Learn the this simple way to make Half Square Triangles 4 at time with a chart for calculating the correct size fabric needed. Making half square triangles 4 at time is such a time saver, for sure. I love that you can make so many at once with this method, but can still use lots of different prints. I love how Half Square Triangles can be used to show bold prints and vibrant solid colors.
I have so many different color combinations in my mind that I want to try, each one evoking a different feeling and mood. I really am obsessed with solids right now, they are so chic and modern and can be used to make a quilt that almost anybody will like. I used Kona Cotton Solids from Stash Fabrics. I love that they have ALL of the Kona Cotton Solids and that you can buy them by the 1/4 yard. This is so great when your not really sure if the color is the right shade or not.
This is the second installment of the Half Square Triangle Series. You can see the rest of the Half Square Triangle Series below:
How Do You Make A Half Square Triangle? Try Any Of These Methods Below
- Method I - Simple Half Square Triangle Tutorial
- Method II - HST Tutorial 4 at a Time
- Method III - The Magic 8 Method - Make 8 HST at Once
- Method IV – Half Square Triangles from a Jelly Roll – The Strip Method
- Method IV - How To Use Half Square Triangle Paper
- 25+ Half Square Triangle Quilt Patterns
HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE QUILT BLOCK TUTORIAL:
HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES 4 AT A TIME
- To make HST place two equal size squares of fabric Right Sides Together (RST). It is much easier with this method, to make the squares 1/2in to 1 inch bigger than you would like the resulting square to be. Then straight stitch all the way around the edge of the square using 1/4in seam.
- Mark a diagonal line across both diagonals on the wrong side of the top fabric square. Using your rotary blade, cut the square in quarters following the drawn diagonal lines.
3. You will now have 4 Half Square Triangle Blocks.
4. Open the blocks outward and either lightly finger press or use your iron to lightly press. Be very careful to only press up and down, NOT back and forth. These triangles are cut on the bias and will stretch very easily leading to uneven shaped blocks and distorted squares. Handle these blocks as little as possible. I find that starching the fabric heavily before sewing helps quite a bit.
5. You will now have 4 Half Square Triangles made from just one block.
4. Your seam should be pressed (both layers) toward the darker color.
6. Place a ruler on the block keeping the 45-degree diagonal line over the diagonal seam. Trim each side of your square to the desired size.
7. You now have finished half square triangle blocks ready to assemble in a quilt top.
4 AT A TIME HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE CHART WITH MATH FORMULA
Here is a handy cheat sheet for making 4 at a time half square triangles using the math formulas below. You can either use the dimensions given or use the formula to figure out your own dimensions.
- To figure out your own dimensions for making 4 half square triangles at a time you will need to know either the beginning square size you will be cutting or the size of the unfinished block you need.
- Using the unfinished size half square triangle block you would like, for instance, 4 inches, you will take 4 and divide it by .64. That will be the starting size square you will need to cut.
- If you know the beginning size square you are starting with, say 8 inches, for example, you will multiply 8 x .64 and that will give you the unfinished size block that you will be making.
- You can use the chart given below to find the correct measurements. Some of these measurements are exact and leave very little room for error so I would add a little extra seam allowance or room to square up.
SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE TUTORIAL:
- 5" CHARM PACKS FOR QUILTING
- 5" WHITE CHARM PACKS
- SEWING MACHINE
- ROTARY CUTTER
- ROTARY MAT
- CREATIVE GRID RULER
- FRIXON ERASABLE PENS
- THREAD
- WONDER CLIPS
- IRON
- WOOL PRESSING MAT
- STARCH
Learn How to Quilt Series
- How to Chain Piece Quilt Blocks
- How to Use a Rotary Cutter and Mat
- How to Choose the Right Machine Quilting Needle
- How to Use Half Square Triangle Paper
Free Quilt Patterns
- Swiss Cross Quilt Pattern
- Simple Squares Quilt Pattern
- Ribbons and Bows Quilt Pattern
- Four Square Quilt Pattern
- Safari Party Squared Quilt Pattern
- Heart Block Mini Quilt
Half Square Triangles 4 At A Time Go-To Solids!
You find the shades I used below at Stash Fabrics. Click the link to be taken to the color.
Wasabi (my new go to bright green!),Capri, Hyacinth, Periwinkle
Hi first time looking at making a quilt. What site do you recommend to tell me what thread combination and tension etc .
Thanks. Clueless in Oz : )
I would recommend an all cotton thread like Mettler or Aurafil with a 75 quilting needle by schmetz. You can find those on Amazon. Thread tension for a quilting cotton should be fine around 4.5, you can adjust if needed and the stitch length at 2 or 2.5. Hope this helps!
I appreciate doing it quickly but as you mentioned these leave all bias edges and that's not good. Still better to do them 2 at a time I think and not worry about bias
I totally agree with Candyce54 -- I never want bias edges around the outside of any square!! Make two at a time by putting 2 squares right sides together, drawing a line across the top (lighter) square diagonally, sewing a scant 1/4 inch seam on both sides, cutting through the diagonal line, and pressing two HSTs. I always cut my initial squares 0.5 inches larger that I want the raw HST, to allow for margin and trimming down to the exact size I want.
Do you have a graph or table to determine what size squares to start with to make a certain size of HSTs??
Love this. Thank you for the math calculations. I was wondering how to figure out my HST unfinished block by using a layer cake or other sized squared yardage!
Bias edges are not that bad if you are careful with the pressing....However I will mention to Candyce54 above that if bias edges are a concern...to please use the Magic 8 method! NO bias edges..and you get 8 HST at at time. I will be needing 2500 HST for an upcoming quilt and doing 2 at at time is just not in the cards for me. I need a accurate way to make LOTS at a time.
Thanks for posting!
Really love this, Now I can make 4 at a time.Thankyou so much
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You are so welcome! I am so happy you found the tutorial helpful 🙂
Hi, I am doing the 4 at a time method and sewing around the squares with a 1/4" seam. Every time I get to the last side, there is some bunching and extra fabric. What am I doing wrong? Thank you!
If you want to be fully accurate, these are not half square triangles. They are quarter square triangles. The defining fact is that there are bias edges around the square, not across from point to point. One of the main reasons for making HST before the bias is cut is to keep those edges flat, not wavy. The 8-at-a-time method does make the straight-of-grain on the outside, thus making them true HST. If what you really want is QST, this is a great way to make them faster.
Agreed - these are not half square, but quarter square triangles. Those bias edges on the edges, yo!
I’m a beginner quilter.... so psyched I found your site.... thank you
Donnajn@aol.com
I love love all of the instructions for half square triangles. Do you have this in print file or PDF.
dianne2946@gmail.com
could i get a copy of your instructions they would realy help me thank you