Half-Square Triangle Tricks
Welcome to day 3 of the Minnesota Designers Blog Hop! The excitement and activity are only getting better each day! For more information about what this Blog Hop is about, click here.
Let me introduce myself, in case you haven’t stopped by before. I am a quilt pattern designer and have been in business since 2002. I learned to sew when I was about 7. My mom taught me while she made clothes for all four of us girls. I loved playing with the fabric scraps and making Barbie clothes from them 
.
As part of this Blog Hop, I am doing a tutorial on making Half-Square Triangle Blocks (HST for short). When I write my pattern instructions, I use the traditional (Finished size + 7/8″) measurements for cutting squares to make half-square triangle blocks. This measurement is just a starting point. You can use triangle paper, Thangles (TM), Tada Triangles, or whatever technique suits you.
The formula for cutting a square to make a Half-Square Triangle Block is: Finished size + 7/8″. For example, if your HST is supposed to be 2″ finished; cut the square 2-7/8″.
TIP - If you prefer to square-up your HST blocks, add 1″ to the finished size. The units will be a little bigger than they need to be and you trim them down to the right size.
Here we go….
Method 1: Sew Before You Cut
1. Square is 7/8″ larger than the finished size of the Half-Square Triangle Block (HST for short).
2. Draw a line from corner to corner on lighter fabric.
3. Sew a scant 1/4″ from both sides of the line. Scant means just a thread less than a full 1/4″.
4. Cut apart on drawn line to get two HST blocks! Press to the darker fabric and trim to size as needed.
Method 2: No Math Method
1. If you are using 3″ squares to make a block like this one and need to make an HST that will fit, simply use two 3″ squares; a light and a dark.
2. Place fabrics right sides together and draw a line from corner to corner on the lighter fabric.
3. Draw a SECOND line 1/2″ away – this will give you a bonus HST that is 1″ smaller than the large HST.
4. Sew ON THE LINES, actually just a hair inside would be even better.
5. Cut apart between sewn lines and press to the darker fabric.
6. The large HST will fit perfectly with the plain 3″ squares in the four patch block above.
7. The BONUS block can be squared up to 2″ and saved for a scrappy project.
BLOG HOP GIFT: Today only (June 24) if you order anything
from my website, you will receive an additional gift valued at $5.00.
Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to try your suggestions.
So much great information. I need to get to my sewing room!
great tips, I am always afraid of the triangles, you have a cute blog
so many good ways to get triangles…now I would just have to decide
Thanks for the tutorial! It answered some questions had.
It`s great.
Thanks for the info – very useful! This blog hop is sure a lot of fun!
Thank you for the great HST tutorial.
Thanks for the tips. They are great!
Great tut!!! thank you so much for sharing. I learned a few things…. thanks for putting my name in the hat!
Lorene
thanks for the tips for hst!!
Great tips! Many thanks!
What a great little tutorial. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the helpful tutorial. Had never heard of option #2 before!
Having fun on the blog shop hop. Enjoyed the tips on HST, especially the second. You can never have too many HSTs for future projects
Thanks for the no math trick. During a recent retreat i was reminded of just how many blocks can be made to great effect from HST and combined with squares. regards Karen
Hi Celine … I just got word of the Blog Hop this evening so I am hopping to catch up
Enjoyed your tutorial on HST and visiting your website. I enjoyed your quilt galleries and look forward to learning more about the Tahoe Quilt Retreat. The free pattern on your website will make a perfect gift. I will look for your quilt designs in my local quilt shops.
This is great. Thanks!
I have to thank you for making it a bit easier for me. I have tertiary Lyme Disease and lost my ability for Math. What use to be so simple to do is now so very difficult to do. I have been frustrated by it, but your right about making the blocks bigger. That way I can always trim down. Thank you for your tutorial. I would love to be entered for your giveaway. Thanks again.
This has been a great help with the flying geese. They are now a border on my cancer quilt. Thanks so much.
great technique. thank you!
Thanks for the tips. It’s nice to be able to add to my little book of hints!
You always have such great direction. You make your patterns fun to do. Thank you
Thanks for the tutorial! I live in MN and it is really fun leaning about the designers that live locally.
Thanks for the great lesson! I am enjoying getting to know all of you.
I love the 2nd method as I’m always working on one project and using the scraps for another.
Thanks for the fun suggestion!
~Ann B
Thanks for the HST tips. This Blog Hop is such a fun idea!
I’ve just learned how to make the Half square Triangle and used the technique with my sister is just barely sews and she made a lovely table runner. Thank you so much!
HST have always been a challenge for me, so I’m definitely going to try your tricks.
Great start for a scrappy quilt!!
Anything to help me make more accurate 1/2 sq. triangles is appreciated. Thanks so much
Thanks for the tips! Makes it look easy.
This blog hop is so fun! Thanks for the triangle tip. I love not wasting fabric.
Thanks for the great tip!
I know I left a comment on the day you were featured but I just tried your little HST trick and I got 2 nice HST. One a 3 inch and the other one was a 2 and a quarter inch. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for the tutorial. Hopefully this will make sewing
HST’s less painfull. Really enjoying this blog hop—thanks so very much for partipating. Glad I found it in
time.
Thank you!!!
Thanks for the quick tip
Glenda
Thanks for the great tips
Thanks for the tutorial; I love anything with the phrase “no math”! Thanks for the chance at the big giveaway.
Thanks for this post. Personally, I love my EZ Angle or Triangle Paper for making HSTs, but it’s always good to know lots of ways to do anything.
thanks!!
I’m enjoying catching up on the blog hop! Thanks for the excellent instructions for HST’s.
I’m so glad I can finally open your blog. I spent three days unable to get into your site. Now I see all the comments I know why!!! LOL
I’m so glad the blog hop is happening….I’ve learned so much.
Thank you,
Kelly Jackson
Thanks for a great tutorial. I love the ‘no math’ part.
Thanks for the tips on half square triangles. I like going a little big so that I can trim down.
All of you MN designers are some thing else..wow ..so generous and talented also…wish we blog hoppers could be with you in person..but this has been so fun and Informative! thanks so much !!
Thanks for the info on half square triangles. I think we all appreciate any help we can get as we all need it.
Thanks Joan
Can’t remember if I have commented here or not. If so, please forgive me for the repeat. I didn’t have your blog in my list of shops until today. The tutorial will be quite helpful. My triangle blocks always end up wonky. Now there is hope for perfect triangles. Thank you.
Thanks for the tip. We quilters need all the help we can get.