Half Square Triangles 2.0..... The Saga Continues!

I hope you had a chance to try the previous HST tutorials....

As I said...

 There are a ton of ways to do HST's. 

It worth a try to see how your brain handles 

and 

likes (or dislikes)the process of each way! 

Another way I use Press and Seal in my quilting world.....

I wrap my trays or design boards(small ones) with it

It makes these trays of components easy to stay organized !

Perfect to take them with you, if you are going to retreat or YUMA, AZ!

This next way of HST's is great if you have smaller pieces or strips of fabric.  

If you are more of a Strip quilter, 

this next method might be right up your alley!

I like this version because they are all 2" HSTs with the dog ears already cut off

I cut my strips - 2" by WOF(or whatever length)

One dark and one light - right sides together. 

Sew down each side of the strips.

Press and starch before cutting! 

Place your ruler(any size) on the strip on a 45 degree angle

Line up the stitch line with the 2" line on each side

(Blue line is the stitch line)

Cut on either side of your ruler....

You can flip your ruler to the top 

or

continue on from the bottom

The first cut is waste 

I love that the dog ears are already nipped off

It's a great way to use up any strips of fabric you have in the project as well.

Perfect little HST's

Blossom Heart Quilts has a great blog post on strip HST's

This second example also eliminates the dog ears as well

You will need a dark and a light 2.5" square

Stack right sides together and stitch on all four sides. 

Cut diagonally corner to corner 

and

 each corner can be nipped off

Voila!! 

Check out this video for 4 HST's at a time! 

HERE

So many options....so many HST's

How many have you made so far??

Christa 

Second Story Quilting On Etsy

 

1416 ... Not the Year.....HST’S

I can  not tell a lie...

There are ALOT of HST's

1416 - 1.5"  Half square triangles to be exact.

I am not a huge fan of trimming

 but

 it sure does make a difference in the final construction. 

STEP 1

Treat yourself right and change your blade...

Your body and mind will thank you. 

Trust me. 

It's a simple joy in quilting. 

Some tools of the trades that can make this process easier....

 Blocloc Rulers 

Check them out here on how to use.... 

 For small squaring, I really love my rotating mat

Insert a really good Netflix serries here......

You can also use a regular ruler so no pressure. 

(oh my..... I really need to clean my mat)

 

You will simply line the 45 degree line up to the center of the HST 

and

square to 2" x 2"

There are so many ways to eat this elephant! 

Let's start with MY favorite way to do them. 

16 HST's at a time. 

You will need

 1 - Light 6.5"x 6.5" square

1- Dark 6.5" x 6.5" square

(89 light and 89 Dark squares = 1416 HST's)

I like to stack them right sides together

Then mark the half way line, vertical and horizontal with a pencil

on the light square

I do quite a few pairs at the same time 

to 

take to the sewing machine. 

I am a big chain piecer fan.

I stitch down each side on the block....

(regular 1/4" seam)

As well as both sides of the middle(blue) lines.

These blue lines are your stitching lines. 

At this point, I like to starch and press these before cutting apart. 

Next, cut the two centers lines 

as well as

 diagonally corner to corner.

I like to clip off my dog ears

 (the green lines)

 before

cutting each square into 4 HST's.

This yields 16 HST's

Press open the HST's toward the dark side.

Here's a great video demonstrating this technique.

Just to give you an idea of how many different ways there are to do HST's...

Check out this video by Karen of  Just Get It Done Quilts

Karen is a Canadian Quilt who always has great tips and tricks in the quilting world.

This will get you started on those Half Square triangles. 

We will try a few techniques if you are interested in learning a few new ways! 

If you are looking to join us, 

get your kit HERE

Till next week,  

Christa 

2SQ

www.secondstoryquilting.ca

Spinning Wheels QAL- Wonky Stars

 Thank you so  much for joining the QAL!

We are going to make 1416 - 1.5"(finished) Half square triangles

and  

9 Wonky Stars!

Each block will be 24.5" block!

YOU CAN DO THIS, PEEPS!

I hope you have had time to play with your fabrics! 

Weather you are doing scrappy or planned, it will be beautiful.

I hope you learn some new things along the way! 

If you choose to follow that pattern - More power to you!! 

If you are following along using your own stash, 

I can't wait to see it as well! 

This is the perfect opportunity to explore different ways to make HSTS.

So hold off cutting up all your fabrics! 

There is a ton of fabrics so lots of choices! 

I thought we should start with the The WONKY STAR

If you have ever done a Buggy Barn Pattern, 

you'll be fine! 

But if you haven't.... 

get ready for a little ride! 

Just kidding!!

 It's definitely not your tradition block making techniques! 

So let's get started!! 

Pick your favorite 9 fabrics to make your stars with some contrast.

You will need 9 - 10.5" squares. 

I used only the darks as my selections

 but

 you can use lights as well. 

Just try to get some good contrast!

Each Star will have 3 different fabrics.

The center, the star points and the background will each be one color. 

I also like to spray starch my fabrics as there is a lot of bias in all these blocks.

Using the 6" wonky star template, trace onto your freezer paper or Press and Seal.

I like to use Press and Seal a lot in my quilting.

I use it to wrap my pieces in trays till I am ready to assemble. 

It is see through and sticks again and again.

Put a piece of Press and Seal on your 6.5' template and trace. 

Make sure to exaggerate the dots on the pattern as they are references.

Those will guide you in sewing these pieces back together. 

Layer your nine squares on top of each other with the traced template on top.

Cut into sections - D, C, B then A.

We will start with section A.

Cut that section into separate pieces. 

I have a few of these stacking trays from the dollar store

 which I use to keep pieces organizes.

Paper plates stacked work very well, too.

A rotating cutting mat can be really handy for this project, too!

(but not necessary)

I also love to chain piece my blocks. 

I sewed all A1 and A2 together 

and

 pressed the seams as per instructions, 

using spray starch just to keep things straight

then A3...then A4

Do not panic when pieces don't line up like you think they should.

You will need to square up as you go with each section. 

It seems wrong but just push through....it will work out.

Using the dots to line up your sections as you add each section. 

Continue to do each section and add on...

Complete 9 Wonky Stars. 

I used my 6.5" square ruler, 

making sure to have at least 1/4' seam away from each point on the star.

8 to go....

And voila.....

Ok...

maybe a few dates with Jack the Ripper...

Now back to regular quilt block construction!  

If you have any questions or concerns, 

get a hold of me....I'll talk you off the wall!! lol

You can do this!

If you are interested in joining us,

 get your kit HERE

Christa 

 

Spinning Wheel Quilt Along 2026

 I have loved this quilt for a whole year now! 

It took me 6 months to find the exact fabrics for making it. 

This pattern and fabrics are by Janet Nesbitt of One Sister.

28 pieces of Simply Charming fabrics

14 pieces of Linen Closet fabrics

Some of my favorite tools we will use are these. 

I can't live without these! 

I love Quilters Select rulers and cutting boards.

The rulers are non slip. 

Any or all the sizes are fabulous. 

I recently found a 2 1/2 x 6 1/2"

(recommended by Tula Pink)

I LOOOVE it! 

My favorite scissors are Kaye Buckley 5" serrated. 

Any brand of rotary cutter!

You all know my fav is the 18mm 

but

when cutting so many layers, I use the 45mm

The key is a NEW BLADE.

Treat yourself right...change it often. 

There is nothing sweeter than a sharp blade. 

Such a simple joy in the art of quilting. 

It saves your arm, wrist and hands. 

JUST DO IT!! 

Quilters ask me all the time...

'What tools should I buy?'

ME:

'The best tools you can afford at the time.'

There will be a lot of cutting... I can not lie.

1416 Half Square Triangles 

and

 9 wonky Stars that will make you question your sanity.

Together, 

we will explore methods of HST(half square triangles)

There are so many ways to eat this elephant.

2, 4, 8, 16, 32 at a time!

And in the end, you will be so proud of yourself! 

I plan to start this fun the first week of January 2026.

There are a few quilters who still need a bit of time. 

If you choose to start before...start your engines! 

If you want to try new techniques don't cut up your fabric yet! 

There are faster ways! 

If you have come to the party late....there is still time. 

If you want to use your own fabric, 

we will have books available as well.

Thanks for tagging along! 

Would love if you could subscribe to the blog. 

(bottom of the page... it's safe... and you can always unsubscribe if I bore you)

The new posts will automatically come to your inbox. 

ASK me ANYTHING! 

I am not an expert but I will sure try to help you. 

Now start checking out your fabrics! 

See you in a week or two! 

You can get your kit on our Etsy Shop 

Spinning Wheels Quilt Kit

Christa