HSTs! Ready to begin working on the blocks? I thought so! Before we can actually begin thinking about constructing the blocks, we need to make some of the components of them, Half-Square Triangles (HST). Honestly, the most dreaded aspect of piecing for me is HST! So, you'd think I'd steer clear of them, wouldn't you? I just can't, though, because they're so versatile! Therefore, we're going to make all of them needed in the body of the quilt and get it over with!

November 20, 2001

Directions for making HST are given on my HST Tutorial page, so if you don't have a preferred method of making them, you can refer to that page. My directions are simple and fast, plus they allow you some ease so that your points are pointy and your squares are square.

Measurements are provided below for the number of HST you need, specific to the size of quilt you are making, whether small, medium, or large. These measurements are given in table form and immediately preceding the table is a description of how the table works and then an example of how to read the table is given following the table.

As you read through the directions and look at the table, before making the HST (which is highly recommended), please keep in mind that the entire set of measurements is based upon the method I use for making HST, given in the HST Tutorial. If using a different method, simply refer to the finished size of HST that you should have (given in the very last column) and go from there.

Here is some helpful information in reading the table below:

1. The L/D HST is one that uses the light fabric in combination with the dark and looks like this when finished:
   
2. The D/M HST is one that uses the dark fabric in combination with the medium and looks like this when finished:
   
3. The SIZE in the first column is one that you should have already decided upon. The '1' after the size indicates that this is using a 3.5" fussy cut and a '2' after the size indicates that this is using a 4.5" fussy cut. Examples: Small 1 means that you are making a small quilt using the 3.5" fussy cuts. Large 2 means that you are making a large quilt using the 4.5" fussy cuts.
4. The # of Fussy Cuts is how many you should already have cut, depending on the size you are making (small, medium, or large).
5. The # of L/D HST column is the number of HST you should end up with at the end of this session using the light (L) and the dark (D) fabrics. In other words, this is how many you should have of this when finished:
   
6. The # of D/M HST column is the number of HST you should end up with at the end of this session using the dark (D) and the medium (M) fabrics. Simply put, this is how many you should have of this when finished:
   
7. The CUT TO THIS SIZE column tells you the size of squares you are going to be cutting in this set of instructions, in order to make the HST needed.
8. The L, D, and M columns tell you how many squares to cut of each fabric, using the size given in the CUT TO THIS SIZE column.
9. The last column, TRIM TO THIS SIZE, is the size that you should trim/square up your HST to after you finish making them. You should have plenty of trimming room with the dimensions I had you cut the squares out to.

Example in reading the above table:

Let's say that you are making the 3.5" small quilt. Here's the information that the table above gives you for this example:

1. You need 13 fussy cuts (which you should already have from the last lesson). - Given in column 2

2. You need 52 HST that are a combination of the L/D fabrics (which is what you will end up with at the end of this session). - Given in column 3

3. You need 52 HST that are a combination of the D/M fabrics (which is what you will end up with at the end of this session). - Given in column 4

4. You need to cut all of the squares used to make the HST this size, which is 4.5" x 4.5" (1" larger than your fussy cut measurement). This is a tad bit generous, so that you have room to trim and square up at the end. - Given in column 5

5. You need to cut 26 light fabric squares, 4.5" x 4.5" (Again, 1" larger than your fussy cut size). - Given in column 6

6. You need to cut 52 dark fabric squares, 4.5" x 4.5". - Given in column 7

7. You need to cut 26 medium fabric squares, 4.5" x 4.5". - Given in column 8

8. After making the HST, trim them (or square them up) to 3.5" x 3.5" (the same size as the fussy cuts). - Given in column 9

Sewing Tips:

1. Use a scant 1/4" seam allowance.

2. Press HST seams to the darkest fabric.

I've tried to compact this as much as possible, while trying to keep it simple. If you are confused, please e-mail me, or feel free to ask a question on the MQ thread on the Quilting Passion forum (membership is free). The discussion of this MQ is moving right along on the forum!

Stay tuned for the piecing of the blocks in the next segment!