Why I Won't Teach You How to Make Half-Square Triangles (And Why That's Good News)
Welcome to Chris's Quilting Notebook.
If you've spent any time searching for quilting advice online, you've probably noticed something. No matter what you're trying to learn, you'll find dozens—sometimes hundreds—of tutorials promising to show you the "best" way.
Half-square triangles are a perfect example.
There are videos that teach you to make them two at a time, four at a time, eight at a time, with specialty rulers, without specialty rulers, oversized and trimmed down, or cut to perfection right from the start.
After a while, it becomes less about learning how to make a half-square triangle and more about figuring out whose advice to trust.
That's where I hope Chris's Quilting Notebook will be a little different.
There are already wonderful quilters teaching half-square triangles, and many of them do it far better than I ever could. They've spent years refining their techniques, creating excellent videos, and helping thousands of quilters build their skills.
Rather than reinvent something that's already being taught so well, I'd rather spend my time finding those outstanding resources, learning from them myself, and sharing the ones I think are truly worth your time.
Think of this as a notebook rather than a classroom.
Every week you'll probably find me down some quilting rabbit hole. One week it might be half-square triangles. The next it could be batting, rulers, thread, fabric collections, quilting books, or a tool everyone seems to be talking about. Whatever I'm researching, I'll share my notes here—the good, the bad, and occasionally the things that make me wonder why anyone thought that was a good idea.
My goal is simple: to save you a little time, help you spend your quilting dollars wisely, and point you toward resources I genuinely believe are worth recommending.
This week's rabbit hole? Half-square triangles.
Why Half-Square Triangles Matter
Half-square triangles, often shortened to HSTs, are one of the most versatile building blocks in quilting. A simple square divided diagonally into two triangles can be arranged in countless ways to create stars, pinwheels, zigzags, diamonds, flying geese variations, and hundreds of classic quilt blocks.
Learning to make accurate half-square triangles opens the door to an enormous number of quilt patterns.
The funny thing is that making them isn't the difficult part.
Deciding how you want to make them is.
Some methods prioritize speed. Others focus on accuracy. Some require trimming every unit, while others are designed to eliminate as much trimming as possible. None of those approaches are necessarily right or wrong—they're simply different solutions for different quilting styles.
After spending time watching several popular tutorials and comparing methods, one thing became very clear.
Most experienced quilters eventually settle on the method that fits their style of quilting. What works beautifully for someone making dozens of charity quilts each year may not be the same approach preferred by someone creating one heirloom quilt at a time.
That's reassuring, because it means you don't have to find the one "correct" method.
You simply need to find the one that works best for you.
(Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products, books, and resources that I personally use, genuinely like, or believe are worth sharing. Thank you for supporting Chris Cross Quilts & More!)
My Notebook Recommendations
Rather than overwhelm you with dozens of options, here are the resources I'd recommend to a friend who's ready to learn.
My favorite beginner-friendly tutorial
If you're completely new to half-square triangles, I'd start with Erica Arndt's tutorial. She walks through four different methods, explains why you might choose one over another, and demonstrates each one clearly.
One feature I especially appreciated was the chapter markers. Instead of scrubbing through a long video trying to find the section you want, you can jump directly to the method you're interested in. She also includes a printable HST cheat sheet that's worth downloading and keeping in your sewing room.
If you prefer learning from books
One of my favorite references is Quilter's Complete Guide.
This isn't the kind of book you read once and put back on the shelf. It's the kind you reach for again and again when you can't quite remember a technique, need to double-check measurements, or simply want to refresh your memory. Whether you're just starting out or you've been quilting for years, it's a resource I think belongs in every sewing room.
A ruler I think is worth considering
I own more quilting rulers than I'd probably like to admit, including several specialty rulers designed specifically for half-square triangles.
And yet...
More often than not, I reach for my Creative Grids 6½" × 24½" ruler because it's already sitting on my cutting mat. It's versatile, accurate, and handles far more than just half-square triangles. If you're trying to build a quilting toolbox without buying a specialty ruler for every task, this is one I'd recommend.
A beginner-friendly pattern to practice with
If you're looking for a project to put those new half-square triangle skills to work, I recommend the Stardust Charity Quilt Along from Fat Quarter Shop.
I've made this quilt myself (it's the one pictured in the lower left corner of the photo above), and it's a wonderful project for practicing HSTs without feeling repetitive. The instructions are clear, the design is beautiful, and the pattern is available as a free PDF.
One Last Note from My Notebook
If you come back each Tuesday expecting another step-by-step tutorial, you'll probably be surprised.
That's not really what this notebook is about.
It's about doing the research, asking the questions, comparing the options, and sharing what I learn along the way.
There are wonderful teachers in the quilting world, and I plan to keep learning from them right alongside you.
My hope is that Chris's Quilting Notebook becomes a place where you can save a little time, avoid a few unnecessary purchases, discover outstanding resources, and maybe find your next favorite quilting teacher.
After all, there are only so many hours in a day. If I can spend a few of mine digging through the options so you don't have to, I'd call that time well spent.
Until next Tuesday,
Chris
Thank you for supporting Chris Cross Quilts & More. Every purchase made through an affiliate link helps me continue creating free quilting resources, reviews, and inspiration for this community.
