The half-square triangle allows you to create a variety of interesting designs. To create the triangle, start with 6 inch squares. Place a dark fabric on a light fabric (right sides together), and draw a pencil line along the diagonal. That line will guide your sewing (you don’t sew right on it). Starting at one corner, sew a seam that is ¼ inch from the line. Do this on both sides of the line.
Next, cut the fabric on the pencil line. Iron the seam toward the dark fabric.
The result should be a square, with one light triangle and one dark.
You will need 18 6-inch squares (9 light and 9 dark) to yield 36 half-triangle squares.
Arrange your squares into a design that is six across and six down. You can create several different designs based on how you orient the light and dark triangles. Here are two examples:
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Add a border (cut 3 inch strips) to make it 36 x 36 inches.
Next, select backing and batting, pin the layers together, quilt the top, and sew on the binding.
Instructions by Martha Arterberry Back to top