Do you have a quilt that needs a lot of HSTs (Half Square Triangles)? Making two at a time seems tedious, so why not make eight at a time?!
Some people refer to this as the Magic 8 method. I find it super easy to make multiple blocks at a time.
First you will need two squares of fabric.
To figure out the size, take the finished size of the HST that you need, add 1 inch then times by two. For example, I need 1 1/2 inch finished size squares. So I add 1 inch ( = 2 1/2 inches) and times it by two. So I will need two squares of fabric that are 5 inches square.
On the wrong side of one square, draw four lines as shown in the picture. Two diagonal from corner to corner. One vertically at the halfway point. One horizontally at the halfway point.
Place both squares right sides together. Using a scant 1/4 inch seam, stitch on both sides of both diagonal lines.
(A scant 1/4 inch seam is a seam that just short of a full 1/4 inch seam.)
Here is what it will look like after stitching.
Cut on all written lines.
Open up the HSTs and press to the dark side. Trim to the desired unfinished size.
There you go! There are lots of ways to arrange HSTs to make lots of different shapes. Here are just a few.
I hope you find this helpful.
Have fun quilting!
This idea is extremely helpful!
How much more quickly it allows you to create all of the blocks that you will need to make your desired quilt!!🤗
Hi Adela!
For 10 inch finished half square triangles, you need two squares that are 22 inches square. That will give you 8 of the 10 inch squares.
Thanks for asking!
Por favor si quiero que el cuadrado me quedé de 10 pulgadas que medida debo usar para sacar las 8 partes. Gracias
I love the look of hst’s and made many but I sure like this idea. A real time saver. Thank you for this tutorial.
Thank you so much for this easy to follow tutorial! I was thinking I’d have to cut out umpteen triangles then sew them together; can you guess I’m new to this?! But thank you again