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Box Grid Method for Making HST's
When you have a lot of half square triangles (HST’s) to make, a quick, accurate method is by using a box grid.The following instructions will make 40 2½" HST’s. If you want to use these directions for a different size HST’s, just make your grid 1/2" larger than the size of HST’s you need. If you need 3" HST’s, make your grid lines 3½" apart.
- Cut a piece of light colored fabric and a piece of dark colored fabric
13" x 16". Press them together, with RIGHT sides facing each
other.
- On the WRONG side of the light colored fabric, using a sharp pencil or a
fine-point marker, draw a grid of 20 3" squares, as shown in Diagram A.
There will be 1/2" of fabric all around the grid.
Diagram A
- Following the dashed lines on Diagram B, draw diagonal lines through the
squares.
Diagram B
- For this step, I like to use a different color of pencil, or a
water-soluble blue marker. Just be sure that whatever you use for this step
does not show through the fabric, or that it will wash out. Mark lines
1/4" away from the diagonal lines you just marked. These lines are shown in
red and blue in Diagram B.
- Pin the two pieces of fabric together in the squares and around the edges.
- Starting at the open end of either the red or blue line (at the left in
Diagram B), sew on the line. Continue sewing in a straight line until you
get to the end, then turn the corner and continue in the same manner. You will
be able to sew through the whole grid and come back out on the same end of
the fabric, at the other open end of the line.
- Repeat step 6 on the other line (red or blue).
- Press the whole thing.
- Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut first on the horizontal and
vertical grid lines. You will have 20 squares. Now cut on the diagonal line
across each square, between the two lines of sewing.
- Press the seams according to their placement in your block. Sometimes you
will want the seams to go towards the dark fabric, and other times towards
the light fabric, depending on which way produces less bulk. If you plan the
pressing of your seams in advance, it will make the block easier to put
together.
- Now you need to square all of these units. (They must be pressed first!) Using a small, square rotary
ruler, place the corner of the ruler at the corner of the HST. Line up the
45 degree angle line on the ruler with the diagonal seam line down the
middle of the square. Slide the point of the ruler down the diagonal line
slightly, if necessary, to square the top and side. (Diagram A) Turn the HST around and
do the same thing with the other two sides, trimming it to exactly 2
1/2" (or whatever size you are making). (Diagram B) Make sure that the 45 degree line of the ruler is always lined up
with the diagonal seam on the block, or your points will not end up in the
corners of the unit when they are sewn together!
Note: I use a product on my rotary ruler that clings to the plastic without being sticky to mark the size I want the final square to be. It makes it very easy to line up. For the second cut, the edge of the "tape" snugs up against the side of the fabric.
Diagram A Diagram B