Best Ideas for Bonus Half-Square Triangles

I love using “bonus” half-square triangles (HST’s) in projects. If you don’t know what a “bonus” HST is, let me explain.

When making stitch and flip projects (click here for a playlist that includes several block variations using this technique), you can create bonus HST’s when you clip off the excess fabric at the corners. I take these bonus HST’s and keep then in a bin so they are ready when I want to use them in a completely new project.

I found some interesting ideas for projects in the books I have in my quilting library. Simply Charmed, a table runner design by Sherri McConnell, in Lucky Charm Quilts by Moda All-Stars would be a perfect project for my bonus HST’s. 

Photo courtesy of Martingale Publishing

Another idea is Boden, a wall hanging in Teach Me to Sew Triangles by Pat Sloan uses all HST’s and can be stitched up as a single block or combined together in multiples to make a larger project.

Photo courtesy of Martingale Publishing

 The nice thing about using HST’s is that you can use them in a project even if the pattern instructions call for a different size of HST’s. The arrangement of the HST’s will be the same, the project just might finish at a smaller or larger size. Note: This assumes that the pattern calls for HST’s of all the same size, not a combination of various different sizes of HST’s.

It’s easy to create your own HST designs. Click on the image below to see some of the various blocks that you can create with HST’s.

 What do you do with your bonus HST’s? Leave me a comment below to let me know.

Creatively,

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How to Get Accurate Half-Square Triangles

Do you have problems getting accurate half-square triangles? I’ve found a tool that really helps me to get precise half-square triangles. Let me tell you about it.

There are various methods to make a half-square triangle and I’ve tried just about every one – and still wasn’t pleased with the results. I love the look of half-square triangle designs, but didn’t like my results when I used them in my projects. I’ve finally found the perfect tool to give me accurate half-square triangles every time: the Tucker Trimmer.

The Tucker Trimmer by Studio 180 Design is an acrylic tool that comes in several sizes but the one I use the most is the Tucker Trimmer 1. You can make half-square triangles from 1” to 6” with this particular size of the Tucker Trimmer. Since I usually make small half-square triangles, this size works well for me.

The Tucker Trimmers can be used by right and left handed quilters and instructions are given for both. You can make half-square triangles in whole number sizes (1”, 2”, etc.) or in fractions (1½”, 2½”, etc.). I like it when a tool can be used for a variety of sizes as this makes it very practical and eliminates the need for purchasing a tool for every size.

The idea behind the Tucker Trimmers is that you make a half-square triangle a little bit bigger than you want the actual size to be and then you trim it down to the desired size. For example, if I want a 2½” half-square triangle, I might be starting out with one that is 2¾”. Yes, you will be cutting a little bit off each side, but this is how you get that super precise half-square triangle that will make such a difference in your project.

To see exactly how to use the Tucker Trimmer 1, click on the image below.

Have you ever used one of the Tucker Trimmers to make your half-square triangles? Let me know your perfect method for creating half-square triangles in the Comments below.

Creatively,

Do you want to enhance your quilting and become the best quilter you can be? If you answered “yes” to this question, you need to join The Quilter’s Way. The Quilter’s Way is the only quilting membership site that includes both training and an active, supportive online community. Don’t wait another day! Join now.

P.S. Did you know that you can sign up to receive emails full of FREE quilting goodness? Click here to receive FREE content directly in your email inbox every few weeks from Chatterbox Quilts. I know you'll be glad you did! 

Half Square Triangles: Combination Unit

This week I'm featuring another quick block that can be created from half-square triangles or half square triangles or HST - it seems there are lots of ways to name these cute little units. 

These Combination Blocks contain three fabrics so I would suggest that you have a contrast between them for the proper effect. Nobody likes ineffective and unexciting Combination Blocks!

What do you need to create a Combination Block? I'm glad you asked :) You'll need:

• 1 square of fabric
• 1 half-square triangle the same size as your fabric square

I used a charm square and a 5" half-square triangle, but any size will work as long as the two squares are the same size to start.

That's it!

Now I suppose you'll want to know what to do with them, won't you? Okay, this is what you do next:

• Mark a diagonal line on the back of the fabric square for your stitching guide
• Put the two squares right sides together (RST - another quilting acronym!), and stitch 1/4" away on either side of the diagonal marked line. Note the fabric orientation in the video!
• Cut the squares apart on the drawn diagonal line and voilà: you have two Combination Blocks.

To see all of the steps in action, watch the video below or on my YouTube channel.

There are lots of different orientations you can use with these Combination Blocks to create interesting designs. I've shown you a few, but if you have more ideas, please leave a comment below.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this video and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you will receive notification when I post the next video. I'd sure appreciate it if you would share this video with your quilting friends.

Creatively,

Half Square Triangles: Hourglass Units

Welcome to Telecast Thursday!

I hope you've been enjoying my mini tutorials on half-square triangles. I've created a playlist on my YouTube channel where you can view two different techniques for making them. I'll be adding this tutorial to that playlist as well so it will be easy to find the instructions to make all these units.

This Telecast Thursday I'm working on an hourglass unit. These little units are created from half-square triangles. You'll get two hourglass units from two half-square triangles. Hourglass units are versatile and I'm sure you'll find lots of uses for them in your quilts. 

Watch the video below or on my YouTube channel to see how quickly you can whip up some hourglass units.

Let me know in the comments below if you've made hourglass units and your method for creating them.

Creatively,

Half Square Triangles: Eight From Two

This sounds like a multiplication exercise, doesn't it? It really isn't, but there is always some math involved in quilting and this Telecast Thursday episode is no exception.

Last week I showed you how to make four half-square triangles from two pieces of fabric. This Telecast Thursday, I'm going to up the game and show you a technique to make eight half-square triangles from two pieces of fabric. That's twice as many HST's! This is the multiplication part of the episode :)

For this technique, you will again use two pieces of contrasting fabric, but instead of four HST's, you will end up with eight of them.

Watch the video below or on my YouTube channel to see how to make this happen.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. I hope you'll give this video and others you like a thumbs up and share it with your quilting friends.

I'm continuing with my series on half-square triangles and easy block units next week, so be sure to check back with me then.

Creatively,