I’m having a blast with this skill builder sampler, but I must admit, DANG, this week’s pinwheel block was a killer! I’m not even a super newbie to HSTs (half square triangles), but for some reason this one literally took an entire evening…sad but true.
Per directions, I did the old “draw a line corner to corner and sew on each side” trick for all 10 pairs…so much cutting, so much sewing, so much trimming!
But somewhere around my third episode of Law & Order, as I’m slaving away, I remembered a sneaky little HST trick I learned from Jenny Doan over at Missouri Star Quilt Co, so I whipped up a quick little demo for you below. It’s so fast, you’ll almost feel like you’re cheating…ALMOST!
Ok, first step, don’t cut zillions of tiny pieces! Start with 2 larger squares (I used 5″ charm squares, but you could also use 10″ layer cakes, or cut any size you wish!)- I also love high contrast colors for these.
Next, lay one on top of the other, right sides together, and line up all of the corners. Place a pin or two in each side to prevent wonkiness (I skipped this step in my first attempt and the results were a little embarrassing…so yes, please, pin).
Next, sew a 1/4″ seam around the entire unit, leaving no gap. Now you’re palms are probably sweating and you’re mind is screaming “NO! Wait! We’ve trapped this gorgeous fabric inside of a weird little pocket!”. Hold your horses!!! The fabric will escape soon!
Now, carefully line your ruler up on two opposite corners, and cut.
Repeat in the opposite direction. Now you have 4 cute little triangle pieces.
Now we open, press, and…hey, wait!!! Those aren’t cute little triangles! They’re HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES! You just made 4 of them in like 90 seconds!
And look what you can do with these little miracles! ANYTHING!
Have you made a quilt using this method?? I’d love to see your designs! HST’s are so much fun- I want to do a zig-zag quilt next!
I need a 2 1/2 unfinished square (HST) how would I figure out what size squares I need to start with – is there a formula I could use?
Thanks
Donna
They have updated the tutorial about pinwheels on the Missouri Star Quilt Co. They have a list of sizes and a formula you can use. The only one I can remember (because it is an easy one to remember) is 8″ square will make you a 10″ block. I just finished a quilt for charity (going to the east coast) and used a 10″ square and ended up with a 12 1/2″ block.
Hi Amy – what a great trick!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Sandra
I’m going crazy here. I want a 4.5″ finished square (each one of Amy’s magic triangles) if I add 2″ to a 6 1/2″ square I am getting 4 3/8″ square, then I added 2 1/4″ to 6 1/2″ square and got 4 3/8″ square. what am I doing wrong.
OMG, that is genius!
Oh Wow! wish I would have read this earlier this week, but I am definitely going to remember this one! Just pinned it for future reference. Thanks Amy!
Fantastic–wish I had seen this sooner as well! Thank you!
Love this tutorial….thank you. but I wonder about the bias edges of the half square. Did you have any problems joining the squares?
Thanks for sharing, Amy! HST are my current favourites so your little tutorial is a huge help!
For those trying so hard to get the right size hst – make them larger, then just use your rulers with the 45 degree line on the diagonal seam and trim the squares to size. You may waste a little fabric, but it’s a lot less stress. Good luck!
Good point Jan! A little excess to leave room for trimming eliminates a lot of stress- so worth the teenie bit of extra fabric and time! :)