Easy HST Method Saves You Time and Increases Productivity
If you’re a quilter looking for ways to streamline your quilting projects, you won’t want to miss this how to create multiple HST blocks shortcut. No more hours spent making individual half square triangles (HSTs) for your quilting projects. Using this HST shortcut will absolutely change the way you quilt. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps of combining fat quarters to create multiple HSTs at once.
How to Create Multiple HST Blocks Shortcut
Learning how to create multiple HST blocks at one time will change how you quilt. By combining fat quarters with the HST Grid Method you will save time, effort, and eliminate frustration. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, this shortcut is sure to transform AND IMPROVE your quilting!
Half Square Triangle Quilting
Plus, get ready to master perfect points and troubleshoot common problems with ease for efficient and frustration-free piecing of your triangles. So, let’s start with the basics and discover how to create multiple HST blocks with this HST shortcut to simplify your quilting.
Why Half Square Triangle Blocks Are a Quilting Essential
Transform Your Quilting with Easier Half Square Triangles
Whether you’re an expert quilter or just starting out, mastering the art of HSTs is crucial for many quilting projects. They are one of the most versatile and useful blocks in patchwork quilting. Including them in your quilt design can take your project from average to stunning. Combining this skill with the Grid Method HST shortcut, you can become even more adaptable and skilled in your quilting.
Half square triangle blocks are a staple in quilting projects. They provide a versatile design element that can be used in a variety of ways, from creating intricate patterns to adding a pop of color. HSTs are timeless. They are used in a multitude of design layouts for both traditional and modern quilting, making them an indispensable quilt block for any project.
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HSTs are made by cutting a square in half diagonally to create two triangles, which are then sewn together. Traditionally, this process has been done one block at a time, which can be tedious and time-consuming. However, with this Grid Method HST shortcut, you can create multiple blocks at once, saving you time and effort. Even better is using your fat quarter stash to make lots of HSTs for your next quilt!
The beauty of HSTs is that they can be arranged in many ways to create unique quilt designs. These simple triangles can help add dimension and texture to your project, creating a multi-dimensional design that catches the eye. By changing the colors and placement of the blocks, you can assemble a completely different look. HSTs are also great for creating borders and sashing to tie a quilt together. Once you learn this quick and easy HST shortcut, you’ll be making them for all your quilts!
So, if you’re looking to elevate your quilting skills and create beautiful, professional-looking quilts, including perfect HSTs is a must! This tutorial will teach you how to create multiple HST blocks to perfection!!
How To Make A Half Square Triangle
The Traditional Method for Creating Half Square Triangle Blocks
Although this HST shortcut is a game-changer, it’s important to note that the traditional method for creating HSTs is still a valuable skill for quilters to have. Understanding how to create multiple HST blocks one block at a time is especially useful for smaller projects or when you need a specific number of blocks. This allows you creative flexibility with your quilt design.
In early quilting, a half square triangle was made with two individually cut 90-degree triangles. Their bias edges were lined up and sewn together to create the HST block. This method requires the most cutting, sewing, and measuring of any other method, and can result in fabric waste due to the angled cuts. The biggest challenge with this method is the bias seam. Joining two bias cut triangles can result in stretching, which will affect how square the measurement of the resulting HST will be.
However, knowing how to make a single HST is still a useful technique and widely used in quilting today.
When you’re looking for a quicker and more efficient way to make lots of HST blocks at once, there are multiple shortcuts that provide excellent alternatives.
HST Quilting Simplified: Half Square Triangle Shortcuts
Making Two HSTs at Once
Next is a technique that results in two HSTs at once. This method involves cutting two squares of different fabrics, placing them right sides together (RST), and drawing a diagonal line from corner to corner. Then a 1/4-inch seam is sewn on either side of the line. Cutting this sewn square along the diagonal line between the seams results in two matching HST blocks.
Read more at How To Update Chevron HSTs with a Twist
The challenge of making your HSTs this way is the potential of varying sizes of your finished cut squares. It’s not uncommon to cut multiple blocks and have them be slightly different sizes. This affects the resulting HSTs causing them to be slightly different.
See how to make this beautiful quilt by making two HSTs at once large squares. Plus, check out some different HSTs quilt layouts in this post: How to Make A Half Square Triangle Charm Square Quilt.
Making Four HSTs at Once
Changing how the two fabric squares from the previous method is sewn results in twice the finished blocks. This technique involves the four outer edges of two squares being sewn with a ¼-inch seam, completely enclosing the square. Then using a ruler and your rotary cutter, simply cut the square from corner to corner to create four individual triangles.
While this is a quick method for making a smaller quantity of HSTs, the resulting cut edges are all on the bias. Care needs to be taken with the bias edges as you sew these blocks together into larger designs. Bias edges are very susceptible to stretching and can distort your finished quilt block making your quilting assembly more difficult.
Making 8 HSTs at Once
You may already be familiar with the Magic 8 grid method for making HSTs. This is a simple grid method used to make eight HSTs at once. This is the grid I used for this quilt because it gave me the number of blocks I needed. That is demonstrated in the video tutorial above.
Read more at: Modern Fat Quarter Quilting with Half Square Triangles
Again, starting with two squares placed RST, a diagonal line is drawn. But this time a second line is added between the opposite corners creating a large X within the block. A 1/4-inch seam is sewn on each side of both lines. Before cutting between the sewn lines, a vertical and horizontal cut must be made first, resulting in four smaller squares. Without moving the cut squares, the diagonal lines are cut to produce eight HSTs. This has been an immensely popular technique and is based on the grid method.
Read more at: Modern Fat Quarter Quilting with Half Square Triangles
These techniques can each be repeated to create multiple blocks, but it requires a bit more time and effort than the more modern grid method shortcut. Learning how to create multiple HST blocks and understanding the differences between these useful techniques will allow you to be a versatile and skilled quilter.
Now that we’ve covered the traditional methods for creating HSTs, let’s dive into the fat quarter Grid Method HST shortcut.
The HST Grid Method Shortcut: Combining Fat Quarters
HST Time-Saving Quilting Technique!
Combining fat quarters allows for more blocks to be created in less time compared to the traditional method of cutting and measuring individual squares. Using a precisely drawn grid increases accuracy of the finished HST blocks. Plus, you can sew the bias seams before they are cut which reduces any stretching that may distort the size of your finished block. This is especially useful for larger quilts with lots of triangles.
Charm Square Two HSTs at Once
With precuts so readily available, making individual HSTs from charm squares is a popular and quick process. Simply place two 5-inch squares together, draw a diagonal line, and sew a 1/4-inch seam along each side of the line. Once you cut along the line separating the blocks, you’ll have two identical HSTs. But that’s a lot of work when you need many blocks for one quilt! That’s where knowing how to create multiple HST blocks with the HST Grid Method is most helpful.
The grid demonstrated in the tutorial below is equivalent to making HSTs with 5-inch squares that results in a 4” finished block. (Keep in mind, final dimensions depend on seam allowance fluctuations and cutting accuracy.) Instead of cutting all those 5-inch squares first, we’ll start with a fat quarter and mark the grid directly onto the fabric. We can get twelve 5-inch squares from a single fat quarter. You decide whether to precut your fat quarter to 15-inches by 20-inches or to trim away the excess when the cutting is done after sewing. The fat quarters demonstrated are precut prior to marking.
Make Multiple HST Blocks at Once
The HST Grid Method is quick and accurate because multiple steps are taken at once. Using a larger piece of fabric allows you to prepare multiple HSTs at once, enabling you to measure the lines at the same time. This means there is less chance of variations as you cut and sew your blocks together.
Read more at: Quilting Simplified: HST Shortcuts
This is important because it’s not uncommon for blocks that are cut at different times by the same quilter to be a slightly different size. The same can happen with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. When seams are not sewn at the same time, they too can be slightly off. While these variances are small, they do create more work later when trimming and assembling your quilt.
HST Grid Method Tutorial
Easy Half Square Triangles Fast!
This tutorial will demonstrate how to create multiple HST blocks using a 5-inch grid in place of multiple charm squares. This allows for increased accuracy for all your finished HST blocks in much less time. This method may be used for any size HST simply by adjusting the grid size. Generally, adding one inch to the desired HST finished size is the grid size square to begin with. Therefore, simply measure and mark your grid accordingly.
Select & Mark Your Fabrics
To begin, choose two coordinating fat quarters cut to 15-inches x 20-inches and place them RST. The marking is easiest when the lighter fabric is placed on top. Place the layered fabrics with the widest edges going from side to side.
Using a ruler to mark your sewing and cutting grid, begin by drawing a 5-inch grid that is two lines across and three vertical lines from top to bottom. You should have twelve 5-inch blocks drawn. These will be your cutting lines after the sewing is finished.
Now draw the diagonal cutting lines. You WILL NOT be drawing a line from corner to corner of the fabric. Instead, you will be drawing a line where the square corners join each other.
First, start in one corner and draw a line through the corner of three blocks to the opposite side. Then skip a block across the top and draw another line through two blocks to the opposite side. Finally skip a block down along the side and draw a line through the single block as shown in the diagram.
Repeating the same line drawing process as above, draw the lines in the opposite direction. When finished, every 5-inch block should have a single diagonal line through its center. Pin to hold both layers together.
Sew Your HST Grid
Now it’s time to sew. You WILL NOT sew along the straight cutting lines, only the diagonal lines.
Each seam allowance will be ¼-inch away from the diagonal lines. Sew all the seams in one direction first on both sides of the diagonal line. For the most accurate results, keep your seam allowance consistent on every seam.
Repeat sewing diagonally in the same manner in the opposite direction. Every 5-inch block should have a ¼-inch seam along each side of the diagonal cutting lines.
You have just sewn 24 HSTs! How quick and easy was that?!
Cut Your HST Grid
Once the 5” grid is sewn, it’s finally time to cut each HST block apart. So, grab your ruler and rotary cutter. You will cut along every solid line. The order you cut is up to you, but I found it easiest to cut the unsewn vertical and horizontal lines first. If you’re careful moving your ruler, the blocks should all stay in place for cutting. Sometimes those single blocks on the corners move slightly, so those may be easier to cut individually.
With the vertical and horizontal lines cut, place your ruler along one of the longest diagonal lines and cut. Do the same for the other two lines going in the same direction. Rotate your ruler and repeat in the opposite direction. Congratulations, you just made 24 individual half square triangles!
Pressing Half Square Triangles
Understanding how to create multiple HST blocks includes all the necessary steps from start to finish. A major factor is ensuring your HST blocks are pressed well. This will make them easier to align and sew, as well as laying nice and smooth in your finished quilt top.
Decide which side you want to press your seams towards and press all your blocks the same way. Generally, you’ll want to go towards the darkest fabric depending on your color selections.
Be sure to press your seams. Do not iron, or glide across your blocks. You may find it easier to finger press the seam first. You can also use a stiletto or other pointed tool to help you press the seams open or to the side.
Hold your block and press the iron directly on it without any gliding motion. The seam is on a bias which means it will stretch. If you glide the iron from corner to corner, you may distort the block and it won’t fit well into your quilt. The only iron movement you should be making is straight in alignment with the sides of the block.
As a result of intersecting seams, some of the HSTs will have a couple of stitches in the tip of the HST corner points. Gently remove them without pulling hard so as not to stretch your blocks.
Trimming Half Square Triangles
Note: Despite the accuracy of all the previous steps taken, there may be some variations in size. Despite a few variations, I still find this method produces more consistent sized HSTs than making them individually.
When working with HSTs, it’s essential to ensure that all the triangles are of the same size. If you notice that some of your HSTs are larger or smaller than others, you may need to trim them to achieve a consistent size.
Trimming ensures that every HST is the same size and shape, so there are no issues when piecing them together. A square ruler (aff link) is a must-have tool for trimming. It makes lining up the diagonal seam of the HST easier to keep the blocks square when trimming the excess fabric.
Grab a few of your blocks and measure them, looking for the smallest size. This will be the size you trim all your HST blocks to.
Read more at: Modern Fat Quarter Quilting with Half Square Triangles
Using a square ruler (aff link), place the 45-degree diagonal line directly over the HST seam. Align the lower corner along the desired block dimensions. Then trim the top and sides for a perfect square. Sometimes it may be necessary to trim both corners of the seam. It’s very important that the seam is exactly in the middle of the corner. Otherwise, the points won’t line up properly when assembling your quilt top.
Once trimmed you are ready to assemble your blocks and design a beautiful quilt top!
Troubleshooting Common Half Square Triangle Problems
How to Make Perfect HSTs Every Time
One of the most challenging aspects of quilting with half square triangles is achieving sharp, perfectly pointed triangles. However, with the right techniques, quilters can master this skill and take their quilting to the next level.
Inaccurate marking, sewing, and cutting can make achieving perfect HST points tricky. If your triangles are not correctly made to the exact size, your points will likely be off. By making adjustments to eliminate these common issues, you’ll be able to achieve those desired perfect points.
To troubleshoot these issues, start by double-checking your accuracy. Take the time to accurately mark your seam lines and sew with a consistent seam allowance. Use a rotary cutter and ruler to ensure your triangles are cut to the correct size. The more you practice making HSTs, the better your results will be.
Also watch for uneven or wavy seams. It’s essential to check that your 1/4-inch seam allowance is consistent throughout the piecing process. You can use a ¼-inch quilting ruler to verify the seam allowance measurements. This way you can see where you may be having difficulties.
More Ideas & Tips to Consider
By now, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of Half Square Triangle quilting. But there’s always more to learn! Here are some additional ideas and tips to take your HST game to the next level:
1. Use a design wall. A design wall is a great tool to help you visualize your quilt layout before you start piecing it together. You can easily move around the HST blocks until you find the perfect arrangement. Plus, it’s a great way to keep your HSTs organized while your sewing.
2. Experiment with color placement. The position of colors in your HSTs can dramatically change the overall look of your quilt. Play around with different color combos and see what works best for your design. Another trick is to take photos of different layouts you’re considering. An image will allow any block that doesn’t quite look right to stand out and be very visible. More so than what you eyes may see. Keep the final image you decide on as a reference while you’re sewing. It’s very easy to these lovely blocks turned around!
3. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. HSTs can be combined with other patchwork block styles to create interesting and unique quilt patterns. Try mixing HSTs with squares, rectangles, or other triangle shapes to create a truly one-of-a-kind design.
4. Utilize different sizes. Half Square Triangles come in a variety of sizes, from tiny 1-inch squares to larger 10-inch ones. By incorporating different sized HSTs into your quilt, you can add depth and dimension to your design.
Mastering Perfect Half Square Triangle Points
Now It’s Your Turn!
To take your HSTs to the next level, it’s essential to master the art of achieving perfect points. The key to achieving this is to ensure that the seam lines hit the exact corners of your HSTs.
By mastering this skill, you’ll be able to elevate the beauty and professional finish of your quilt projects. But what if the perfect points are still out of reach or the seams aren’t hitting the exact corner?
Sewing perfect HST points on your quilt is a two-step process. Don’t miss my How to Make Perfect HST Points tutorial for step-by-step instructions with lots of diagrams. You’ll see exactly how to put all your beautiful new HSTs together into a gorgeous quilt!
Plus, with these additional tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create stunning, intricate HST quilts that are sure to impress. So, grab your fabric, your rotary cutter, your ruler, and get ready to transform your quilting with this HST shortcut!
HST Grid Method shortcut
This HST Grid Method shortcut is a huge asset for quilters of all skill levels. With a little practice, you can create multiple half square triangles at once, saving precious time and effort. By combining fat quarters and mastering perfect points, you’ll be able to troubleshoot any common problems and create stunning quilts in no time. So why not give it a try on your next quilting project? Happy Quilting!
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