Every quilter needs an ultimate guide to making this staple, traditional quilt block – the Half Square Triangle (HST). You either love them or hate them, but no matter, so many beautiful quilt patterns use them. No more hiding! With this Ultimate Half Square Triangle chart and guide, I will help you conquer your fear of HSTs, learn how to make them more efficiently and answer your burning questions about how to make your HST journey quicker and easier!
I have created the Ultimate Half Square Triangle Guide! This guide is the ONLY Half Square Triangle (HST) reference guide you will ever need! It is for quilters who don’t enjoy quilty math, who want efficiency and amazing, precise blocks but who also enjoy a little wiggle room to allow for trimming those little small mistakes!
Ready to plan your next half square triangle project? Don't know which method to use or what size to cut your fabric? The Ultimate Half Square Triangle Guide is here to save the day, with various methods and calculations, to guide you in your HST journey! No more quilty math or mistakes!
Most common quilting rulers don’t have the ⅛” lines clearly marked and frankly, it can cause more stress to measure at ⅛” increments. SO, the measurements in this guide have been rounded to the nearest ¼” to make our lives and HST journeys easier.
Want the FREE printable Ultimate Half Square Triangle Guide?
First, we will start with the basics of making HSTs and important considerations in choosing a method!
Half-Square Triangle Basics
First you have some decisions to make. You’ve probably already asked yourself, WHICH method is right for me? How do I know which method to use? Well, I am afraid I have to give you the dreaded answer…it depends. It depends on how many you need, how they are used in the pattern and frankly, what your preference is! So let’s go through a few questions & considerations you need to ask yourself when deciding the best half square triangle method for your project:
Considerations
–How many HSTs do you need?
If you need a ton, then maybe making them with the 8 at-a-time method is probably the most time-saving for you! That’s a no-brainer, right? Sew smarter and faster!
-Is your fabric directional or is the direction of your fabric print important to you/your pattern?
Even if you have 1000 HSTs to make, if you are using a directional fabric then making 8 at-a-time may not be the best method. You’ll need to keep in mind that with your starting square, if you are using the 8 at-a-time method, you’ll be trimming in various directions, which can send your prints in various directions. If you want to have more control, then it may be best to use the 2 or 4 at-a-time method.
-How much fabric do you have to work with? Are you using a fat quarter, yardage or scraps?
Consider how much fabric you have available. If you need larger HSTs and you are working with scraps, then the 8 at-a-time method may not work for you because your starting square size may be larger than the fabric you have available. Same could be said for using fat quarters, if you need to make several HSTs from a smaller amount of fabric, consider the beginning square size and whether your fabric will accommodate your chosen method!
-What is the final size of your HSTs?
If you need larger HSTs then the 8 at-a-time method may not be your best choice, as your starting square size may be too large to comfortably sew and cut.
-Do you need variety with your HSTs or will you need several repeating prints?
If you are working on that batch of 1000 HSTs and don’t mind repeating fabrics, then the 8-at-a-time method may be perfect for you. BUT, if you need more variety in your HSTs, then the 2 or 4 at-a-time method may better suit your project.
Most importantly, let me remind you of this…THERE IS NO WRONG WAY! The quilt police do not exist! You are the boss of your quilt and your project! There are pros and cons to each method and there is NO wrong answer!
Want the FREE printable Ultimate Half Square Triangle Guide?
Ultimate Half Square Triangle Tools:
Of course I have a quilting shopping list to make your Half Square Triangle making journey a bit easier!
- Mini Oliso Project Iron
- Wool Pressing Mat
- Clover Fine Patchwork Pins
- Magic Pins - Fine
- Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers
- Bloc Loc HST Ruler Set
- Creative Grids 4-in-1 HST Ruler
- Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5"
- Creative Grids 6.5” square
- Fons & Porter Quarter Inch Seam Marker Ruler Set
- Sue Daley Designs - 16" Rotating Cutting Mat
- Aurifil Thread - 50wt White
- Olfa Rotary Cutter - Pink
- Schmetz Needles
- Cluck Cluck Diagonal Seam Tape
- Frixon Pens