The Traditional HST Quilt Block is one of the most basic of all blocks – the Half Square Triangle Block or HST. 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. In this month’s block, I only show you one method, the traditional one. You are welcome to use any other method you choose, of course!
How to Create and Square Up a Half Square Triangle (HST) Quilt Block
The Traditional Method of making Half Square Triangle Blocks (HSTs) is to place two identical squares right sides together. These squares should be 7/8″ larger than the finished size of the final HST. Draw a diagonal line on the back of one square. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line. Cut on the line and press to the dark.
You will have made two identical Half Square Triangle (HST) blocks. My personal preference is to cut squares 1″ larger than the finished size of the final HST and square it up to the correct size after pressing.
There are two ways you can square up your block.
You can place a square ruler so the diagonal line is directly over the seam and just cut two sides. Quilt-in-a-Day has a Square Up Ruler that uses this method.
Or you can press open the block (pressing to the dark) and square it up using a ruler the same size as the block you are making. A fussy-cut ruler with lines on both diagonals will be very helpful with this.
Download Color Me Creative Block Six below.
Thanks for reading this far:-))
- 4/18/2022 Introduction and Block One
- 5/11/2022 Block Two: The Diamond Sawtooth Star
- 6/15/2022 Block Three: the Challenging Block
- 7/13/2022 Block Four: More Flying Geese
- 8/10/2022 Block Five: the Log Cabin
- 9/14/2022 Block Six: HST Quilt Blocks
- 10/12/2022 Block Seven: the Churn Dash
- 11/9/2022 Block Eight: the Center Star
- 12/14/2022 Block Nine: Half Star Quilt Blocks
- 1/11/2023 Block Ten: the Center of the Quilt
- 2/08/2023 Block Eleven: Borders
- 3/15/2023 Block Twelve: Finishing and adding a label
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