Make multiple Half Square Triangles from fat quarters? Absolutely!

Happy Wednesday! On Monday, I demonstrated a quick technique for making Half Square Triangles (HSTs) from pre-cut squares. Yesterday, I demonstrated a simple technique for making multiple Half Square Triangles using pre-cut strips. In today’s post, I’ll illustrate how to make multiple HSTs at once using two wider strips of fabric. I’ll create HSTs using fabric pieces approximately the size of a Fat Quarter (FQ).

Once again, I’ll use Clover Chaco Liners along with my trusty Clover Quilting Pins – 48mm (1⁷⁄₈″) and my Clover Rotary Cutter – 45mm (1³⁄₄″).

Clover Chaco liners and refills

Good quality thread is another important notion to have when sewing and quilting. With time, I’ve learned that if I buy good fabric, I should also buy quality threads.

Though it’s true I have a tiny obsession with thread in multiple weights and colors, I most often use 50-weight thread in either grey or cream for piecing mixed-colored fabrics. I’ve found these basics blend well with most colors.

That said, I also love to match thread colors to my chosen fabrics whenever I can. Sometimes, while in the midst of working on a quilt, I’ll change the threads to match!

When at home, this is easy. I just open my thread drawer and pick out the color I need. When I’m at a workshop or a retreat and not too sure of the color threads I’ll need while I’m there, I bring my Gütermann 26-piece 100% Cotton 100m Thread Set with Storage Box. With 26 colors, I’m sure to find the color I need.

Gütermann 26-piece 100% Cotton 100m Thread Set with Storage Box

Let’s get started with today’s HST technique.

Unlike earlier this week, I won’t begin by cutting 4” strips. Instead, today, I’ll make HSTs using larger pieces of fabric.

With this method, I find it easiest to work with pieces of fabric roughly the size of a Fat Quarter (FQ) fabric. The quantity of HSTs I can create from one FQ depends on the size of the squares needed to make each HST unit. For this week’s project, the squares need to measure 4” x 4”.

Remember, a FQ normally measures approximately 18” x 21”. Working with 4” x 4” squares, I can get a grid of four rows of five squares (20 – 4” x 4” squares) from one FQ measuring 16” x 20”.

Working with yardage gives me some flexibility; I get to choose the dimensions of the piece of fabric I’ll cut for my HST grid. Although my fabric pieces only need to measure 16” x 20”, I like to cut them a bit bigger. I’ll cut a piece measuring 17” x 21” from each of the red and blue fabrics.

 Step 1

After cutting the red and blue fabric pieces, draw lines on the wrong side of one of fabric piece with your Chaco liner at 4” intervals both horizontally (across) and vertically (from top to bottom) as shown.

Draw lines every 4” across and up and down the cut fabric piece.

Step 2

The next step is to draw diagonal lines.

For efficiency, rather than drawing a diagonal line in each individual square, I start in one corner of the larger fabric piece and draw a diagonal line to the opposite side. Then, I pivot the ruler where the first diagonal line ended and draw the next line. I repeat this step until all the 4” x 4” squares in the grid are marked with a diagonal line.

Draw diagonal lines through each 4” x 4” square.

Step 3

With right sides together, pin both layers of fabric using Clover quilting pins.

Pin the two layers of fabric together.

Step 4

Sew a ¼” seam on each side of the diagonal lines. I like using this quick method when drawing the diagonal lines as it allows me to sew one continuous line without having to stop.

Sew a ¼” seam on each side of the diagonal lines.

Cut along all drawn lines to separate the HSTs.

Step 5

Cut along all drawn lines to separate the HSTs. Press open and trim each to measure 3½” x 3½” unfinished square.

Press open and trim each HST to measure 3½” x 3½”.

That’s it! Another easy technique for making HSTs.

This Marvel Avengers Kids in Action quilt project requires 160 HSTs. Using your preferred HST technique, construct the remaining HSTs.

Of the three HST methods I’ve demonstrated over the past few days, none is better than another, and all are easy to do. It’s up to you to choose one you like best.

Now, I need to count how many HSTs I’ve made so far, so I know how many more to create for this quilt!

Tomorrow, I’ll demonstrate the technique I use to make Quarter Square Triangles. Don’t worry, it’ll be as easy as the HST techniques I’ve already presented!

Make sure to get a Gütermann 26-piece 100% Cotton 100m Thread Set with Storage Box. It’s guaranteed to have the required color you need. And since you’re purchasing the cotton collection, consider picking up the Gütermann 26-piece Sew-All 100m – Thread Set in Acrylic Box – Assorted Colors (Sew-All Polyester) as well!

Gütermann 26-piece 100% Cotton and Sew-All Thread Sets with Storage Box.

This is part 3 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 2: 5 easy steps for making multiple Half Square Triangles at once!

Go to part 4: THE tool you need for fast and easy chain piecing

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