MICHELLE’S TIPS FOR
MAKING PIECED SQUARES
Pieced squares made from two triangles – often referred to
as ‘HST (half-square triangle) units’ – can be made in a wide
variety of ways. This project is a wonderful opportunity to try
a range of diff erent methods to find the one that suits you best
and provides you with the most accurate outcomes. The squares
you’re making for this quilt finish at 2in in the quilt, so they
need to measure 2^11 ⁄ 2 in from raw edge to raw edge before they’re
joined together into blocks and then into rows.
Method 1 Cut a square 2^7 ⁄ 8 in. Cut the square in half across the
diagonal to yield two half-square triangles. Join a triangle from
a light fabric to one from a medium-dark fabric along their longest
edges to complete the pieced square.
Method 2 Cut a square, 2^7 ⁄ 8 in from both a light and a medium-dark
fabric. Use a pencil to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the
light square. Match it, right sides together, with the medium-dark
square. Sew a scant^1 ⁄ 4 in on either side of the drawn line. Cut the
fabrics apart on the drawn line to yield two matching pieced squares.
Method 3 Cut a square, 3in or even 3^1 ⁄ 4 in, from both a light and a
medium-dark fabric. Repeat the process described in Method 2.
This time, your pieced squares will be oversized and need to be
trimmed on all four edges as shown in the diagram (right).
To do this, place the pieced square on a cutting mat, right
side up. Position a quilter’s ruler with its 45-degree line matching
the seam. Trim the two exposed edges of the square on the top
and right edge of the ruler with a rotary cutter. (If you’re left-
handed, trim the top and left edges.) Rotate the square. This time
when the quilter’s ruler is put in position, the 45-degree line needs
to match the seam and the line indicating 2^1 ⁄ 2 in needs to lie on
the just-cut edge of the pieced square. Trim the remaining two
exposed edges of the square, as shown in the diagram. 2½in
2½in45°Method 3