Make easy half square triangles using the most beginner-friendly tutorial. You will learn exactly how to make easy half square triangles 8 at a time for any quilt or quilt block pattern using the most beginner-friendly method.
Half square triangle units are very popular and versatile components in quilt making.
In modern and traditional quilt piecing the half square triangle also known as HST’s has become a main stay in any quilt patterns. While some patterns only require a few, more and more patterns are featuring many of them. To be successful at making HST’s there are tips and tricks that will make it easier to create them fast and accurately. I have created patterns that only use half square triangles and have perfected what works for me and hopefully for you as well.
Preparing your fabric to make half square triangles.
Why is this important? Because HST’s have a bias seam in them, if your fabric is not prepared correctly, it will leave you with a wavey quilt. To prevent this, I recommend pre-washing and starching your fabric. There are many commercial starches available that come in a spray bottle for easy application. I personally use Stra-Flo Liquid Starch from Purex. You can get this in the laundry isle of most grocery stores, and it is very economical. You can make it the strength you want, I personally use the medium strength. It gives just enough body without making the fabric stiff. You can make up spray bottle and spray directly on the fabric, let the fabric absorb the starch and then press. Another way, and what I like to do is to submerge the fabric in a batch of medium strength starch in a tub. Then smooth out the fabric and hang it to dry. When the fabric is dry, I will give it a light mist of water and press it with a steamy iron being careful not to stretch to fabric. This method of fabric preparation works for me every time.
What size starting square do you need to make 8 at a time half square triangles.
Square up the width of fabric so you are on straight of grain. Decide the finished size of the half square triangle you want to make. See the chart below to find the starting size of square needed to create 8 at a time HST’s.
| Finished Size Half Square Triangles | Size of Starting Fabric Square | Exact Unfinished Size before Squaring Up |
| 1/2 inch | (2) 3 inch squares | 1 inch |
| 1 inch | (2) 4 inch squares | 1 1/2 inch |
| 1 1/2 inch | (2) 5 inch squares | 2 inch |
| 2 inch | (2) 6 inch squares | 2 1/2 inch |
| 2 1/2 inch | (2) 7 inch squares | 3 inch |
| 3 inch | (2) 8 inch squares | 3 1/2 inch |
| 3 1/2 inch | (2) 9 inch squares | 4 inch |
| 4 inch | (2) 10 inch squares | 4 1/2 inch |
| 4 1/2 inch | (2) 11 inch square | 5 inch |
| 5 inch | (2) 12 inch squares | 5 1/2 inch |
| 5 1/2 inch | (2) 13 inch squares | 6 inch |
| 6 inch | (2) 14 inch squares | 6 1/2 inch |
| 6 1/2 inch | (2) 15 inch squares | 7 inch |
How to mark and sew your starting fabric squares for 8 at a time Half Square Triangles.
This is a step-by-step tutorial that makes it the easier and faster way to make half-square triangles. Because you can make 8 half-square triangles units at a time it is a huge time saver especially for those quilt patterns that require large numbers of hst’s in the design. We as quilters always appreciate learning new piecing methods for quick piecing.
- Place (2) squares of fabric with right sides together and draw a diagonal line from opposite corner to corner. See figure 1.
2. Thread your sewing machine with a thread that you can see when using a ruler and using a 1/4″ presser foot to create a perfect ¼ inch seam allowance, sew on both sides of the drawn line. See figure 2.
3. Using a cutting mat and rotary cutter, cut in the center of sewn square both directions horizontally and vertically. You now have 4 squares. Align the ruler on the diagonal line and rotary cut all 4 squares. See Figure 3.
4. Line up ruler on the seam line with the finished size measurement on the ruler. Using this method when trimming process, you may find that you only have to trim one edge. Although you may have some that both edges will need to trim for perfect hsts. See figure 5.
5. Trim off the corners at a 45-degree angle. See figure 6.
6. Press the seam allowance open with downward pressure with iron, not side to side. Be careful not to stretch the seam. Once seam is pressed open place a clapper or heavy item on the seam to set the stitches. This helps to create a very flat seam for perfect block construction.
Now you know exactly how to make easy half square triangles 8 at a time.
Using this hst method to create half square triangles makes it faster to create large quantities for all of those dynamic quilt blocks and quilt patterns. You know longer will be intimidated by all those triangles and will confidently take on any half square triangle quilt.
About: In the beginning I started quilting to continue to learn new sewing skills and challenge myself. I was taken with all the beautiful fabrics and the creativity around quilting and felt it was the perfect match for me. I started by taking a quilting class at a local quilt shop where I learned the basics. Then I continued to build my skills on my own. I enjoy making quilts for conventional reasons, but I really love art quilting and expressing my quilting voice. My hope is to inspire others to do the same, so follow along and quilt with me. You can find me at www.tjwrightquilts.com or follow me @tjwrightquilts on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
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