Quilt Block Construction: Halfsquare Triangles

Most quilt blocks are made up of squares, rectangles or triangles. The square and the rectangle if cut on the straight of fabric have 2 very stable edges, and 2 fairly stable edges. But the right triangle has that one bias side that can throw the whole block out of kilter. Here is an easy and effective way of controlling that bias edge.

This piece is called by several names, halfsquare triangle, two triangle squares, triangle square, bias squares and more. It is two right triangles placed together to form a square, or a square cut diagonally into two right triangles. To use a triangle shaped template, cut out the triangles and sew the triangles together often causes stretching of that bias(long) side As the quiltmaker holds the corners of the triangles together, and the sewing machine feed dogs carry that long edge through, this bias edge tends to stretch, and when pieced into the block, causes the block to be out of square.

My solution has been not to cut that triangle template at all, and thus avoid sewing a bias cut edge. For a two inch finished trianglesquare , cut one 2 1/2 inch square of two contrasting fabrics. Draw a diagonal line corner to corner on the wrong side of the lightest fabric. Placing the two squares right sides together, right sides facing, sew on this line.

Cut away the fabric on one side of the sewn line leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Open the triangles. Press the seam toward the darker fabric. The result is two halfsquare triangles forming a 2 1/2 inch square. When this is pieced into a block it will be 2 inches finished.

Now, let's try using some of these sewn trianglesquare pieces in different settings. As you experiment with your own 16 squares, you will find many variations for blocks. The patterns formed by setting the blocks together for a quilt top can be stunning.

Change a few trianglesquares - - -

And change them again - - -

And on and on - - endless changes in the 16!

Next month, my millennium quilt....

Merry Sunshine

And please rate this article. Thanks very much!

Go To Page: 1