Half Square Triangles Tutorials and Patterns

I’ve made a lot of quilts from half square triangles in the last few years.

Half Square Triangles (HSTs) are exactly what they sound like. Take a square, and slice it in half from corner to corner to create two triangles. That’s a Half Square Triangle! Pair them up, sew them back together along that diagonal line, and you’ve got an adorable building block for making a quilt.

Actually, these little triangle squares are even easier to make than that! Sewing on the bias (the diagonal edge) is tough, because the fabric has more stretch to it.

But, HSTs can be made even before the original square is cut in half.

Say what!?!?

Draw a line from corner to corner on the lighter of the two squares. Pair the squares, right sides together. Sew ¼” from the line you drew. The flip the square around and sew ¼” from the line on the other side. Cut the square apart on the line, press towards the darker fabric and voila! Two HSTs!

If you are looking for more details on how to make a half square triangle, here is a quick tutorial.

You can make an entire quilt with nothing but HSTs! Every photo links directly to a tutorial that will walk you through step by step directions to make that quilt.

Mint and Navy Half Square Triangle Quilt

Half Square Triangle Pillow Case

Snail’s Trail Quilt

Herringbone Baby Quilt

Half square triangles can also be combined with other units (squares, rectangles, strips, etc.) to create amazing quilts! Again, each photo will link you directly to a tutorial or pattern to make the quilt shown.

Blitz Quilt Pattern

Quiltville Scrappy Mystery Quilt

Checkered Stars Quilt Pattern

Scrappy Baby Quilt

Light and Bright Half Square Triangles

Some quilt patterns lead to leftover HSTs from the scraps of the original quilt. Even when they are teeny, tiny, save them to use in a future scrappy quilt.