Learn How to Make Accordion Half Square Triangles | Easy Quilting Blog

Everything You Need to Know About Accordion Half Square Triangles

As a quilter with over 10 years of experience under my belt, accordion half square triangles (HSTs) are a technique I’ve used countless times in my projects. From my experience, HSTs are one of the most foolproof and versatile elements for adding interest to any quilt design. In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about executing the accordion HST method with precision and ease.

What are Accordion Half Square Triangles?

In simple terms, accordion HSTs are triangles made by cutting squares in half diagonally and then arranging the resulting triangles in an accordion-style pattern. The “accordion” part refers to the way the triangles fold up like an accordion. By slicing squares at the diagonal, you end up with paired triangles that are mirror images of each other. The fun part is playing with the orientation of those mirror-image pairs to form intricate mosaic-like patterns.

Supplies Needed

1. Fabric squares for making the HSTs – Usually 2 different fabrics are used for the contrast
2. Rotary cutter, rulers and mat for precision cutting
3. Sewing machine and thread that matches your fabrics
4. Iron and ironing surface

Cutting the Half Square Triangles

Here are the basic steps for cutting HSTs from squares:

1. Place 2 contrasting fabric squares right sides together. I like to pin mine just to be safe.
2. Mark the diagonal line on the wrong side of one fabric square using a washable fabric marker.
3. Align your ruler along the diagonal line and cut the square in half.
4. You’ll end up with 2 matching mirrored triangular pieces.
5. Repeat for all squares until you have the number of HST pairs you need.

Sewing the Half Square Triangles

Now comes the fun part where the magic happens:

1. With right sides facing, place a HST pair together and align the long edge of one triangle with the long edge of its mate.
2. Sew a 1/4″ seam along that long edge.
3. Open up the HST and press the seam towards the darker fabric. I know, pressing seams is kind of a drag but super important here!
4. Repeat for all HST pairs.

At this point, your HSTs are finished! But you can take them to the next level by arranging them in funky accordion patterns. That’s where the real quilting magic unfolds.

Arranging the Accordion Patterns

You basically get to design your own mosaic by playing with orientation. Here are a few basic accordion layouts to try:

1. Straight accordion: All HSTs facing the same direction in a straight row.
2. Zig zag accordion: Alternating the triangles left and right like a zig zag.
3. Diagonal accordion: Arranging the triangles diagonally across the layout area.

You can pretty much decide the orientation as you go for unique one-of-a-kind results each time. The possibilities are endless!

Sewing the Accordion Rows Together

Once the HSTs are arranged, it’s time to stitch them into finished strips or blocks. Here’s the sitch:

1. Pin adjacent HSTs right sides facing and raw edges aligned.
2. Sew another 1/4″ seam to join the triangles into long continuous strips.
3. Press seams open or to one side, your preference.
4. Repeat until all HSTs are joined into strips or blocks.

And just like that, you have gorgeous, professional looking accordion HST elements to add to your quilting masterpiece. Sweet!

Tips and Tricks Learned Along the Way

Over the years, I’ve basically become the Obi-Wan Kenobi of HSTs. Here are a few tricks I’ve picked up for stellar results every time:

1. Always pin your fabric squares for cutting – it prevents slippage and keeps things accurate.
2. Draw diagonal lines with water-soluble fabric pen for easy removal later.
3. Press seams as you go for neat, sharp points when complete.
4. Remember – the HST is the heart of spiral borders and lots more patterns too!
5. For pinpoint precision, use small seam stitches of 12-16 spi when piecing the triangles.

Hope these tips help you level up your accordion HST skillz, my quilting friend! With practice, you’ll be rocking complicated triangle patterns like a pro. Just don’t stress if it seems fiddly at first – we’ve all been there. It basically just comes down to accurate cutting and pressing as you piece.

Real-Life Examples from My Quilting Journey

I wanted to share a couple projects where I relied heavily on trusty accordion HSTs to really make a statement:

The first was a baby quilt I made for my bestie’s newborn. The design incorporated bright zig zag HST strips in different fabrics all joined together. It was kinda basic but turned out super cute! Looking back, I’m amazed at how well those fiddly triangles held up to constant washings over the years.

More recently, I went all out with an intricate spiral pattern quilt centered around long diagonal HST bands. Dude it was meticulous piecing tiny mirrored triangles one by one, but totally worth it when I held up that masterpiece afterward. Now that quilt lives on my dining room wall in a place of honor, if I do say so myself!

So in summary, don’t be afraid to experiment with accordion HSTs in your own designs. With a little practice, those oh-so-versatile triangles will become your new BFFs too. Let me know if you have any other quilting questions!

Well guys, I think that about covers the basics of accordion HSTs. Thanks for reading – hope these tips help propel your quilting to the next level! Feel free to reach out if you need any clarification. Happy quilting!

Useful Details of Accordion Half Square Triangles

FAQ

1. What are accordion half square triangles?

   Accordion half square triangles, also known as hst’s, are made by taking two squares of fabric and cutting them diagonally in half to make four triangles. You then sew two triangles together with right sides facing to make a unit. Basically, it gives the look of a square when sewn into a quilt but is made using triangles.

2. What size squares do I need to make them?

   The size of the squares depends on the project, but generally you’ll want squares that are 2-3 inches larger than the finished size of your hst. For a baby quilt, 2 1/2 inch squares would make nice 1 1/2 inch hst’s after sewing. Nevertheless, you can use larger squares too – it’s up to your preference.

   

3. How many will I get from each pair of squares?

   When sewing two same-size squares together, you’ll end up with four hst units. So if you start with 20 squares, you’ll have 80 units after sewing them all together.

4. What’s the best way to cut the squares accurately?

   A rotary cutter and cutting mat works well for consistent cuts. You can also use scissors but it may be tougher to get nice pointed edges. If using a rotary cutter, place the square diagonally on the mat and cut from one corner to the other. Then re-cut from the opposite corners.

5. Is there an easy way to line up the triangles for sewing?

   Yes, there is a nifty method! Iron the diagonal seam line you just cut toward the darker fabric. This will create a nice crease. Then place the two triangles right sides together and nest the seams so those creased edges match up. Pin for accuracy and you’re ready to stitch that 1/4″ seam.

6. What if my points aren’t perfect after sewing?

   Don’t worry, with practice your points will get sharper. For now, use small sharp scissors to trim the dog ears (extra fabric triangles) left at the point. Be cautious not to clip your actual seam though. Once trimmed, press the seam open and your hst is done!

7. Any tips for reducing bulk when sewing many together?

   When sewing a large number of hst’s, the bulk of all those layers can be overwhelming for your machine. One idea is to press each unit as you go to cut down on layers. You may also try using a walking foot, which helps feed multiple layers of fabric evenly under the needle.

• Does this help explain how to make accordion half square triangles? Let me know if you have any other questions!

While accordion half square triangles may seem confusing at first, the process is actually pretty simple. The key is taking it step-by-step – cut the squares, then the triangles, iron and nest them, and sew that seam. Before you know it, you’ll have a whole bunch of hst units ready to assemble into a gorgeous quilt. It may take some practice to get nice sharp points, but don’t get dismayed if they’re not perfect at first. With each one you complete, your skills will improve. Maybe share your progress on a quilting blog or forum to get feedback from other creators. They’d probably be stunned by your efforts! So give hst’s a try – I’m sure you’ll find the technique gets easier the more you do. Then you can sit back and enjoy your eye-catching quilt masterpiece.