My pattern, Town Square, uses exclusively Half Square Triangle (or HST) units. Some people love HSTs, and some people really need a short cut! Since my pattern uses 432-720 HSTs (depending on the size you're making) my pattern assumes you are using Triangles on a Roll paper to complete your quilt. I have found this is one of my favorite methods when you are making hundreds of HSTs of the same size.
Watch my tutorial on how to use Triangles on a Roll here.
However, I know some people just want a traditional way of making their blocks, without added notions, so I have decided to write this post to help you make your HSTs using the "8 at a time" method.
Fabric Requirements:
You will need an additional 1/4 yard of all fabrics, A-D.
Cutting:
Following the instructions in the pattern, cut the same number of WOF strips from Fabrics A-D plus one additional strip, but instead of 6 1/2" wide, make them 6 1/4" wide.
Subcut all the strips into 6 1/4" squares. You should be able to get 6 squares out of each strip.
In total you will need:
| Throw | Twin |
| (54) Fabric A 6 1/4" Squares | (90) Fabric A 6 1/4" Squares |
| (18) Fabric B 6 1/4" Squares | (30) Fabric B 6 1/4" Squares |
| (30) Fabric C 6 1/4" Squares | (50) Fabric C 6 1/4" Squares |
| (6) Fabric D 6 1/4" Squares | (10) Fabric D 6 1/4" Squares |
Sewing:
1. Take a background square and draw two diagonal lines on the wrong side of the fabric, creating an "x". Put it right sides together with a colored square.
2. Sew 1/4" on either side of both lines.
3. Next you will cut your square in half both ways (3 1/8" is the center), and you'll cut on both diagonal lines. I prefer doing this step on a rotating cutting mat so I don't need to move my square as I cut it.
4. Take each HST, press the seam toward the colored side. True your HST so it measures 2 1/2". I like to use a Bloc-Loc ruler to complete this step. If you don't know how to use a Bloc-Loc ruler, you can watch my tutorial here.
In total you need the same number of HSTs as laid out in the pattern.