An Old Favorite Gets A Modern Look
Update Chevron HSTs with A Twist
How do you choose your quilt patterns? Do you have a favorite traditional block but wish you could give it a new look? Switching up a quilt design is a creative endeavor. It’s exciting to add a personal touch that makes your quilt unique. Watch how to update chevron HSTS with a twist for a completely different look.
Chevron: A Modern HST Pattern
I am so excited to share this modern take on a classic Chevron Quilt Pattern. Of course we can jazz up any pattern with fabulous fabrics, but what about enhancing the design with a bit of flair? Adding something just a bit different?
The colors in these Kafffe Fassett Parakeet Fabrics (affiliate link) are glorious and by themselves make a beautiful quilt. Now add a narrow bold batik fabric (affiliate link) accent strip that makes a fantastic statement. I love the contrast with the rest of the quilt. Not only does the black and white batik fabric make a great contrast, but using it in a narrow strip makes an amazing difference.
I enjoyed making this modern take on the traditional chevron quilt so much I created a pattern, ‘Carnival’. The splashes of colors and shapes in this quilt look like a fun-filled carnival loaded with excitement. I hope you’ll try my new pattern!
Click to Buy My ‘Carnival’ Pattern!
Chevron Half Square Triangle Quilt
Half square triangles can add incredible design elements to your quilt top. Whether you use a lot or just a few, knowing how to make them not only correctly but accurately will make a big difference in your finished quilt. Once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to move forward and choose any size HST block you desire.
Easy Half Square Triangles
Half Square Triangle Block Tutorial
Cutting fabric for half square triangles requires accuracy. A half square triangle begins with two squares of fabric with all four sides measuring the same. These fabric squares are placed right sides together and sewn from corner to corner resulting in two equal parts. Without an accurately cut square you will have multiple size half square triangles that you’ll be trying to match up in your quilt block. This becomes very frustrating and difficult to manage.
Perfect HST Blocks Require Accuracy
With evenly square blocks, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back side of one fabric square. Placed with right sides together, sew a quarter-inch seam on each side of the line. Then cut along the drawn line and you’ll have two HSTs.
Drawing the diagonal sewing lines for your half square triangle must be accurately drawn from corner to corner. If the line is not on the point and let’s say, it’s an eighth of an inch away, that will affect the finished size of both half square triangles that result in two different sized blocks.
Additionally the seam allowance along the drawn line is also very important. It must be even and consistent from one end to the other. If it’s wider at the top and narrow at the bottom your half square triangle will no longer be square.
Perfect Half Square Triangle Points
The most important factor in making half square triangles with perfect points is seam allowance accuracy in general. If you don’t sew a straight seam, it will greatly affect your block in its finished size and the way it lays out. An uneven, or wavy seam may result in bowed or curly edge which makes sewing blocks together difficult. The best way to sew a straight seam is practice. The more you do it the better you get.
Check out my How to Make Perfect HST Points post for more detailed instructions. There’s also a free printable tutorial download available in the post.
Half Square Triangles are worth the effort to master! They add a wonderful design element to any quilt and are a basic building block for so many quilt designs. Be sure to check out my Modern Fat Quarter HST post for more ideas!
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