Beginner's Quilt Class 4

Half Square Triangles
1. There are many ways to make Half Square Triangles or HSTs for short. This is just one way.
The formula to remember here is the finished size of the unit + 7/8 inch. This is the smallest size you
want to cut your two squares of fabric. I always cut bigger ( 1 inch to 1 1/8 inch plus the finished size)
because you can always trim but you can't add fabric if anything is wonky. ( and I promise you things
will go wonky every so often) .
So for the Shoo fly blocks in this quilt you will need 16 HSTs that measure 4 inches
finished. (remember finished means what they will measure when the block is
complete, from seam line to seam line.) In the cutting instructions you cut 8 – 5 1/8
inch background squares and 8 – 5 1/8 inch squares of fabric C for the Shoo fly
block. Those are what you will use. (green is fabric C , white is fabric A the
background). You get 2 HSTs from each set of squares.
2. Take the Fabric A squares (or the fabric with the lightest back side)
and you will either draw one or two lines. You can draw one line
from corner to corner diagonally. Or two lines ¼ from the center
diagonal line using a ruler or a tool like the one shown.










3. Place the Fabric C squares right sides up and lay the fabric A squares
right side down on top of B. In other words Right sides facing. Double
check this because I've ripped apart squares when I've discovered that
some how a square was facing the wrong way.
4. Now we stitch. If you drew just one line you will sew ¼ inch away from
your line on both sides of that line. If you drew 2 lines sew on both lines.
5. Cut between the stitching lines and press towards the darker fabric.

6. You now have 2 Half Square Triangles. Use a ruler to trim them to the unfinished size of 4 ½ inches.
Make sure the seam line splits the square in half. Most rulers have a diagonal line use that to line up
your squares.