Make perfect HSTs fast, with no trimming

Happy Monday! I've got something super exciting to share with you all today! It's my method of making perfect half-square triangles (HSTs) in a fraction of the time, with no marking diagonal lines or squaring up the finished units! Yes, really.

I'm calling it "Perfect HSTs." My Perfect HST Templates come as an instant-download digital PDF. Your purchase includes the following, all for only $9.99:
• Templates to make half-square triangles in 10 sizes (finished sizes of 1", 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2", 3", 3-1/2", 4", 4-1/2", 5", 6")
• Complete step-by-step instructions for using the templates, with photos
• Fabric requirements and a cutting chart for all 10 sizes, in quantities of up to 300 HSTs each—so all the quilt math is done for you!
• A quick-and-easy pillow project pattern that you can make in less than two hours, using my templates

Get the Perfect HST Templates

As we all know, HSTs are in just about every quilt design out there. 😊 And these templates have been my go-to method for making them for ages, since it's so fast and makes them perfectly. In fact, these templates are exactly what I used when I made my mom's quilt that I posted about last week.

Get the Perfect HST Templates

If you're familiar with half-square triangle papers, my PDF templates basically work the same way. But since I'm offering it as a PDF, you pay one price for TEN different HST sizes, ranging from 1" to 6" finished. You can print as many as you need for all eternity—no going back for more pre-printed papers when you run out. And the templates are specifically set up for printing on 8.5" x 11" paper.

Watch this video of Perfect HSTs in action

You can watch the video linked above to see how they work, or read on for complete written instructions!

1. Print the template.

Download the "Perfect HSTs" PDF and print out the template in the size of your choice.

Be sure to print your template at ACTUAL SIZE (100% scaling). This setting can be found under “Page Sizing and Handling” in the print dialogue box (“Shrink to Fit” is often the default, which will result in HSTs that are too small!). After printing, use a ruler to check the template’s 1” scale (see below) to ensure the size printed accurately.

I print my templates on standard office paper/copy paper, or try printing on blank sheets of newsprint for even easier tearing later on. (Here's a pack of 500 sheets of newsprint paper.)

2. Cut out the fabric and the templates.

Cut two pieces of fabric to the size specified on the template, and trim the templates on the outer dashed line. The template size is designed to approximately match up to the size of the fabric pieces you will be using.

3. Stack fabric and template.

Stack two pieces of fabric, right sides together, as shown above.

Place trimmed template on top of the stack, printed side facing up.

4. Sew.

Turn down the stitch length on your sewing machine—I set mine at about 1.5. (The shorter stitch length will help you tear off the paper when you’re done stitching.) Sew on the dotted lines that say “Sew here,” through all three layers (two pieces of fabric and the paper template).

5. Cut.

Using a rotary cutter and quilting ruler, cut along the solid lines marked with scissors icons.

Cut the template’s vertical lines first, then the horizontal and diagonal lines.

6. Remove paper.

Carefully remove the paper by folding it back along the stitching and then tearing it along the seam line.

7. Press open.

That's it! Perfect HSTs in no time flat!

Get the Perfect HST Templates

Want to give it a whirl? Click here to download the Perfect HSTs PDF! And if you give it a try, I hope you'll post about it on Instagram with the hashtag #perfecthsts. Perfect HSTs work great ANY time you're making HSTs and with any existing pattern, but I'm also planning to put out some patterns that specifically use Perfect HSTs—one is already in the works! So I hope you enjoy the templates, and have a wonderful week!