Half Square Triangle Fun
There are so many different ways to make a half square triangle. Tonight on my sampler group sew, we explored a couple of different ways and I thought it would be nice to post the cheater chart with the sizes to cut the square for 8 at a time. I have done the math for you up to 8" finished but if you need larger, the formula is there for your reference. I always add a 'fudge factor' to my cut size. For example, we were sewing 2 1/2" half square triangles to finish at 2". The chart tells me to cut a 5 3/4" square but I added 1/4" and cut two 6" squares. This gave me a little wiggle room to trim to perfection in case my seams were not perfect.
|
Finished Block Size |
Minimum Size of Squares To Cut:* |
Trim Pieced Block To: |
|
A |
A x 2 + 1 ¾” |
A + ½” |
|
1” |
3 ¾” |
1 ½” |
|
1 ½” |
4 ¾” |
2” |
|
2” |
5 ¾” |
2 ½” |
|
2 ½” |
6 ¾” |
3” |
|
3” |
7 ¾” |
3 ½” |
|
3 ½” |
8 ¾” |
4” |
|
4” |
9 ¾” |
4 ½” |
|
4 ½” |
10 ¾” |
5” |
|
5” |
11 ¾” |
5 ½” |
|
5 ½” |
12 ¾” |
6” |
|
6” |
13 ¾” |
6 ½” |
|
6 ½” |
14 ¾” |
7” |
|
7” |
15 ¾” |
7 ½” |
|
7 ½” |
16 ¾” |
8” |
|
8” |
17 ¾” |
8 ½” |
Once you have cut the two contrasting squares, layer them right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonals, corner to corner. Your block should have an 'X' on it. Sew 1/4" to either side of the lines. (Sew lines are the Blue dotted lines on diagram)
Cut lines are the Solid Black lines on the diagram. When the sewing is completed, line up a ruler to cut vertically straight through the middle of the block. Without moving the sections, now place the ruler horizontally through the center and cut. Again without moving the sections, place your ruler on the diagonal line corner to corner and cut between your seam lines. You now have 8 half square triangles. Tip: If you have a spinning cutting mat, it will make the cutting easier.
Press open to the darker side. Now square your triangles to perfection using the TRIM block dimension in the chart. When sewn into the quilt, your block will be the Finished block dimension in the chart. My favorite ruler for trimming is the BlocLoc ruler but any square ruler will work. Just be sure you are lined up on the diagonal seam.
Happy Sewing!
Sue
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