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                                                      Half Square Block                        

                                                                    With my cut down method we can make units I call "blocks"

                                                                                                                             "Half Square Block"                

                          This unit or "Block" can be made in quantity and in any color combination- then you can use  them  in any quilt block or project.  Traditionally quilt blocks are made by cutting out fabric shapes squares/triangles/etc and then  sewing them into quilt blocks which are then sewn into quilts.  With my method  the piecing is much easier and faster!  You will get dramatic looks with easy piecing !    

     Now I know there are many ways to make half square triangles.  I make a lot of scrappy squares. Most of the methods on the market are about making half squares in large quantities of the same color. That'sfine but it doesn't work for me. I don't want to buy any supplies to help make these squares (or triangles)  and I don't have the time involved to fiddle with precisely cutting out triangles and sewing them together. 

      I use the same cut down method that allows me to make the other types of blocks you can see in the other block directions on this site.  I make them in an assembly line fashion.

                             { Cut out the swatches /sew the swatches together/ cut out the squares } 

    This way I can use up scraps if I want or I can quickly cut swatches from my stash.  When I do a scrappy project I try not to repeat the same fabric if at all possible. This way you get a better look. If you place the same fabric or two fabrics  too close to each other they will blend together instead of standingout as individual squares.                                                                                                                           

                                   The Cut Down Method - a shortcut to making quick "blocks"

                          If you are making blocks -- sew fabric together and then cut down to the size you want

                          If you are adding borders -- sew on border fabric then cut the border to the desired size

     Swatches make this process easier to do. A swatch is a piece of fabric that is roughly cut. Do not cut  a perfect square because you will trim this fabric later. The size of your template depends on the project you chose to do.                                                                                                                                                                        

             Tip:  If you don't know what size template you need to make that 8 1/2" quilt block try this tip!  You can use paper to cut out squares with your template to determine what size template you need for the project you want to use the "blocks" in. Sew the squares in a row and measure to see if the size is right. If it is not - then just change the size of your template.  I use a 1 1/2" template and a scant 1/4" seam allowance.  My hot pad tops come out to 8 1/2" using a design with 6 squares across by 6 squares down. If I use a 2" template I get an 8 1/2" hot pad top using a design with 5 squares across and 5 squares down.    

                                                                         You will need:       

                                          one swatch (about 2" x 2")  small print dark cotton fabric          

                                                                     one swatch (2" x 2") small print cotton medium or light value fabric            

                                    1 template -  an acrylic 1 1/2" square template ( you can use whatever size you want )             

                                                                                                    Now let's make a " Block"  

                                        Illustrations below depict the process to making the block.           

         Lay the dark swatch face down onto the light swatch. Lay a ruler along one side --with a rotary cutter cut  a straight edge. Hold or pin the two pieces together and sew a seam along the cut edge. Open and iron the seam open-- the fabric lays flatter if the seam is ironed open instead of to the dark side. This is more important  in small  projects than in regular quilts. Small projects show all the little things that would probably blend in in a larger quilt. Place the joined fabric face up on your mini cutting mat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

        Now:  Place your template on the  joined swatches. Center two opposite corners of the template on the seam.  Look at the illustration below for placement.                                                                             

        Next:  Hold the template in place and using a rotary cutter cut out around the template.  Make sure you hold the  template firmly in place so you get a good clean cut out square!  You can reuse the scrap leftovers in more blocks. If you pull gently from the inside of the joined seams (where the square is cut out) the fabric should come apart fairly easily.   

                      Illustrations -- You can make these assembly line fashion and it goes really quick.                                                                                                                                                 

                                 Cut all fabric / sew swatches /  and then cut all squares out                                                  We make these up ahead in lots of color combos  and then I can mix and match til I have a design I like 

                .               Two joined swatches          Template placement         Cut out the square        Half Square Block                                   

    After you have learned to make the "blocks" you can make as many as you want to and try any project or quilt blocks you want to make.  You will find free quilt blocks on our Free Quilt Block link. There are traditional quilt blocks and the layout of the "Half Square Blocks" so you can see how to use the "blocks". If you look at a lot of traditional quilt blocks you will see that you can use this piecing method instead of the traditional way of cutting out triangles and then sewing them together.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                           If you have any questions you can contact me at patchesbyr@yahoo.com                                                                  

                                                                    Rhonda Woodsmall     

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