Make Quick Pieced Half-Square Triangle Units

By Janet Wickell, About.com Guide

Half square triangle units, sometimes called triangle squares or referred to as HSTs, are probably the most commonly used patchwork component. The units are squares made up of two triangles. Each triangle occupies half of the square's space, leading to the name half square triangle unit.

You can sew two triangles together to create a half square triangle unit, but it's easier, and usually more accurate, to use quick piecing techniques that eliminate the need to handle individual triangles with stretchy bias edges.

Quilters have developed several ways to make quick pieced half square triangle units, but my favorite is the method described in this tutorial. I call it the 'easy sandwich method,' because two squares of fabric are sandwiched and then sewn together along the diagonal. When cut apart, the sandwich produces two identical HSTs.

The sandwich method is a perfect technique to use when you're making a scrap quilt or need a few HST units in specific color combos -- it helps you make great use of fabric scraps or small yardages.

I use this technique nearly all of the time. One reason -- I like to create oversize units and then cut them back to their exact unfinished size. That's not typically possible when using pre-printed fabric or papers for assembly, another popular method. Trimming back is explained on page 5.

You might also want to try creating half square triangle units on a long grid.

Previous

• Introduction to Half Square Triangle Units
• Cut and Mark Squares for Half Square Triangle Units
• Sew Squares and Cut Apart the Half Square Triangle Units
• Press the Half Square Triangle Units
• Assemble Oversize HSTs and Trim Back for Accuracy

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