What’s a half-square triangle?

At last month’s quilters’ meeting, Nancy presented a program about 1/2 square triangles. What exactly is a half square triangle? A Half square triangle is one of the most basic of quilting blocks which are the foundation for many patterns-stars, pinwheels, diamonds, and depending on the colors, the design can be modern, traditional, geometric, flowers, simple, complex. 

There are several ways to make this versatile block.  (A-C)

A. 1.cut 1 square of the background and 1 square of contrast in half diagonally.  2. Take one half square of each, right sides together, stitch 1/4” seam along the diagonal edge. 3. Press to the dark. The dilemma with this method is the bias edge can stretch during your stitching.

B. 1. Take one square of each-contrasting and background. 2. Stitch 1/4” seam along all four outside edges. 3. Place ruler from one corner to another corner diagonally. Cut. Do Not move. Place ruler from the opposite corners diagonally. Cut. You will have four blocks, Press to dark. The dilemma with this is bias, you have two bias edges on each 1/2 square triangle.  

C. 1. Take one square of each-background and contrasting fabric. 2. Draw a a diagonal line from one corner to the far corner. 3.Stitch 1/4” on both sides of the drawn line. 4. Cut on drawn diagonal line.  5. Press to dark. Most quilters use this method. However, care must be taken with measuring your beginning squares to produce your desired finished size. Many tutorials are available on line and on youtube. Now the fun begins. 

How you place your 1/2 square triangle determines your pattern or design. Using Half-square triangles to form this star quilt or simply placing scrap triangles into a pleasing kaleidoscope quilt.

Happy Quilting.