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Sawtooth Starshine Tutorial #3: HALF-SQUARE-TRIANGLES

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Almost all of my patterns, and a lot of other quilt patterns, include a block called Half-Square-Triangles or HSTs. There are many different ways to make these blocks, and when I am writing patterns, I choose the method that makes the most sense for size and amount of HSTs that we will need to make.

In my Sawtooth Starshine Quilt, I guide you through both the 2-at-a-time method and 8-at-a-time method.

If you’re following along with my tutorials in making your own Sawtooth Starshine Quilt (pattern found here), you should have already planned/purchased your fabric and cut your fabric. Check out my past tutorials if you would like to get caught up! #1 Fabric Planning #2 Cutting

Half-Square-TRiANGLES:

2-at-a-time METHOD

As you’re working through the Sawtooth Starshine Quilt pattern, after cutting the instructions lead you to making HSTs using the 2-at-a-time method. Many quilt patterns follow this method and I am going to show you each step in detail.

  1. Place fabric squares designated in the pattern Right Sides Together (RST).
Two fabric squares laid out on a cutting mat, one beige and one orange, with a grid pattern visible beneath them.
My two square pieces of fabric to make 2-at-a-time HSTS as indicated by the pattern
A hand holding a folded fabric square, revealing two different colored fabric layers, set on a grid ruler for sewing preparation.
Placed together, if it was patterned fabric they would need to be placed “right sides together” (RST) and the “back” of the fabrics would be facing outward.
A square piece of fabric placed on a cutting mat marked with a grid for sewing and quilting instructions.

2. Mark line from corner to corner diagonally. I used a water soluble fabric marker similar to these. I like using these because they are easy to see as you are marking and sewing, and they. wash out of the fabric easily with water when you’re done. I wash my quilts in the washing machine when I complete them, and the marker washes away then.

A fabric square with a diagonal line marked, accompanied by a blue fabric marker, placed on a cutting mat with grid lines.

3. Pin the two pieces of fabric together.

A squarish piece of fabric with a diagonal marking, two pins attached, and a blue water-soluble fabric marker placed on a cutting mat with grid lines.

4. Sew a 1/4″ seam on both sides of the line.

Sewing machine with needle positioned over pinned fabric pieces marked with a diagonal line for stitching Half-Square Triangles.
Sewing machine foot positioned over pinned fabric pieces, with a marked line guiding the stitching.
A square of fabric with two diagonal lines marked, placed on a grid cutting mat, indicating preparation for making Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) in quilting.

5. Cut on the line. Now you have two Half-Square-Triangles!

Two Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) displayed on a cutting mat with a grid pattern.
Two Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) made from orange and cream fabric, positioned over a cutting mat with grids.

6. Press seams open. I always press the seam side open then flip it over and give the other side a good press. It is always important when quilting that your seams are as flat as possible.

A hand holding a purple iron over two Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) made of orange and cream fabric, resting on a gray surface.
An iron is being used to press two Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) made of orange and white fabric, placed on a gray pressing surface.

7. Trim the HSTs according to the size the pattern says. Be sure to align the center seam with the diagonal line on your ruler. I usually trim the right and top sides then flip the HST and trim the right and top sides again for all 4 sides to be trimmed.

A hand holding a quilting ruler on a cutting mat with grid lines, showing a diagonal measurement on fabric for making Half-Square-Triangles.

Now you have created 2 perfect HSTs that are ready for the next step in your pattern!

Two Half-Square-Triangle (HST) quilt blocks on a grid cutting mat, featuring brown and cream fabric.

8-at-a-time METHOD:

Another method used in my Sawtooth Starshine pattern is the 8-at-a-time method. I typically use this method for HSTs needed that are on the smaller side. It is probably my favorite method to use to make HSTs!

  1. Place fabric squares designated in the pattern Right Sides Together (RST).
Two fabric squares, one red and one light pink, placed Right Sides Together on a cutting mat with a grid pattern.
A hand holding a folded pink fabric square over a red fabric square, placed on a grid cutting mat.
A square piece of light pink fabric placed on a grid cutting mat marked with measurement lines.

2. Mark lines from corner to corner diagonally, as well as 2 perpendicular lines through the middle from side to side. I used a water soluble fabric marker similar to these. I like using these because they are easy to see as you are marking and sewing, and they. wash out of the fabric easily with water when you’re done. I wash my quilts in the washing machine when I complete them, and the marker washes away then.

A cutting mat with a pink fabric square, a ruler positioned diagonally on the square, a rotary cutter, and a water-soluble fabric marker, all prepared for marking and cutting Half-Square Triangles.
A piece of fabric with marked diagonal lines for sewing Half-Square Triangles, placed on a cutting mat with a ruler and a pen nearby.

3. Sew a 1/4″ seam on each side of the diagonal lines. (Do not sew along the perpendicular lines.)

Fabric square marked with diagonal lines for creating Half-Square Triangles, placed on a cutting mat with grid lines.

4. Cut on each of the lines. Now you’ve made 8 HSTs!

Six Half-Square-Triangles (HSTs) arranged on a cutting mat, showing sewing lines for trimming and piecing.
A flat layout of fabric pieces cut for Half-Square-Triangle blocks, with some pieces showing diagonal markings and others slightly overlapping.

6. Press seams open. I always press the seam side open then flip it over and give the other side a good press. It is always important when quilting that your seams are as flat as possible.

An iron resting on two half-square triangle fabric pieces in shades of pink and red on a gray ironing surface.
An ironing setup with a pink iron pressing two fabric squares, one light and one dark, on a gray surface.

Repeat to press all HSTs open.

Eight completed Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) arranged in a grid, featuring pink and deep red fabric pieces with diagonal seams visible.

7. Trim the HSTs according to the size the pattern says. Be sure to align the center seam with the diagonal line on your ruler. I usually trim the right and top sides then flip the HST and trim the right and top sides again for all 4 sides to be trimmed.

A quilting ruler with markings placed over a fabric square for cutting Half-Square-Triangles, alongside a rotary cutter on a grid cutting mat.

Now you have created 8 perfect HSTs!

Eight Half-Square Triangle (HST) quilt blocks arranged in a grid, featuring a red and pink fabric design, on a cutting mat with measurement markings.

I hope you learned something new about making HSTs and that this tutorial is helping you make your Sawtooth Starshine quilt! In the next tutorial, I will be showing you how to make Flying Geese blocks using the 4-at-a-time method!

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