If you don’t like cutting and stitching loose triangles together on the bias, you’re not alone. Making enough half-square triangles for a quilting project can get totally tiring. But don’t fret — here’s a quick and easy solution to your HST woes.
The Magic 8 Method
Level: Easy
1. Determine Size
First you need to know what size finished half-square triangles are desired.
For example:
- Let’s say you want to make 3” finished half-square triangles.
- Add ⅞” to your 3″ measurement. (Your total is now 3⅞”).
- Multiply your total of 3⅞” by 2. (That equals 7¾”).
- 7¾” squares are the size needed to make your 3” finished half-square triangles.
2. Cut
Cut two squares the desired size, based on the formula above.
3. Mark
Place the two squares on top of each other, right sides together. Draw two diagonal lines corner to corner on the top fabric.
4. Stitch
Stitch a total of four lines: two on both sides of each diagonal line, ¼” away from the line.
5. Cut
Carefully cut the sewn square into the eight HSTs. You’ll make a total of four cuts.
Cut 1: Cut vertically right down the center. Align your ruler with the center where you drawn lines intersect and one straight edge of the fabric squares.
Cut 2: Make a second cut that’s perpendicular to the cut you just made. At this point, it’s best to leave the fabric pieces where they are — don’t try to rotate the fabric! Instead, walk around your table so you are better positioned to make the cut, or turn your cutting mat.
Cuts 3 and 4: Cut on both of the drawn diagonal lines, between your stitching lines. Again, it’s best not to move your fabric; instead, move your body or your board so that you don’t shift the fabric.
6. Open and Press
Separate the cut pieces and open them up to reveal your perfect half-square triangles! Press the seams to the darker side and you’re ready to use them in a project.
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Why do you add 7/8″? Just trying to understand the math. No my strongest subject. ;)
So if I make it 8” square it will be easy to square up to 3 inches.
Thanks
Great idea! If it is as it looks, I’ll be doing the happy dance!!!!
Love the fact you gave us the formula for sizing the half square triangles, thank you.
Amazing clear direction for faster sewing
Thanks very much , I will try to do it
This is a great tip! It will make quilting so much more efficient.
Excellent! Does anyone have a ruler that marks 7/8″?
You won’t need a 7/8 ruler because you double it to end in 3/4
3/4 = 6/8 Most rulers have 8ths markings
Primitive gatherings Carrie’s a great ruler with very clear eighths markings. Learned of it from Kim at the fat quarter shop.
Thank you!
Thank you for this amazing tip. Been wanting to start a quilting project but wasn’t sure how to start. This has spurred me on to get sorted & start
Just finished making a bunch of hst’s for our small quilt group. Might have saved some time if we had done this! TY
very instructive, thank you very much.
Thank you
Thanks for this tip!
Great work! thank you!
A great way to do triangle squares
Adorei tenho imenso desejo de experimentar.
OMG, so easy way of cutting triangles. Hats off dear. You made my day.i will try to cut triangles as you explained.😍😍😍😍
I am new to this quilting and any tips are greatly appreciated.
What a great way to do this! 8 at once! I will have to do this! I like that the math has been figured out. Thank you very much! Carol
Great technique but how did you come up with the “7/8” measurement to add to your 3” size triangles?
I have no website
This method has been around for a while and much better than the one on Missouri Star that leave you will bias edges.
Say I want to make six inch triangles how big would my fabric have to be to make four at a time?
Love your instructions
If you like this, add to your quilting toolbox with easy Flying Geese https://www.craftsy.com/post/how-to-make-flying-geese/
I am a 9th grader, and I made a quit last year and I wish I knew this trick! I will remember it for future projects!
I have always wanted to know how to quilt. It is interesting. But this technique was such a neat trick. It can be used for almost anything you want to do. Wow, I love it. It may inspire me to try to do something later. Thanks This was like a genius thing for me. I’m so new to this stuff so I had to look at it several times, then it was like, that was cool. Simple yet so neat.
Such a simple way to do half squares