QnT QUADS of Half Square Triangles #1

QnT QUADS of Half Square Triangles #1

5-15-12 thru 6-15-12

--2 partners to receive four matching Half Square Triangles each

--one quad of matching HSTS to each partner (quad = 4 and is short for quadruple)

--each block should measure 4 ½” before sending (after stitching, ironing and squaring up)

In this series of swaps we will be making and sending half square triangles in matching quads. That’s four Half Square Triangles (HSTS) all alike to each of our two partners. (no solids please) This will supply us with a less scrappy batch of HST blocks to use when we want them to match or form a pattern, as when making pin-wheels.

1. Using 100% cotton fabric cut four 5” fabric charms from one darker print and four charms from a lighter coordinating color. (example: pick a blue print with pink flowers and yellow birds, then pick a lighter color print to match either the blue or the pink or yellow in the first fabric) placing these 5” charms in two stacks - one stack of the darker color and one stack of the lighter coordinating color

2. pick one charm from each stack and place them right sides together

3. draw your diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric from the upper left hand corner to the lower right hand corner

4. stitch a scant ¼ inch seam on either side of the drawn line

5. cut on the drawn line

6. press seam flat (usually towards the darker print) on each HST

7. square up each HST to 4 ½” trimming off the dog ears (squaring up is using a quilting ruler to measure and a rotary cutter to trim each block to 4 ½”)

You should continue this process with all of the charms in your two stacks until you end up with 8 matching HSTS. Keep four of the matching HSTS (that’s one quad) for yourself and send the other quad (4) of these matching HSTS to your first partner.

NOTE: Since there are two partners to send to you should repeat steps 1 thru 7 again for your second partner either using the same coordinating prints as you did for the first partner, or a new set of prints. If you use the same prints as the first set you will be keeping two sets of quads that match for yourself. However, if you’d rather end up with a larger variety of HSTS quads, pick two different prints for the second partner so when you finish this swap you will end up with two different quads of HSTS for yourself.

We will continue this series as interest demands.

Questions are welcome so post them below.