In this tutorial I will show you how to make half square triangles 4 at a time and provide hst cheat sheets for you to download and print! Half square triangles (HSTs) are a 2 color block that can be used to create so many modern quilt patterns!
Half square triangles are one of my favorite quilting techniques and they can be used for so many things.
Half Square Triangles the easy way!
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Chart for Half Square Triangles 4 at a time
The half square triangle cheat sheets are free to print. You can use these instead of trying to calculate the correct size! Sometimes I’m too tired for math so I did the half square triangle math for you!
Just print them out and follow the directions for the size you need. If you need a size that is slightly smaller, pick the next largest and trim it down after you’ve sewn the HST.
Recommended Supplies for HSTs
- Square ruler with diagonal line
- I love having a ruler the exact size of the finished block because it makes trimming really easy, but any square ruler bigger than your block size will work for trimming. The diagonal line will help you trim accurately.
- Rotary Cutter
- Cutting Mat
- 2 fabrics
- Fabric marker
Half Square Triangles 4 at a time
In this post I will show you how to sew half square triangles 4 at a time! This method is great and SUPER EASY!
Use the chart to decide what starting size squares you need. My block is starting with 8″ squares. Cut two from two different fabrics.
Pin them together with right sides together.
Sew around the square 1/4″ from the edges, enclosing the squares.
Draw lines across both diagonals from top left to bottom right. Repeat with the other side to create an ‘X’.
Cut along the diagonal lines and then open the squares to reveal 4 HSTs!
Using Precuts for HSTs
Precuts can make your quilting process so much faster and the HST is a great block to sew with precuts since they start as squares!
10″ stackers or “layer cakes” create HST blocks that are a little bigger than 6″ when using the 4 at a time method. I love to mix a stack of a fabric line with a solid, see the free HST pattern shown above in this post.
5″ stacks or “charm packs” create HST blocks that are about 2.5″ when using the 4 at a time method.
Half Square Triangles 2 at a time
The 2 at a time method is pretty easy and a great way to use up smaller scraps. I show you how to do this method in this post. This post also has printable measurements for 2 at a time!
The easiest HST Method – 8 at a time
Click here to read about my favorite HST method – 8 at a time! This post also has a HST cheat sheet for 8 at a time!
Half square triangle quilt patterns
Now that you are a half square triangle master, here is a list of patterns to try!
- Two Hour HST Quilt
- Stripes and Stars Picnic Quilt
- Kitty Committee Cat Quilt
- The Banff Quilt Pattern
- Valley Star Quilt
- The Basketcase Quilt
