20 Ways to Make HSTs, Using an Accuquilt Cutter

The Half Square Triangle Block is one of the basic building blocks used in making quilts. Half square triangle units (HSTs) are squares made up of two triangles. Each triangle occupies half of the square’s space. As you might expect, there are many, many different methods to make those blocks. This tutorial shows you 20 of the most common methods.

First, a glossary.

A finished HST is the size that it is in a quilt. It’s dressed and ready to go to the ball. An unfinished HST is in raw, unclothed form. It will be 1/2″ larger than a finished HST because the size includes a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Using an Accuquilt Die Cutting Machine

AccuQuilt is a fabric die cutting system designed to make quilting faster and easier and a lot more fun by creating a safe and efficient way to cut accurate pieces every time. Their motto is “Accurate Cuts make Accurate Quilts” and they are absolutely right. Yes, you waste a little fabric by using the machine, as opposed to cutting fabric by hand. BUT, how many times have you made the wrong cut? Or didn’t try a block because you thought it was too hard?

How does it work? Each die has sharp steel blades that form the shape to be cut. The blades are embedded in foam so that you can run your hand over the die and not be hurt. To use the die, lay your fabric on top of the die, foam side up, then lay a mat on top of the fabric. You can cut up to six layers of fabric at a time. When the die is put through the cutter, the roller compresses the foam, forcing the blades to cut through the fabric and into the mat. Remove the mat to reveal perfectly cut fabric shapes.

There are some tips and tricks you should know.

• Start by pressing your fabric. Use a spray starch like Best Press to help press out the wrinkles and fold lines before beginning to cut.
• Make sure you place your fabric on the die with the straight of grain parallel to the selvedge aligning with the edge of the shape, not with the edge of the die. This means your fabric might be slanted on the die in order to line up the fabric properly.
• When you take your fabric out of the cutter, pat it gently and say kind words. It just did a lot of work for you, especially if you used the die that makes 12 at a time. Seriously, though, there is often static that builds up on the die. Although Accuquilt sells an anti-static spray, it often works just as well to run your hand down the mat before taking it off the fabric. If that doesn’t work, turn the die and the fabric upside down before gently sliding off the mat.
• Static can be your friend! Place the two fabrics that you are using for the HST right sides together before running them through your machine. They will stick together so you can go directly from cutting to sewing. Even better, the Accuquilt machine has cut off the dog ears for you.
• If you have problems, read our article on Problems with Your Sewing Machine.

To make a Half Square Triangle (HST) using an Accuquilt cutter

Place your pressed fabric onto the correct “Half Square Triangle” die, aligning the straight of grain with the edge of the blade. Cover it with the mat then roll the die, fabric, and mat sandwich through the machine to cut out the shapes. The die will precisely cut the necessary triangles with the correct seam allowances, ready to be sewn together to make your HST units.

Caution: Make sure you have the correct sized die.

• GO! Half Square Triangle-1″ Finished Square Die
• Go! Half Square Triangle 1-1/2″ Finished Square Die
• GO! Half Square Triangle-2″ Finished Square Die
• GO! Half Square Triangle-2 1/2″ Finished Square Die
• GO! Half Square Triangle-3″ Finished Square Die
• GO! Half Square Triangle-4″ Finished Square
• Go! Half Square Triangle 4-1/2″ Finished Square die
• Go! Half Square Triangle 5″ Finished Square die
• GO! Half Square Triangle-6″ Finished Square die
• GO! Half Square Triangle-8″ Finished Square Die

Pressing the Block

Another benefit to having your pieces accurately precut by the machine is the fact that your HSTs will come out of the machine perfect. No need to square them up! You can go straight from sewing machine to ironing board.