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"Grid-Pieced Half-Square Triangles"


Quick piecing methods for constructing half-square triangles certainly make quilting life so much easier. But when you have "hundreds" of half-square triangle units to make, it's worth finding a quicker way! Fortunately, this super fast "quick-piecing" technique was developed my Mary Ellen Hopkins.


HOW TO MAKE "GRID-PIECED" HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE UNITS

The grid-pieced method allows you to make multiple half-square triangle units in much less time.  There are two grid-pieced methods for you to choose. One involves marking a grid on your fabric, the other uses gridded paper. Gridded paper is quicker and more precise but also more expensive.

Method 1 -- Gridded Fabric:  This method involves marking a grid on the wrong side of one of the fabrics that you'll be using in your half-square triangles.  

  • First, you need to "calculate" the number of triangles you require for your project and determine the size of your starting squares and grid size. If you need help here, read the section on calculating measurements for half-square triangles.
  • Your grid size will vary depending on how many triangles you need.
  • Cut two pieces of fabric to the specified size and place them with right sides together, edges matching and light-colored fabric on top.
  • Use a ruler and pencil to mark a grid as shown in the diagrams below.


STEP ONE: Mark out a 3 x 4 grid of squares the size you require. Allow some extra fabric on each edge of the grid.


STEP 2: Draw in the "diagonal" cutting lines as shown below.


STEP 3: Sew a 1/4" seam on BOTH SIDES of the cutting lines. Follow the red sewing lines in the diagram below and you'll be able to stitch them all in one continuous run.


STEP 4: Using your rotary cutter and a ruler, cut along the drawn lines of the square grid and then along the diagonal lines, between the stitching lines.

Complete these final steps as for the other quick-piecing methods:

  • Finger press each pieced square open with the seam allowance placed towards the darker of the two fabrics and carefully press each unit open with a hot iron.
  • Trim the fabric points so you have a neatly finished square.
  • You will end up with two identical half square triangle units for each square on your grid. Using a 3 x 4 grid you will have 24 half-square triangles!

Now, if marking out all those lines seems like too much hard work, you can purchase "pre-marked" grid paper to get the job done in half the time! And here's how it works...

 

Method 2 - Gridded Paper:  The gridded paper method is much faster than the gridded fabric method, as the marking step has been eliminated. It is also more precise, without the chance of the fabric or ruler moving when marking. However, you do have the added cost of purchasing the grid paper and you are limited to the sizes that are available.

As for the gridded fabric method, "calculate" the number of triangles you require for your project and determine the size of your starting squares and grid size. If you need help here, read the section on how to calculate measurements for half-square triangles.

Then...

  • Purchase the required grid paper.
  • Cut two pieces of fabric to the specified size and place them with right sides together, edges matching and light-colored fabric on top.
  • Place the grid paper on top of the fabric and carefully pin the grid into place.
  • Set your stitch length to 1.5 or 2.0 and sew along the dotted lines.
  • Using your rotary cutter and a ruler, cut along the lines of the square grid and then along the diagonal lines, between your two lines of stitching. Then "carefully" remove the paper from the back of each unit. 

Now complete the final steps as per the fabric grid method:

  • Finger press each pieced square open with the seam allowance placed towards the darker of the two fabrics.
  • Carefully press each unit open with a warm-hot iron and trim the fabric points so you have a neatly finished square.
  • You will end up with two identical half square triangle units for each square on your grid!

So far, you've learnt how to make half-square triangle units using various methods. All very simple really!

The next and perhaps the most important lesson is how to calculate the measurement of the starting squares to ensure your finished half-square triangle unit is the correct size. This part is easy too, once you know how!

Click Here for Half-Square Triangle Calculation Instructions!


I hope you've found these instructions on "grid-pieced, half-square triangles" useful.

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