Half Square Triangles (HST)

Have you ever thought about how many quilt blocks and designs 

have Half Square Triangles (HST) ?

I love the look of triangles in a quilt and don't mind making them, 

this quilt I'm working on has 672 half square triangles.

Words To Live By BOM PRI 427 Primitive Gatherings

There are so many different ways to make them.

If only a few are needed, cutting out individual triangle pieces 

or cutting an oversized square and sewing 1/4" away 

from the center drawn diagonal line is fine, but 672....

My favorite way to make several HST

is to use a thin paper that has a sewing and cutting grid on it.

Click on the links below to see a few of the different ones available.

Triangles on a roll, Half Square Triangle Paper LBQ, Stars Singles , Ta Da Triangles,  plus many more.

I have used them all and find Triangles on a Roll to be my favorite. 

I like that I can choose how many I want to make each time.

 To select the correct paper you need to know the finished size of your HST.

So if the pattern tells you to cut 2-7/8" squares and cut in half,
 when sewn together the measurement will be 2-1/2
and then when sewn into the block will be 2".

This is the hardest part figuring out what size you need, 

in this case we need 2" finished.

Now comes the easy part.

fabrics by Primitive Gatherings

  Select your fabric and cut following the directions on the papers.

I figured how many different fabrics I needed to cut

and how long the they needed to be.

Layer the darker fabric on the the bottom,
then the lighter fabric right sides together.
 Add the HST paper on top of the light side.

This will help when you press later towards the dark.

Pin in a couple of places and sew on the sewing lines 

using a smaller than normal stitch length, 

I use 2.0 or 12 stitch per inch.
All papers are different so follow the instructions regardng which lines are 
sewing lines and which are cutting lines.

Just like any quilting technique sewing and cutting are 

two keys to success.

Now for the trimming, cut the outside lines first.

I also like to line up the 2-7/8" on 2" finished HST for accuracy.

You should be cutting right on the outside line.

Sides next, still keep ruler lined up with the 2-7/8".

Cut the piece into along the middle cutting line, 

now make sure the outside is on the 2-7/8" mark on your ruler.

Continue cutting on every cut line, watching your ruler and cutting diagonals last.

Sometimes I cut the diagonal lines with my scissors if I have a lot to do, good TV work.

Now trim the corners at 90 degrees so you won't have dog ears sticking out.

Oops I missed one, just trim it off before you iron.

Ironing the HST is easier if you leave the paper on it gives the bias edge stability.

Place the paper down and press towards the dark.

 After they are all press it's time to tear the paper off. 

Put your thumb on in the center of the HST holding the smaller part of paper, 

and pull the larger piece away from the center.

If you pick at the ends the stitching may come apart.  That is why we used a smaller stitch length.

Some wet the papers slightly to come off easier, 

I don't and have a problem getting the papers to come off so I don't wet them.

Again good TV time work.

And then.......

I have 672 perfect HST for my quilt.

Please let me know if you have any questions on this technique.  

The Words to Live by BOM will be in quilt shops next month.

Have Joy in your heart and keeping stitching,
Tammy V