HSTs

Really Easy Half Square Triangle Blocks
                     

Do you have trouble making HSTs? I think my method is really easy. No dog ears no cutting out squares and sewing down the middle on each side of a line.

A mini cutting mat or a turntable cutting mat would be good. You can cut without a mini but it would make it easier to do.

You will need a template of whatever size you are making. If you don't have a template you can cut one from stiff cardboard or template plastic but these will be prone to getting cut. And the corners may not be accurate with cardboard or thin plastic.

But you won't have to buy any thing to make your HSTs. No paper piecing or Thangles or any other expense.

If you haven't seen my thread then here is my link for free templates. If you need a size other than any of these just let me know.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-36008-1.htm

We make these up ahead and then have them on hand for whatever I decide to make. This works well with scraps too. I just make two piles one dark colors and one light and then I take one of each and sew them together and then cut out the square from the center. You can sew them like flags and it goes pretty quick. Then we go back and cut out the squares. Any leftovers can be recycled.

Ok here we go. Here is my cut down version for making Half Square Triangles.

I used a 2 1/2" template and cut my strips 2 1/2" x 11"
This will give you 5 HSTs. Youcan make your strips longer but this works well for me.

Turn your mat and cut along the next side

Sew your two strips together

Iron the seams open for a flat surface

Place your template on the strips at the bottom. Place two corners on the seam. Make sure your corners are accurately placed for a better HST

Cut along one side

Continue turning the mat and cutting as you cut the other two sides

Attached Images

                    

Now the pieces that are left at the top and bottom can be used to make a 4 patch. There is very little waste with this method. The two ends facing each other Trim the edges Match up the seams The two seams together I like to tack the seams so they can't move when I sew Use a template to cut out the 4 patch Make sure your template corners are on the seams accurately or your 4 patch will be off on the corners Sew them together And voila a 4 patch!      this is how I used to do it. As I work in scrappy mostly I don't really do alot this way anymore but if you are doing a bunch of the same fabrics this is a quick easy way to do them. I actually started out seaming the strips on both sides and laying the template on the seam and only cutting out one half of the triangle. This works ok but I felt I had better accuracy with the strips open. Both would be fine to use. This is actually a bit quicker to do. But you do have to clean up the squares sometimes from dogears on some of them. Seam on both sides Cut one triangle from the seam on one side then place the template on the other seam and cut out. Here are the HSTs from the strips