I have been making a LOT of half-square-triangle quilt blocks recently. Half-square-triangles (or HST’s) are one of the greatest basic building blocks of traditional quilting. I’m not a super-duper-precise piecer, but I am a firm believer in squaring-up blocks – especially half-square-triangle blocks.
It just makes the piecing come together easier and look so much nicer in the end.
But as we all know, the square-ing up process can get kind of tedious. Right? So I thought I’d share a trick I finally just discovered that has made the work SO much easier and faster. Oh my goodness, I don’t know why this took me so long to figure out. Many of you are probably already doing this, but just in case you’re like me, here’s the scoop:
First of all, this is my favorite basic method for making HST’s: Match two squares right-sides-together and draw a diagonal line down the back of one side. Sew a 1/4″ seam on both sides of the drawn line. Cut on the drawn line. This will create two HST blocks. I generally like to make my blocks slightly larger than the final size so that I can have room to square them up. If you are making a bunch at once – especially if you are chain-piecing them – it’s really easy for seams or matched-up squares to get slightly distorted. Here is the traditional way to square-up a half-square-triangle block.
This Quilt in a Day Square up Ruler
Before you even open the HST block, lay the corner of the ruler on top of the pieced block and match up the marking for the desired finished size of the block, right on the seam. (So for example, I want a 3″ finished block, so I am laying the 3″ line on my seam, NOT the 3″ line on the bottom edge of the triangle.)
Trim two edges using a rotary cutter. By laying the mark on the seam you get a square block with the diagonal seam centered when you open up the block.
I then use my rotary cutter to trim off the ends so that I won’t have the little triangle tags when I open up the block.
And voila – a perfectly squared-up 3″ HST block with no tags sticking out at the ends. Before you open up the block, press along the seam to “set the seam.” Then press the block from the front, careful not to pull or distort the diagonal seam, using the tip of the iron right on the seam to make sure it is fully opened and flat. Makes the blocks so nice and crisp and the best part is that I can get through a stack of them so much more quickly. I suggest doing the whole stack one step at a time. (For example: sew all blocks, trim all blocks, and then press all blocks, to streamline the process.)
I traditionally press my seams to the side – usually the dark. Sometime though I’ll press my seams open, especially if the blocks are small.
Here’s a repeat of the process again, this time making my block a 2 3/4″ block. Notice the arrow in the top left picture where I have lined up the 2 3/4″ markings with the seam. Trim two sides, open and press. (Ruler in bottom right photo only to show finished dimensions.)
I know there are a lot of quilty-gadgets out there, and you don’t need every one, but if you make a lot of HST’s and dislike the squaring-up part, Quilt in a Day Square up Ruler
If you’re looking for more half-square-triangle inspiration, here are a few other projects I’ve used them in: Half-Square-Triangle spectrum quilt,
Out to Sea baby quilt tutorial
Plus a whole pinboard of Half Square Triangle inspiration!
this post contains affiliate links
110 Comments
Linda
February 21, 2014 at 11:46 amSUCH A CUTE QUILT!<br />THANKS FOR SHARING!<br /><br />cobaltt16@yahoo.com
MARIA CRISTINA
February 21, 2014 at 11:59 am<3
Chris O'Dorisio
February 21, 2014 at 12:02 pmWOW!! Amy I am going to have to find one of those rulers!! Thanks for the tip! I wonder if Joanne's carries this ruler, they have lots of other Quilt In a Day supplies.
amy smart
February 21, 2014 at 12:04 pmYep! I think I got mine at JoAnn's!
brownj6610
February 21, 2014 at 12:10 pmI took a class from Eleanor and have been using this ruler ever since. I've convinced others to buy this ruler also.
Sharon
February 21, 2014 at 12:12 pmNice tut! I love that spectrum quilt with the all over HST
Jan
February 21, 2014 at 12:15 pmIt never entered my mind to square up hst before pressing! What a great tip; thank you. btw, I've been quilting 25 years, so that says a lot – always something new to learn.
M Yang
February 21, 2014 at 12:17 pmThis is really neat, thanks for sharing. Now I have to look in my messy drawer for this ruler!!
Lucy @ Charm About You
February 21, 2014 at 12:21 pmYes that is genius!!
Sharon
February 21, 2014 at 12:26 pmI just picked up this ruler a couple of weeks ago. At Joann's–it was on clearance even! It's really cool! I have a pile of tiny crooked HSTs that I am now able to face :)<br />Thanks for walking us through the process!
Anita C
February 21, 2014 at 12:28 pmHaha I have that ruler & never used it. I remember picking up couple of years ago on sale & saying "I'm sure this will work" …..totatly forgot Thanks
Lana
February 21, 2014 at 12:43 pmThat is an amazing set of quilts…and you make it look soooo easy! Thank you for sharing the process…you KNOW how I love processes!!! Happy Friday!
Mary Jusinski
February 21, 2014 at 12:51 pmI just purchased the Quilt in a day ruler on clearance. Perfect timing on the tutorial on how to use it. Thanks so much!
Sarah Elliott
February 21, 2014 at 1:02 pmAWESOME! I love HSTs, but I get so bored having to square them up. I'm definitely getting this ruler in my next Amazon order! Thanks for posting this!
Books_Bound
February 21, 2014 at 1:29 pmI loathe squaring up HSTs! I must buy this. Thank you for showing me the light! 🙂
SeeMaryQuilt
February 21, 2014 at 1:33 pmThis needs to be added to the bottom of all HST tutorials. Genius way of squaring up!
Regina
February 21, 2014 at 1:42 pmAnother ruler on my wish list. Great blog and I agree with SeeMaryQuilt!
Paula @ Sewy Stuff
February 21, 2014 at 1:47 pmDefinitely looks easy! "Gotta get me one!"
Elaine
February 21, 2014 at 1:48 pmGreat tool, thanks for sharing. Your spectrum quilt is what led me to your super informational blog. It's eye candy! I guess we all want to share our happiness in finding HST perfection bliss!
Ruth
February 21, 2014 at 1:58 pmBrilliant idea. I've just ordered one.
B. J. Woodlee
February 21, 2014 at 2:23 pmThanks for sharing. I've got to get three on order one for each of my two sisters and one for myself. Love your quilts.
Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge
February 21, 2014 at 2:31 pmThanks for the tip on the ruler! I make a lot of HSTs and didn't know it existed! Happy Friday!
Rebecca Grace
February 21, 2014 at 2:36 pmOh, those specialty rulers in my sewing room are multiplying like bunny rabbits, and now you've given me a new one for my shopping list! I absolutely adore your HST Spectrum quilt, by the way.
Karen
February 21, 2014 at 2:51 pmThis is brilliant! Thank you!
Heather
February 21, 2014 at 2:51 pmBrilliant! Heading to a quilt show next week and will definitely seek this out!
M.W.
February 21, 2014 at 2:52 pmI am heading to Joanns tonight…. I hope they have one. <br />Thanks for sharing<br />Shawn
valentinegirl
February 21, 2014 at 3:26 pmLove the ruler tip–I had not seen that before and turning a block 4 times (even with a turning cutting mat) is a pain. Also love that you can spell voila!! I can't stand seeing WA LA!!
amy smart
February 22, 2014 at 4:52 pmHaha! (I know right?!) Thanks. I'm glad that taking 5 years of French has helped me in some small way. 😉 Because to be honest, I don't use it (or remember) much else.
Terry@ a quilting blog
February 21, 2014 at 3:38 pmYour quilts are beautiful!!! I have that ruler and love it!
Irelle
February 21, 2014 at 3:38 pmAn even better tool is the BlocLoc ruler. It has a groove in the back to hug your seam – it is fabulous!
Susan Strong (strongstitches.wordpress.com)
February 21, 2014 at 3:51 pmThat's genius! I've never seen that ruler before but will be asking for it at my LQS. And I have a HST project in mind to try it out. Thanks for the tip.
pkrueger
February 21, 2014 at 3:55 pmThanks for the great tip! Now I can look forward to doing some half-square triangles.
Stacy Olson
February 21, 2014 at 4:18 pmHSTs are one of my favorite blocks. I was using the traditional method for squaring up, but this is pretty genius. Thanks for sharing Amy!!
Ramona
February 21, 2014 at 5:05 pmIt's funny… This week I also posted about how to make HST's using the Quilt in a Day ruler. It sure does make the process faster! Love your quilts.
Rebecca Greco
February 21, 2014 at 5:27 pmI have a stack of triangles that I've been afraid to touch. This will definitely be helpful in making it as painless as possible!
Petit Design Co.
February 21, 2014 at 6:15 pmI too have seen the ruler and never bothered to figure out how to use it. Good thing tomorrow is Saturday and I have some Joann's coupons! Thanks for sharing
GabiP
February 21, 2014 at 6:20 pmThis is a GREAT tut and I even own one of those rulers (but didn't know how to use it)! Thx so much! Being a newbie, it's great to learn all these neat tips! The whole squaring up a block thing is kinda mystifying to me as it is!
barbara woods
February 21, 2014 at 6:31 pmthanks for the tips
Chrie
February 21, 2014 at 7:04 pmTHANK YOU SO MUCH for this revelation! I'm in process of construction of a quilt using over 200 HSTs and this tip has come in time to save me a lot of frustration!!!!
Katy Cameron
February 21, 2014 at 7:11 pmI shall add this to my collection of HST tips, but really, one of these days I'm hoping the HST fairy will just show up here…
Anne
February 21, 2014 at 9:19 pmGlad to know about this ruler and method. I make a lot of HST too. Did you press to the side or open?
amy smart
February 24, 2014 at 1:58 pmGood question. I typically press to the side. (I'm just traditional that way.) But occasionally I'll press open, depending on how intricate the block is (i.e. how many seams there are) or how small the triangle is.
Terry sHeldon
May 27, 2015 at 12:19 pmMachine quilters do tell me they don’t like pressed open seams…sort of ruins in-the-ditch quilting since there’s no fabric there.
patsy
February 21, 2014 at 9:26 pmYOU ROCK<br />really!<br /><br />thank you
id
February 21, 2014 at 9:59 pmI have this ruler and have always just used it as a square–duh…<br />This makes so much sense. I;m glad that you press to set the seam–so very few people do this and it is really critical.
DeborahGun
February 21, 2014 at 10:55 pmThanks for sharing this. I need one of those rulers!!
Christine S
February 21, 2014 at 11:11 pmI did not know of this ruler, thanks for sharing!!
Mara
February 22, 2014 at 2:37 amHave you ever tried or heard of HST on a roll? (the paper version of making HST's)
amy smart
February 24, 2014 at 1:55 pmI've heard of them. I need to give them a try sometime. I know they help a lot with accuracy.
moosecraft
February 22, 2014 at 6:09 amThanks for the tip! HST's are so versatile… and making the process easier is always appreciated…
Staci
February 22, 2014 at 6:22 amWow! Okay, I need this! I've seen it before, but like you, never paid attention.
Nancy
February 22, 2014 at 6:53 amBrilliant idea. I just love it.
wannabequilter.com
February 22, 2014 at 8:54 amI'm just branching out into triangles – this is a smart tool!
wannabequilter.com
February 25, 2014 at 6:10 pmI ordered the 9.5" version and it just arrived today. I'm doing the Wishes QAL and it has lots of triangles. I'm also doing the Vice Versa BOM and although I'm not certain, I think there are some more triangles in my future there in the months to come, too!
Anita
February 22, 2014 at 8:59 amGreat post! Thank you for this information. I do dislike the squaring up (and that's putting it nicely). I must get this ruler! 🙂
Kirsten
February 22, 2014 at 9:26 amThank you so much! You saved my day with this post! I have been cutting squares for a quilt for my sister and need many HSTs which I hate squaring up! I am getting ready to sew now and I found your post. I thought to myself – WOW that is the ruler I have had laying in my drawer not knowing why I bought it or what to do with it… Now I know – and it will save me so much time and hassle! Yesss!
Linda Fleming
February 22, 2014 at 12:58 pmI must get one of these today before I start my next project using HST's. Thanks for the tip and tutorial!
Shannon
February 22, 2014 at 4:28 pmI would be one of those people that would do it the hard way forever so THANK YOU for sharing! <br />I will be getting one of these ASAP!
Melanie
February 22, 2014 at 9:39 pmSold…I just ordered myself one of these rulers! I love HST! Thank you for sharing!
Michele
February 23, 2014 at 4:31 amSold too. It sounds like a great tool to have. Thanks so much for filling us in.
Twins Squared
February 23, 2014 at 7:54 amThank you so much for this tutorial! I need to get one of these rulers ASAP! 🙂
Karin H.
February 23, 2014 at 9:00 amAwesome tip, thank you so much!!
Sandra Dagg
February 23, 2014 at 11:50 amI went looking through my rulers and Yup I have an unused Quilt in a Day square up ruler. I am using it today and it is a much quicker way to square them up. We buy these rulers and then tuck them away. Thanks for the tutorial and for getting me to use it. .
mara oliveira
February 23, 2014 at 2:44 pmah.. tão lindo, ver você fazendo parece tão fácil… quando pra mim não é…
AnneMarie
February 23, 2014 at 7:23 pmGreat tips Amy! I saw Corey/LMS talking about this on Instagram within the past week. It's been brought to my attention twice. Now I've gotta try it!
Sherry Moore
February 23, 2014 at 11:31 pmWow, I just bought that ruler on clearance at my local Joanns, it had been marked down to $7.95 then to $3.95 so I thought that even though I had never seen it used I had to get it for the price! Thanks for the explanation, it sure will make it faster to make those pesky triangle squares!
Antònies Bera
February 24, 2014 at 9:31 amThaks for share this tips. We are beginners and we need to know about this things. Congrats!!<br /> http://lesantoniesblog.blogspot.com.es
Janet Lynn
February 26, 2014 at 6:39 amThanks! I so needed this! I wondered how this worked! BTW, I first learned to quilt with your tutorial and made quilts for my great niece and nephew for Chirstmas! I have LOTS of HST's cut and sewn but, was really not liking this part. Now I'm looking forward to getting back to it!
TheSewingLoft
March 4, 2014 at 7:55 amLoving this Amy! Thanks so much for the tips. I'll be pinning and sharing. <br />~Heather
cgd
March 5, 2014 at 1:23 pmThank you so much for sharing these tips!!! I have to make a lot of 1/2 square triangle blocks tonight and will dig out my Quilt in a Day ruler and give it a try!!!
martha cook
March 12, 2014 at 3:24 amSo glad I came across your blog! Going to finish a project I started yrs ago with 2 inch squares. Needless to say I purchased the ruler. Unfortunately not at sale price. Oh well.
Sigi G
April 1, 2014 at 5:42 amThank you for this great way of trimming HST's. I love making them, but my back already aches when I think of the trimming process. Can't wait to try your method on my next ones.
Autumn
May 31, 2014 at 4:37 pmI've had one of these for several years and never used it. Occasionally I'd pick it up and say "hmmm" and put it back. Thanks for your "simple" tutorial. I needed it!
patsy
June 9, 2014 at 1:01 amI follow your directions and I made a quilt . it came out so nice. I wasn't on point on all the squares but it sure came out nice. thanks for the tutorial.
amy smart
June 16, 2014 at 10:48 pmI'm so glad! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Christina Lane | The Sometimes Crafter
August 23, 2014 at 9:20 pmI need that ruler! 🙂
Johanna
September 4, 2014 at 10:12 amThanks for this post! How have I never seen this ruler before!?! I immediately ordered one.
Karen
April 30, 2015 at 8:38 pmThank you! The ruler is now on my wish list. Your easier quilt patterns are an inspiration to a beginner, like myself! Your triangle quilt is fresh and inviting! Nice job!
Amy Smart
May 9, 2015 at 1:40 pmThank you! I’m so glad. Beginner patterns are still my favorite. 🙂
Susan Schoneweis
May 9, 2015 at 12:58 pmI’ve been looking for similar instructions for piecing hst’s using 16″ squares sown 4 times (I think) to make a bunch of hst’s at once. Learned it at a Saline county, Kansas extension program in 1985 called ‘painless Patchwork’. Lost the instructions. I’ve had my 16″ squares cut since 1986. Now maybe I’ll be able to get going again after finding your blog.
Amy Smart
May 9, 2015 at 1:43 pmYes! So if you draw two diagonal lines on the back side of one of your squares (like an X) and do the same thing, sewing on both sides of the diagonal lines. Then cut the block into four 4″ squares and again on the diagonal lines, you’ll get 8 HST blocks from the two 16″ squares!
Modern gray and white neutrals quilt - Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
May 19, 2015 at 9:01 am[…] create this specific quilt I cut ninety-nine 8″ x 8″ squares. I used this method for making half-square triangle blocks. I squared-up the blocks to 7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″. Then laid out the blocks 9 across by 11 […]
Patty Dunn
May 20, 2015 at 5:44 amI recently saw a die cut machine that cuts and squares up HST’s quickly and perfectly. I am curious if there are pro’s and con’s for doing the cutting this way? I don’t know anyone who uses one but am curious about them as it looks so easy? Thanks in advance for any input!
Terry sHeldon
May 27, 2015 at 12:14 pmI have tried all the methode you can think of for HST’s, including this one, which works fine. But to me, the best way is using Thangles, which is what I always come back to. I have Thangles in every size they make. No worries about bias sewing due to the paper foundation, plus they come out perfect without having to square up. All you have to do is sew on the line!
Rachel Provencher
June 3, 2015 at 10:37 amOMG, this past weekend I made about 200 HST’s, and squaring them up is the part I dislike! Now I’m actually looking forward to the rest of them (all 600 of them). Thanks for a short, great tutorial.
Cathy DiGuiseppi
July 15, 2015 at 1:24 pmI just found these instructions and they are exactly what I needed! I have had this ruler for years and never really knew how to use it! Thank you!!
Pinterest: What The Did With Quilting TutorialsMade Peachy
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Loanemu
October 10, 2015 at 11:42 amA big thank you for your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Quilting Focus
October 31, 2015 at 4:26 pmThese quilts are amazing! I love creating squares from different scraps, it is such a great way to use up left over material. We have a great post where we featured our Squares to Triangle Quilting Tool, which really makes cutting squares and creating triangles super easy! Check it out and happy quilting! http://www.quiltingfocus.com/2015/04/squares-to-triangle-quilting-tool/
Sureen
November 10, 2015 at 6:43 amThank you SO much for saving my quilting soul!!!! All I have to do now is buy one of those little rulers.
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Cheryl
December 29, 2015 at 12:17 pmLove your quilts. I plan to look at your patterns. Do you sell wholesale?
Amy Smart
December 30, 2015 at 1:35 pmI am just working on getting hard copy patterns professionally printed to sell wholesale. Let me know if there’s something you’re interested in.
Cheryl Matzen
February 11, 2016 at 8:00 pmHey Amy,
Because my products are specific for making rapid fire HSTs, what would be your wholesale price for the Hour Glass quilt pattern?
I have a booth at the Austin Area Quilt Guild Show in Austin, Texas September 15-18, 2016 (~4000 to attend). I would like to provide this pattern for client purchase, and to demo how the hour glass block is made using my tools. I also need the time to make the quilt for part of my display wall at the event.
Your patterns are very nice. I look forward to your response and our future business relationship. Thanks so much.
Have a lovely quilting day,
Cheryl Matzen
Owner, Quilt-N-A-Flash, LLC
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Melanie grube
February 22, 2016 at 12:13 pmIn the photos of the tut, the upper left shows that the line on the ruler was EXACTLY on your seam line. The bottom right photo shows a ruler over the trimmed, opened block, but I see that it is a bit shy in the bottom left corner of the block. Your alignment for trimming was spot-on so it seems to me that your square should have come out perfect. Do you know what caused this discrepancy? The seam looks fully opened.
I often have this problem, I make sure the alignment is exact before trimming and make sure the ruler doesn’t move while cutting, but often I end up with a less-than-perfect square.
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eileen
March 19, 2016 at 1:48 pmlove the colors and fabric you choose, wonderful quilt
Kay
April 7, 2016 at 2:52 amThank you so much for this, I need to see if I can locate on in England. x
Linda
April 7, 2016 at 5:20 amGreat instructions I am going to buy this ruler. Have you tried the new block lock rulers.. Very expensive so I have not purchased.
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Osa Redding
January 17, 2017 at 9:13 amI found your site by accident (or one of my angels took pity on me). Your site is wonderful and has helped get me partially back in the loop (I’ve got a lot to catch up on). I’m coming back to quilting after a 50 year sabbatical and boy have things changed (I started when we cut patterns from grocery bags). One thing I’ve noticed is that most sites highlight important info with reds or greens and for us color blind folks that makes it hard to see. I’m wondering if there is an alternative – luckily I have friends who don’t mind reading it for me (they also have learned some new tricks by helping me). Thanks for your great site.
Cynthia Jendrejcak
January 25, 2017 at 6:07 pmThis was fantastic info for a new quilter!!! I’m working on a batik HST quilt and was really not looking forward to squaring up 315 blocks for it – this method will make it go so quickly!
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Zandra Pellet
May 21, 2017 at 9:53 amThanks s much for the tip on the half square triangle square up ruler. I found this the other day and immediately ordered one. It really does make hst’s more fun. Have really been enjoying your blog.