Precision Quilt Piecing Part 2: Half-Square Triangles

By Carole Fure

Heads up! This article is part of a series on precision quilt piecing techniques . Make sure to read the first installment of this series here. While there are multiple techniques for quilt piecing half-square triangles, I find the most efficient method is to obtain half-square triangles units from a square. Other techniques require working with bias and/or cutting and sewing individual pieces, which makes these methods less accurate and less efficient. Follow along as I take you through the precision technique basics of piecing half-square triangles.

Crunching the Numbers

You can obtain eight half-square triangles from a single square by first by adding 1 inch to the finished measurement of the half-square triangle and then multiplying that number by 2. For example, if you wanted to make eight 2-inch finished half-square triangles you would need a 6-inch square (2 + 1 = 3 x 2= 6”).

Piecing It Together

half-square 1 Step 1: Cut two 6-inch squares from contrasting fabrics. On the Wrong Side of one square, draw a line diagonally from corner to corner in both directions.
half-square 2 Step 2: Place the squares Right Sides together. Stitch a scant ¼-inch on each side of both lines.
half-square 3 Step 3: After stitching, cut the square along the drawn diagonal lines and cut the square from side to side, being careful not to move the unit as you do so. You will have eight half-square triangles.
half-square 4 Step 4: Before opening and pressing the half-square triangles, trim the units using a Precision Trimmer 6 ruler. Place the dotted line on the ruler along the stitching line on the half-square triangle and trim.
half-square 5 Step 5: Press the unit to the dark and clip the ears.
half-square 6 Step 6: For just two half-square triangles, add 1 inch to the finished size of the half-square triangle and mark one fabric diagonally once and stitch a scant ¼-inch down both sides of the marking. After stitching, cut on the drawn diagonal line and you will have two half-square triangles. Trim the units as described above using the Precision Trimmer 6 ruler and you have completed quilt piecing!
See you next time when we will discuss quarter and triple triangles squares in the next installment of this series.

More in this Series:

  Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalquilterscircle.com.

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

Make a comment:
characters remaining

10 Responses to “Precision Quilt Piecing Part 2: Half-Square Triangles”

  1. Carol Blackwell

    Your instructions are easy to follow. Thank you

  2. Patti McConnell

    This series is extremely helpful!!

  3. CynthiaPace

    Thankyou

  4. Sandi

    I have such a hard time doing the math trying to fit half square triangles into a square to try to piece together like flying geese around the square. This I think might be helpful for me

  5. Dawn Adamany

    When you are referring to the "finished size", does that mean that this is the actual size of the units when done cutting, or does it refer to a block that includes the extra 1/2" required to piece it to other blocks? Thank you for the clarification!

  6. cathy Irene young

    thank you for explaining this

  7. Kellie Campbell-Mulkey

    Is there anyway to get these steps in PDF form? Thank you so much

  8. Pamela

    I use Bloc Loc to square up my HST's, my seams always match when piecing the blocks together. If you're interested check out there website www.blocloc.com

  9. Sherri

    Thanks for clear directions it all makes sense now being a learner the lightbulb just went off

  10. Judy Stewart

    Thank you Now I understand