Making Half-square Triangles with the Grid Method
There are many different techniques for making half-square triangle units for your quilting projects. If you need to make a lot, the grid method is a great option to consider.
With the grid method, you can make as many half-square triangle units as you need. It is easily adjustable.
You can use this shape to make blocks like pinwheel, shoo fly or friendship star.
See it All
Below you will find:
- video tutorial
- step-by-step written tutorial with pictures
- quilt blocks with half-square triangles
- quilts with half-square triangles
Video
Subscribe to Epida Studio on YouTube
Tutorial
See each step in the process, with images to help guide you.
Prepare the fabric
For this method, you will need two large pieces of fabric, one for each colour of triangle. There is no need to cut the fabric. It just need to be large enough for the grid.
Press each piece well, and use starch if you like to make it easier to handle.
Mark the grid
Using a marking tool and a large quilting ruler, draw a grid onto the back of the lighter fabric.
The squares in the grid should be the size of the finished HST units you want plus 1″.
For example, if you want 3″ finished HSTs, then the grid should be 4″ squares.
After the grid is drawn, draw diagonal lines in one direction. These lines should go through all the intersections of the grid.
Stitch
Stitch 1/4″ away on both sides of all the diagonal lines.
(Don’t stitch on the vertical or horizontal lines.)
Cut
Using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut the piece on all lines – diagonal, horizontal and vertical.
Press
Press the pieces so that the seam allowance goes under the darker fabric.
Some of the pieces will have a couple of stitches in the tip of the triangle. Remove these gently. Don’t pull as they might stretch the piece.
Trim
Trim the half-square triangle unit down to the size you need. This will be the finished size plus 1/2″ for seam allowances.
So, from the example, if I want my HSTs to be 3″ in the finished quilt block, I will trim them down to 3-1/2″.
Use half-square triangles in quilt blocks
These blocks will help you be creative with half-square triangles.
Use half-square triangles in quilts
These beautiful quilts use half-square triangles.
Making Memories
This two-colour quilt is made with only squares and half-square triangles.
Scrappy Twinkle Quilt
This quilt is a scrappy version of the Twinkle Sampler Quilt.
No Flies in my Garden
This quilt has shoo fly blocks outlined by squares.
Nine Patch Sampler
This is the pink version of the Nine Patch Sampler quilt.
You can get free instructions and make your own Nine Patch Sampler.