If you need to make Quarter-Square-Triangle quilt blocks but all you have is strips, give this method a try. The blocks do end up on the bias but the seams hold it tightly in place. You can always use a starch like Best Press if that worries you. The formula for QST quilt blocks is at the bottom of this page.
Start with two strips of fabric, a dark and a light. In the example below, the strips are 2-3/8″ wide. I sewed them together and pressed the seams open. The two strips together measure 4-1/4″ wide. I crosscut them into 2-3/8″ wide sub strips.
That’s because I am going to sew them into two 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ four-patch quilt blocks, pressing the seams open again, as shown below.
Then place them right sides together with opposite colors touching. Sew all the way around the outside of this unit as if it were a pillow with no way to get to the inside. I suggest pinning the seams so they match up.
Now take a deep breath and cut it on both diagonals.
Open up your units and surprise! You just made (4) QST quilt blocks. Press that seam open again and square them up.
Using a Fussy Cut Ruler
I am a big fan of the Quilt in a Day fussy cut rulers. You can easily see the center seam, and you can double-check to make sure you aren’t cutting off the same allowance. VERY useful!
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Have another tip to offer? Send it to me or reply below and I will add it here.
Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter! Once a week, I send updates on quilt-related information I have found while wandering the web. This might be an inspiring article, a tip or tutorial I have discovered (or written), and occasionally exclusive offers & discounts as well as immediate access to the secret page of free patterns, guides, and printables. You can follow my page on Facebook, or join the Make Believe Quilters group, too.
