A quilt made of squares and rectangles is easy to create. However, when you divide the squares and rectangles, there are many possibilities.

There have been many unique and creative ways to sew these triangles for your quilt. The half-square triangle method I have listed below is not only fast and easy but also accurate.  This method involves making strips of fabric. You sew them into a unit. Then, you cut segments from the unit. Finally, you cut the segments into squares.  Your quilt will have squares that are not distorted because the pressing is done prior to cutting the squares.

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Follow these instructions to make the square for your next quilt:

  • Layer 2 contrasting fabrics with right sides facing up.  Align the 45° angle of your ruler with the bottom edge of the lower left corner.  Cut along the right edge of the ruler.
  •  Cut bias strips in the width for the quilt that you are making.  Continue to cut parallel to the first cut.
  • Cut the bias strips from the entire piece of quilt fabric.
  • Arrange the bias strips into 2 units.  Alternate the colors in each unit. The bottom left corner of each unit should be a different color.
  • Sew the strips with right sides together using a ¼” seam allowance.
  • Press the seam allowances toward the darker color.
  • Place the diagonal line of the ruler on one of the middle seam lines of the unit.  
  • Align a long cutting ruler, just covering the uneven ends of the strip unit. This trims the edge of one side of the squares. 
  • Retrim the edge of the unit before cutting each segment.
  • Cut the segment ½” larger than the finished square.
  • Trim the edge of the unit again because the bias seams have a tendency to shift.  You must retrim the edge of the unit before cutting each segment.
  • Continue cutting segments until you have cut the entire segment.
  • To cut the squares, position the edge of the diagonal line on the seam line.  Cut on the right-hand side of the ruler.
  • Continue to cut squares across the segment, positioning the ruler on the diagonal line.
  • Turn the mat around and place all the right-hand cuts on the left. 
  • Put the ruler on the edge of the fabric. Align the diagonal lines with the seam line. Then, cut the pieces into perfect squares for your quilt.

SEW wonderful to make perfect half-square triangles just ready for your quilt.

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