Making half-square triangles with the Paper Piecing Method

The thought of paper piecing causes some quilters to break out into a cold sweat.  Trust me, though.  Paper piecing half square triangles is not at all like making complex stars or picture blocks.  It is simple and straightforward.

This method is a great option when you need a lot of half-square triangles.

If you want to try other methods for making half-square triangles, you can see them all here.

See it all

Below you will find:

• video tutorial
• written tutorial with pictures
• evaluation of the method
• blocks that use half-square triangles
• quilts that use half-square triangles

Tutorial

Follow these steps to get perfect triangle units

Choose your paper

To begin, you need to cut two pieces of fabric – the two triangle colours.  The sizes will differ depending on what triangle papers you are using.

There are many different options available to paper piece triangles. If you google “half square triangle paper”, you will find a bunch of different options. Some are files that you can print yourself and others are physical printed papers that you can order.

If you have the time, you can even draw your own grid on paper (or directly onto the fabric, like the in the grid method).

All of these designs are based on squares or grids with diagonal stitch lines marked right on the paper.

I have tried many different variations, and they all work great. My personal favourite is Thangles brand. The reason I like it is that if you need a 4″ finished piece, you will use a 4-1/2″ strip.

This means that if I am making a block with squares and half square triangles, I can get all the pieces from one strip of fabric. I don’t have to cut a bunch of different sizes.

Stitch

Place the fabric right sides together and put the paper on top.  Pin together securely.  For this size, one full Thangles paper will make four HST units.

Sew along the dotted lines.  This has to be accurate, but the line is right there for you.  You don’t need a special foot or seam allowance marking.

Cut

Cut along the solid lines using a rotary cutter and ruler.

Open and press

Open the triangles and finger press the seam allowance to the dark side.

After finger pressing, press with an iron, being careful only to move the iron up and down, not back and forth.

Remove the paper

Remove the paper. If you use a short stitch length, it should perforate easily. This is a good activity to do while watching tv.

Evaluation of the Paper Piecing HST Method

When to use this method

• if you need a lot of HSTs
• When you are making one block that uses HSTs and squares
• When you are using jelly rolls

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is my favourite method of making HSTs.  Removing the paper can be annoying, but not nearly as much as squaring up.

Quilt Blocks with half-square triangles

Use HST units in these quilt blocks. Click on the links to see tutorials.

Algonquin Charm

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Pinwheel

Friendship Star

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Shoo fly

Quilts with half-square triangles

Yellow Twinkle Sampler

This pale quilt is the large version of the Twinkle Sampler Quilt Pattern.

Nine Patch Sampler Quilt

This is a fall colour version of the Nine Patch Sampler Quilt. Each block is a variation of a nine patch block. You can get instructions to make your own nine patch sampler quilt.

Making Memories

This bright quilt is the small version of the Making Memories quilt pattern. It’s the perfect size for a baby.