How to Make Half Square Triangles (HSTs) Four At A Time
Half Square Triangles are the building blocks of so many quilt patterns, and if you’re anything like me, you can never have too many. While there are several ways to make them, one of my favorite methods is the four-at-a-time technique. It’s quick, efficient, and perfect when you need a whole load of HSTs for your next quilt.
🎥 Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below! (2 minutes 30 seconds watch time)
Supplies Used in this Video:
- Two fabric squares of the same size
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Quilting ruler
- Thread
- Sewing machine
Step-by-Step Instructions From The Video Tutorial
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Place the two fabric squares right sides together, aligning all raw edges.
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Sew around all four edges with a scant ¼ inch seam allowance. No need to leave an opening.
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Give the sewn square a quick press to set the stitches.
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Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut on both diagonals to make an X from corner to corner.
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Carefully separate the pieces. You now have four HSTs ready for pressing and trimming.
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Open each HST and press the seam toward the darker fabric.
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Decide on your unfinished size. In this example, I am trimming to 2 inches square.
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Place your ruler on top of the HST with the ruler’s diagonal line placed directly on the HST’s diagonal seam.
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Make sure the 2 inch markings on your ruler fall completely within the fabric edges.
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Trim the right and top sides with your rotary cutter.
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Rotate the HST 180 degrees.
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Align the freshly cut edges with the 2 inch lines on your ruler, and be sure the ruler’s diagonal line is still sitting on the seam.
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Trim the right and top sides again to square it up.
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Repeat the trimming steps for the remaining three HSTs.
If you try this method, I’d love to see what you make. Tag me on Instagram @remivailstudio so I can cheer you on!
Happy quilting,
xo, Tamara
I have some resources and links to my patterns below!
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Tutorials like this are so fun to share. I hope you've learned something new or taken a little tid bit that you can add to your own sewing practice.
Hi I'm Tamara, the heart and hands behind the scenes at Remi Vail Studio. When I'm not sewing you'll find me loving on my two fur babies, Tellee and Corduroy, playing outside with my hubby, or elbow deep in the dirt of my dye garden!
Resource Links
Quilt & Bag Patterns
My Favorite Threads
- Aurifil 12 weight Thread - quilting, embroidery, big stitch binding
- Aurifil 12 weight Wool Thread - embroidery
- Aurifil 8 weight Thread - embroidery, big stitch binding
- Aurifil 50 weight Thread - piecing, bobbin
- Aurifil 80 weight Thread - hand sewing
Essential Quilting Tools
Here's a Link to my Amazon Store Front if you're curious about the specific supplies I use! I also have many of most used sewing notions in my shop.
