HSTs (Half-Square Triangles)

A really basic unit for quilters is the HST. So many quilt blocks can be made using HSTs and so learning some easy, fool-proof methods of constructing them will make perfection easier to accomplish.

HSTs from a previous project.

The method of our grandmothers has been put out to pasture in favor of a newer, more reliable method. Now, don't get me wrong! Thousands of gorgeous, beautifully pieced vintage, antique quilts can be found which illustrate careful and accurate HST construction. And lots of quilters still use this hand-piecing method with perfection. 

Today's quilter, though, almost always prefers speed and accuracy. 

The earlier method was to cut individual triangles using a template, the two sides right angle sides would be placed on the straight of grain. The hypotenuse would then be on the bias - the edge that one must be very careful not to stretch. The hand-quilter would take the two colors needed for the HST and carefully stitch those bias edges together. 

The current, more accepted and faster method eliminates, to a degree, the opportunities for stretched bias edges. Cut squares (there are charts available with dimensions for the desired HST size) and draw a diagonal line on the back of the lighter fabric. When two fabrics are paired right sides together, use this line as a guide for sewing a quarter-inch seam. After sewing along-side both sides of the line, cut ON the line and the result is 2 HSTs. Carefully press them open without stretching the bias.

HSTs from an earlier project.

Now they are ready to be trimmed to the precise size required for your project. 

Trimming. That's the focus for the remainder of this post.

And that brings me to my current project - Cotton Ridge Farm. I am at the point of making all the HSTs for the sawtooth borders. The pattern has two complete HST rows around this quilt. That's a lot of HSTs. Especially after having to make a good many for those blocks in the center of this quilt.

Sometimes I am completely unwilling to make this many for a single quilt. However, I really want to make this; I have the fabric; I have the time; I have the know-how. 

I just need to do it.

 

 

For all the HSTs in the center blocks, I used my ruler and the 45-degree line. I placed the 45-degree line on the seam, and trimmed the two sides. Then I turned the HST the opposite way, and trimmed to the correct size - in my case, 2.5-inches square.

After trimming over half of the border HSTs using this method, it occurred to me that I had a set of Bloc-Loc templates. I should have been using them. So I switched and trimmed the last of the HSTs with the 2.5" Loc-Bloc.

My trimmings pile was extensive!

Now, this is a time-consuming process, for sure. And that is probably the part I grapple with the most. However, I have not one single complaint about the accuracy of these blocks. I am getting almost 100% perfect points with this method after sewing them into the quilt. I will highlight some of those in an upcoming post.

Bottom line: either the ruler method or the Bloc-Loc method will produce fantastic results. Both take time, but both work perfectly. If I am willing to put the time in, I will do HSTs this way every time.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne