The Dreaded Acronym – It Can Mean So Many Things

It can mean so very many things, but in the quilting world it means half square triangles. There are thousands of uses for HSTs in quilts – and it seems like that many different ways to put them together.

Almost.

There’s a lot of ways to get to your HSTs and this list is by no means exhaustive. These are basically the methods I’m most apt to use, but I’m always game to try something new as well! Pinterest is always a good place to search for other methods to try! Each person has their go to method and this will be no exception.

Now- there are plenty of HST method round ups out there – I’m going to go ahead and toss mine out there, because, hey – you never know when someone might need to hear it from you vs the quilter down the road.

So the methods I want to focus on today are:

• Magic 8 Method
• 4 at a time
• 2 at a time
• Strip method
• Thangles
• Accuquilt

I have chosen these methods to focus on as there is a reason (or reasons) to use each one, and though I find some to be easier than others, they all have incredible value.

On to the methods – and I will try and include a note on the times I might be inclined to use that particular method.

Magic 8 Method HSTs

This method is great for making lots of HSTs for a big project if you have larger cuts of fabrics to work with. For example- if I needed to make a dozens of HSTs out of the same fabrics, then this would be a great way to accomplish that with way less headache. First, you are going to calculate the size of the squares you need to start with – the formula I have found is: Y= (X + 7/8)*2, with Y being the starting square and X being your desired HST.

I know, math, right?? Who knew in junior high that algebra was necessary in a hobby?

Anyway – so you have your formula. Say you want to end with a 3” HST – the math is as follows:

Y=(3+7/8)*2 which becomes Y=3.875*2 which then becomes Y=7.75

Now – if you’re concerned that you might wind up with incorrect sizes or you prefer the utmost accuracy on the other end, you could easily round up your starting square size to be 8” and just square up to the 3”. To be honest, depending on how many I’m doing I might just do that. Plus – it’s less headache for me than trying to cut the .75… That will likely end badly for me midway through cutting my strips (and subsequent squares) which would end with fabric unusable in this way.

Grr.

So – on to the actual instruction portion. For this method, you’re going to place your beginning squares pretty sides together (sorry – I have a friend who says this and now that’s all I hear in my head 😊 and mark a diagonal line from one corner to its opposite, and repeat the same thing on the other side. This will result in an X on your fabric.

From there, you need to sew a quarter inch from that line on both sides, for a total of 4 seams which will intersect at the middle.

After you have sewn your seams, you will make two straight cuts in the middle of your square – I used an 8” square to start with so my cuts will be at the 4” mark vertically and horizontally.

After you’ve gotten your four squares, you will now cut your HSTs apart by cutting on the original diagonal line. This will give you 8 HSTs all with very little pain and agony. Now- if you have chosen to round up, you will need to square the HST up to the correct size. I recommend doing this prior to pressing using a strip ruler. There are a few options available, but I like the Cozy Quilt version. I would recommend that whatever ruler you use that you use the same one for the whole project – they aren’t all precisely the same. Better to be consistent than precise – your project may not end up like the pattern but if you’re true to your own measurements you should end up ok.

You can probably see why I said lots of HSTs for this one. If you have a need for 16 HSTs (say for a block of the month that is HST based) and you don’t want to have a bunch of fabric left, this might not be the way to go. It would take 2 7.75” squares of two different fabrics and you would then have a 26” by 8” strip of fabric left.

If you had hundreds to do, this would like be my preferred method.

4 At a Time

The four at a time method is really good when you need fewer HSTs and you don’t want to purchase a wider cut of fabric. The math on this really isn’t complicated – take your desired finished HST size, X, and multiply it by 2, then add 0.5 for your seam allowances. Example – I want to end up with 2” HSTs in my blocks – so my math is as follows:

Y=2*2 + 0.5 becomes Y=4 + 0.5 which then becomes Y= 4.5

I am going to start with two 4.5” squares for my 2” finished HSTs. Here again – if you prefer to up the size of your starting blocks to allow for any cutting errors and then square your HSTs up, please do so.

I am starting with the 4.5” squares – put them pretty sides together and sew a quarter inch seam around the entire square.

You will then make two diagonal cuts to form 4 HSTs. If you have a rotating cutting mat this is a great time to use it. If not, I don’t make the second cut in one turn – I match my ruler with the point and make sure that it is straight with the edge of the triangle and then cut (so essentially three cuts with each set) to avoid them moving apart. Or cutting my fingers.

That hurts.

2 At a Time

So this is getting into the more tedious arena. I don’t dislike this method but I am likely to only it in cases where I just need a couple of HSTs or I am working with scraps. I would honestly prefer to do at least four at a time, but here goes.  You are essentially going to go with a square that is 1 inch larger than your desired finished HST.

So for a 3” finished HST, start with two 4” squares. Place them pretty sides together and mark one diagonal line – stitching a quarter inch seam on either side of that line.

Then, cut on the line you marked and square up your HSTs if need be and you’re all set!

You can see why you might stick with this method for smaller projects – perfect for scrap busting (or organizing if you’re interested in having HSTs at the ready for a scrap project) or whatever.

If you’re interested in thinking outside the box with your HSTs, check out my tutorial inspired by being stuck at home stash busting. Full disclosure – I didn’t use this method when I made the quilt only because I started out intending something different. It would be super easy to modify the instructions to do it this way though – check it out here.

Strip Method Using a Ruler

Pros for this technique are strips are easy to deal with and you still get to make a lot with less headache.

Cons are the math gets crazy with this one and you need to either be comfortable using your basic square ruler or you need to purchase a strip ruler.

As I mentioned, the math is crazy for this method and while I may go in depth on this technique later, if you’re interested in a size other than what I’m giving as an example I would encourage you to seek out some different tutorials.

For the purposes of this post, I’m starting with 3.5” strips. Pretty sides together, sew a quarter inch seam down each side of the strip set, forming a tube.

Laying the tube flat, place your ruler with the 3” marking on your seam on one side of the tube. Cut the end off and then make one cut on the other side.

Flip the ruler around to the other side, and lining the 3” marking with the opposite seam and the edge of the ruler with the left side, make one cut on the right side.

Continue in this manner until you run out of complete HSTs. When done with a more appropriate size strip, you may have a couple with stitches in the top point- just remove the thread. Theoretically you won’t need to square these up at all, so press them open. Check to be sure, but they should be good to go.

Thangles

Ok- pros for this method are accuracy, they come in packs that allow you to make a lot of them, and they use strips.

Cons are you have different sizes for whatever size your project calls for and you have to tear the paper off.

Thangles come in 15 sizes from 1/2 “ to 6”. They use strips a half inch wider than the finished size of Thangle, so for a 2” Thangle, your strips will be 2.5”, though I prefer giving myself a bit of wiggle room so my strips here are 3″.

You place your two fabric strips pretty sides together and pin on the desired number of Thangles (they come 6 to a strip, so if you need 10 just cut a set of two off and use a full strip plus 4 more).

Stitch along the marked dotted stitching lines – I tend to ‘jog’ along the edge to get to the next stitching line to make it easier on myself.

Once you’re all stitched, line your ruler up with the edge of the long side and trim to the paper. Repeat on the other side, and on the ends.

Once that’s complete, just cut along the solid cutting lines. Press to set your seams then fold your paper and press open, as this will help you tear the paper a little easier.

Tear off the paper and you’re good to go with your HSTs for your project.

Accuquilt

The last and final method I’m going to cover (as I said, there are more) is the Accuquilt. I am going to start with my view of the pros and cons:

Pros – accurate cutting, excellent for people who might have difficulty cutting for any reason, cuts off your dog ears at the beginning, and I’m sure other folks can find others.

Cons – sewing on the bias, fabric waste, still one at a time and you have to buy the cutter and the die.

With that said – I do have a GO Baby cutter and I have used the cutter to cut HSTs. I do not prefer this method as I definitely tend to tug my fabric as I sew, which means sewing on the bias like that is something I try to avoid.

It is, however, super easy and if you have scraps that you want to make into HSTs – it’s a great way to make use of them. Especially if you don’t have enough to make a square for multiple HSTs at a time! You can precut the shapes and just stitch when you’re ready to put something together.

I am, unfortunately, without photos for this particular technique as I haven’t purchased the die for the HSTs. I used that in a class I took and decided that it wasn’t one I was going to invest in. It is super easy though, and if you’re interested please check them out. You can cut up to 6 layers of fabric at a time which makes it go super quick. Check out my post Tending Grandma P’s Flower Garden for some info on the Accuquilt, which I definitely use for cutting hexies for English paper piecing.

Well, that’s about it – finally! That was definitely a marathon round up but hopefully you found something useful.

Do you have a favorite method for HSTs? What is it and why do you like it?

Let’s get quilting!

Amanda