8 at a time 2" Half Square Triangles

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There are many different ways to make half square triangles (HSTs). Some use special tools, and some do not. This is my favourite 'no special tools' required method.

For 2" HSTs (that's trimmed size, not the size they will be after sewn into your quilt), start with 2 squares that are 5 1/4".

Draw 2 diagonal lines on the back of one of your pieces of fabric. These are your cut lines, so use whatever you want to draw these lines.

Place your 2 pieces of fabric right sides together, and then sew scant quarter inch seams on EACH side of both lines.

All the sewing is done. Now you have to cut and trim. If you have a rotary cutting mat, now is the time to use it. If not, place your square on the bottom corner or your cutting surface so that you can access from the side and the front. Slant it like in my photo.
Your first 2 cuts will cut the square into 4 smaller squares, and won't use your drawn lines. Instead, line your ruler up so that it touches 2 of the places where your stitch lines join. To keep everything straight, also line the top of the square with a line on your ruler. Carefully make that cut.
Next move to the side of your cutting table, and without moving your square, cut between the other 2 stitch lines in the same way.
You will now have 4 same size squares. Don't separate them! Now cut on both drawn lines.


Now you can separate your pieces. You have your 8 half square traingles!
Iron them open, and get ready to trim.

There are many methods and tools you can use to trim half square triangles. If you make a lot of them, I'd suggest you invest in a tool. I have the Bloc Loc, and I wouldn't be without it. However, you can trim without a special tool. One way is to use a ruler with inch markings and a diagonal line.

Place your half square triangle in under the ruler so that the seam is lined up perfectly with the ruler's diagonal line, at the top (or bottom if you prefer) of the ruler. If two of the lines on your HST make a perfect 90 degree angle, line your 2 inch markings up on those bottom and left edges.


Now trim the outside top and right pieces off.



The remaining HST will be exactly 2", and the only thing left to trim is the extra tail.


If your HST didn't have a perfect 90 degree angle on the sides, then place it under the diagonal line as above, but line it up so that the bottom and left edges are more than 2".


Then trim the top and right sides, and turn your HST so that the opposite triangle is up (the green for me)

Now line it up exactly with the 2" marks on the bottom and left, and trim the top and right again as above.


Perfect!

Now I'm going to trim the rest of mine with my Bloc Loc!


Done!

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