Half Square Triangles
Tips, Tools and Techniques
 Hundreds
of quilt blocks include Half Square Triangles (HSTs.) This
block is made of two triangles, each representing half a square, hence the
name. The challenge is to quickly and accurately make these triangles in
the quantities needed for a quilt.
 The
traditional method for making HSTs is to cut two differently colored
squares in half on the diagonal, swap them, then sew them back together on
the diagonal. The Marti Michell templates are made for this
purpose. They are placed on a strip of fabric with the blunt end
against the cut side. (see picture below) When the triangles that
are cut out with this template are sewn, the "dog ear" will
already be cut off. Rotating the template avoids waste.
Marti
Michell Templates
These template pieces are 1/8" thick clear acrylic and includes
the 1/4" seam allowance. There are three  pieces: square,
half-square and quarter-square triangle. Makes 2 1/2in units for
5in, 7 1/2in and 10in blocks, even larger. With 3 pieces, we walk
and sew quilters through dozens of blocks, from 5in to 20in.
Order the Marti
Michell Template Set Q for $12.00
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| Easy Angle Ruler
 This
ruler is designed to be used for half square triangles. Lay it
over a strip of fabric (matching the line on the ruler) to cut your
first triangle (click on the picture thumbnail to the left). Then flip
it to cut the second one (click on the picture thumbnail to the
right).
 The
numbers along the side of the ruler give the size of the HST you will
make using each of the strip sizes shown. Fast - Accurate
Triangles can now be cut from the same strips used for squares.
You can even use the lines on this ruler to cut the squares.
Designed with 1/4in seam allowance.
Order the
Easy Angle Ruler (up to 4 1/2") for $6.95
Order the
Easy Angle Ruler (up to 6 1/2") for $9.95
Order the
Easy Angle Ruler (up to 10 1/2") for $12.95 |
| The Omnigrid 96 and 98
 The
Omnigrid 96 (left) works much like the Easy Angle Ruler. To
use just layer a light and dark strip right sides together and use
the ruler to cut out triangles. The 1/4" seam allowance is
already calculated for you. To make
2 1/2" HSTs, you would use the 2" line. Because of
the blunt end on the ruler, your triangles will already have the
"dog ear" cut off. This makes them easier to feed through
the machine as the tiny triangle point doesn't get caught in the
feed dogs. Made from a durable, premium quality acrylic
plastic and laser cut for a smooth edge that  allows
for easier, deeper cutting of fabric layers. The patented double
line effect is printed in black and yellow which allows the user to
see the grid on both dark and light fabrics. Designed for left and
right handed users. The Omnigrid 98 (right) works the same way, but
it cuts quarter square triangles.
Order the Omnigrid
96 Ruler (HSTs up to 6") for $13.69
Order the Omnigrid
96L Ruler (HSTs up to 8") for $12.59
Order the Omnigrid
98 Ruler (HSTs up to 6") for $10.49
Order the Omnigrid
98L Ruler (HSTs up to 8") for $12.59 |
 Another
method of making half square triangles is to place two squares right side
together, draw a line on the diagonal of the lighter square, then sew
1/4" from this line on both sides. Cut on the diagonal line and you will have two half square triangles.
The squares you start out with should be 7/8" larger than the finished
size of the final HST. The Quick Quarter ruler (below) is made to help with
this. It is exactly 1/2" wide so you can draw the sewing line,
and has slots in the center so you can draw the cutting line. Order
the 8" long Quick
Quarter Ruler for 2.85 or the 12" long Quick
Quarter Ruler for 3.90
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|
 Thangles are a method of paper piecing HSTs
using this same general principal. With Thangles you cut strips
rather than squares. (Click on the demo card to the left.) You pin the paper to the two
strips, sew on the
dotted line and cut on the solid line. Fifteen sizes are
available. For more details or to
purchase Thangles, click
here.
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 Triangle
Papers
This method is very similar to Thangles, but the papers come in squares
rather than strips. We carry the sizes shown below; other sizes can be
special ordered. Just call us!
Order 1 Inch Little Triangle Papers
for $4.95. 25 Sheets make 450 HSTs
Order 1 1/2" Little Triangle Papers
for $4.95. 25 Sheets make 200 HSTs
Order 2 Inch Little Triangle Papers
for $4.95. 25 Sheets make 200 HSTs
Order 2 1/2" Triangle Papers
for $5.95. 25 Sheets make 600 HSTs
Order 3 Inch Triangle Papers
for $5.95. 25 Sheets make 400 HSTs
Order 3 1/2" Triangle Papers
for $5.95. 25 Sheets make 300 HSTs
To see a video on how to use these, click
here.
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The Grid Method/Ta-da Triangles
 The
grid method uses two larger pieces of fabric. First, you draw
squares on the wrong side of light fabric (7/8" larger than the finished
size of the final HST), then you draw a line on the diagonal of these
squares. These will become your cutting lines. Sew 1/4" on both
sides of the diagonal lines. If you plan you sewing ahead of time,
you can sew all the squares in one session. Ta-da Triangles uses this
method. This is a lightweight preprinted fusible interfacing that
you iron on to the back of a fat quarter. Click on the thumbnail to
the right to see the grip up close. With Ta-Da Triangles, you just sew on
the dotted line and cut on the solid line. We carry the sizes shown
below; other sizes can be special ordered. Just call us!
To see a video on how to use these, click
here.
Order 1 Inch Triangles Ta-Da Fusible Interfacing for $5.99
Order 1 1/2" Triangles Ta-Da Fusible Interfacing for $5.99
Order 2 Inch Triangles Ta-Da Fusible Interfacing for $5.99
Order 2 1/2" Triangles Ta-Da Fusible Interfacing for $5.99
Order 3 inch Triangles Ta-Da Fusible Interfacing for $5.99
Order 3 1/2" Triangles
Ta-Da Fusible Interfacing for $5.99
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Triangles on a Roll
Triangles on a roll is based on the Grid Method. It is a paper pattern
which is preprinted with with the grid. This paper is pinned to the
two layers of fabric. Sew on the dotted line following the
directional arrows and cut on the dotted lines. Triangles on a roll
comes in four sizes:
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 The pattern
left, Four
Seasons, is designed to show you several different ways of
making half square triangles. Choose your favorite method, or try
them all! Samples of Ta-da Triangles Fusible Interfacing, Thangles,
Triangles on a roll and Triangle Paper are included with this
pattern. Uses 1 yard of the green, 1 yard of the red and 1 3/4 yard
background. Order the Four
Seasons Pattern for $10.00 (includes samples.)
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The Wondercut Ruler
No drawing lines or pinning papers with this method! Use the
lines on the long side of the ruler to cut strips, then sew the strips
together the long way, making a tube. Use the diagonal lines on the corner
of the ruler to cut triangles from this tube. Open them up and you
have HSTs. For more details and quilt block ideas, visit the Wondercut
Ruler website. Order the Wondercut
Ruler for $17.50.
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 Square in a Square ruler.
This is an amazingly versatile ruler, used for making a variety of
blocks.
Complete and detailed instructions included with the ruler. Order the
Square
in a Square ruler for $19.95
Although both the square in a square ruler and the wondercut ruler
produce half square triangle blocks which have the outer edge on the
bias, the fact the seam is sewn on the straight of grain keeps the
blocks stable. |
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