solid diagonal line on the ruler should run from corner to corner as shown.) Cut to make a double-triangle.

Rotate the ruler so that the edge runs from corner to corner as shown. The dotted placement line on the ruler should line up with one edge. The line for the strip width should meet up at the corner. Cut to make two wedges or block kits. See larger detail photo.

For half-wedges, place the centerline of the ruler on one edge of the wedge and cut from base to tip.

This makes left- and right-facing half-wedges.

At the end of a strip, it's usually possible to get out one more wedge. Cut the angle as if the strip continued. This will give you a corner to use as a guide in cutting the single wedge. You may also be able to get an extra half-wedge.