EASY HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLES

MAKING TWO AT A TIME

In this method, you sew 2 oversize squares together, cut them apart, press them, and trim them to size. This eliminates sewing a cut bias edge. You get 2 half-square triangle units from each set of squares.

1. Place 2 squares right sides together and draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. Draw stitching lines ¼˝ on each side of centerline.

2. Stitch on each of the 2 stitching lines. Press.

3. Cut on centerline.

4. Press open with both seam allowances to one side. Trim to size, including seam allowance.

MAKING FOUR AT A TIME

When using this method, the outside edges of the half-square triangle units will be on the bias; handle these edges gently.

1. Place 2 squares right sides together. Sew all around using a ¼˝ seam allowance.

2. Cut across the squares diagonally twice.

3. Press open. Trim to size, including seam allowance.

MAKING EIGHT AT A TIME

This fast method makes 8 half-square triangle units at a time.

1. Use 2 squares and place them right sides together. Draw diagonal lines from corner to corner in both directions. Draw stitching lines ¼˝ on each side of diagonal lines.

2. Stitch on each of the 4 stitching lines. Press. Then cut as shown in red.

3. Cut on drawn diagonal lines.

4. Press open with both seam allowances to one side. Trim to size, including seam allowance.