BEST HST CHARM SQUARE TRICK EVER!

Have you ever wanted to making something with HST (half square triangles), but hate actually making triangles?  I have the solution for you! A little trick I discovered after I completely, and almost irreversibly messed up a project I was working on. The problem was, I figured something out in theory, and cut out all my fabric based on that theory; but holy freaking cow, my theory was flawed!!!  What to do, what to do???  In my desperation to figure out a solution to save the fabric, I discovered something really cool...so in the end, it's all for the good; and now everyone wins!

Ready to try this? Okay, quick - go run and find two charm squares...I'll wait.  Have them in hand? You don't have any charm squares?  That's okay...what about two layer cake 10" squares?  How about two squares of equal size?  Ready?  Okay, what else?  Hot iron?  Sewing machine? Ruler? Thin pencil for writing on fabric? All your other quilting necessities? 

Let's go!

1. Take 2 squares, lay them right sides together, make sure they are perfect aligned
2. Fold these in half, press fold firmly
3. Open, refold in the other direction, press firmly on the fold, but DO NOT press out the previous crease
4. Open, place a pin in center to keep the unit from shifting
5. Using the fold lines as a guide, sew on the diagonal (corner to corner) on all four sides of the unit
6. Cut unit down the center, rotate 90 degrees, cut down the center - for 4 equal square units
7. Draw a line 1/4" from the sewing line (either side of the sewn line; it doesn't matter which side)
8. Stitch 1/4" from the drawn line
9. Cut units apart on the drawn line
10. Press units open
11. Pat yourself on the back...you just made 8 triangle units without ever touching a triangle!

Here are some photos to help you visualize the process. Some of the edges are cut off, so if you need a better view, you can see the individual photos better here on my flickr page.

For more detailed information about the sizes, and yield from charm squares, see my post at the Moda Bake Shop on my quilt Sunday Best.

Happy Sewing!!!

Cherri

Comments

[Mary Ann]

Such a clever trick and the little dog ears are gone! I'll be trying it this weekend.

[Natalie]

I like your method! I also use this method for HST and am working on a pinwheel quilt right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E

pinwheel quilt: http://www.threadedmess.com/2010/07/love-pinwheels-part-3.html

[Mary Grace McNamara]

I'm bookmarking this one! Thanks for sharing!

MGM

[Vicki]

I've got to try this! Thanks!

[anne]

I like your method tooo but I have seen another one on Bleu is Bleu blog http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com/
just wondering is there a difference with the bias.........or do both methods work out the same. Cheers for sharing.

[PeachRainbow]

WOW!

[Donna C]

I may be crazy but don;t you end up with two different sized squares this way?

[irina]

brilliant! thank you for this trick, and congratulations for your nice blog (I just discovered). ithink I´çll become your follower to keep an eye onyour great posts!
greetings from Ireland!

[Metanoia]

Didn't you end up with two different sized triangles?

I cut 2 squares 1/2" bigger than I want, then draw a line down the centre corner to corner and stitch 1/4" from it on both sides, then I cut down the drawn line. You end up with two half square triangle blocks from each set of squares.

I just had a look at the link in the other comment and that looks even easier for equal block results! http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com/2010/09/quilt-along-part-six.html

[Heather]

You're brilliant! What a quick and easy way to make HSTs. Thank you for sharing!

[jeri]

Thankyou for sharing this great tutorial. I am definitely going to put this in my favorites!

[Rebecca Johnson]

Thanks for sharing this great tip!! I just found your blog and its so great!! xx thanks for sharing!

[meg]

Sweet Fancy Moses!! That's a good one, Cherri -- I'm terrible at visualizing this kind of thing. What a help!

[Erin]

I use HST paper; I just cut the paper patterns off the roll and then sew along the dotted lines. http://www.blockcentral.com/hst/hst-2inch.pdf

Is it considered cheating to go this route? Because it's SO much easier, I fly through my triangles.