Half Square Triangles:
Method 1:
Using your ruler, cut out each side of the triangle in your individual colors, and then sew them along the long side. Press, then press open, and trim if needed.
Cut out using your ruler
You will end up with two pieces like this.
Method 2:
Creating two half-square triangles at a time, determine the finished sized of your triangle square, and add 7/8". If you are looking to create 2 half-square triangles that are 3" finished, then start with 2 pieces of fabric that are 3 7/8", and with right sides together, draw a diagonal line (the black line below). Stitch 1/4" from that line, on both sides (blue lines below), and then cut along black line. Press, then press open, and trim if needed.
Method 3:
This method gives you 8 half-square triangles. It's very easy to do, and if it's more triangles than you need today, put them in a box, for another quilt on another day. With this method, you determine the size of the half-square triangle you need and add 1 3/4" to two different colored blocks. Put the two blocks together, right sides together, and draw a line in the center of the fabric, turn and cross that line with another line in the center of the fabric. Coming down 3/8"-1/2" from the edge, draw angled lines from your crossed lines. This makes what looks like a big 'on point' square on your fabric. Now, sew 1/4" from the angled lines in a continuous pattern (red line below), on the inside of the square you drew, turning the fabric when you come to a line. Turn the fabric and do the same thing along the outside of the square (red line below). When sewing is complete, cut along each of the lines you drew on the fabric (black lines below.) Press, then press open, and trim if needed.
Creating 8 half-square triangles at once.
Setting up your lines to sew 8 half-square triangles.
Cutting your 8 half-square triangles
Method 4:
An alternate way to draw your lines, to create 8 half square triangles. In this method, you determine the size of the half-square triangle you need and add 1 3/4" to two different colored blocks. Put the two blocks together, right sides together, and draw lines diagonally, creating a large "X" on your fabric. Then find the center from left to right and draw and intersecting line. Turn your fabric and find the center again and draw another intersecting line. You should have an X and an intersecting cross, like the image below. Stitch 1/4" from each diagonal line, above and below the line, as shown with the blue lines in the image below. Cut along the black lines, and you will have 8 half-square triangles.
Quarter-Square Triangles
Method 1:
Using your ruler, cut out 2 of each color, or 4 triangles for each square, and then sew the first two along the short side. Repeat with the second two pieces. You will create 2 half-square triangle sides, and then sew them together along the long side. You should now have a square that looks something like an hourglass. Press, then press open, and trim if needed.
Cutting individual quarter-square triangles.
A quarter square triangle square.
Method 2:
Making 4 quarter-squares, or two quarter square triangle blocks. With this pattern, add 1-1/4" to your quarter-square triangle size. Beginning with two different fabrics, right sides together, draw lines diagonally from each corner of the fabric (black lines below). On only one of those diagonal lines, sew 1/4" from the top and bottom of that line. Cut along the diagonal lines (black lines below. You now have 4 half-square triangle blocks. Select 2 of these, where the colors are opposite, and stitch along long edge. You now have 2 quarter-square triangle blocks.
Method 3:
This method starts with half-square triangles. You might have a box filled with half-square triangles you haven't used yet, and if you do, this will be an easy way for you to create the quarter-square triangles you now want. Begin with 2 opposite half-square triangles, and lay them with right sides together. Draw a line diagonally, that will create a cross with the seam on the half-square triangles (line is in black below). Stitch 1/4" from the top and bottom of this line (orange lines below), cut along the line you drew, and you have 2 quarter-square triangles.
Half-square with blue on top
Half-square with lavendar on top
Stitching the half-squares together.
What your quarter-square triangles look like.
No comments:
Post a Comment