A little bit about Quarter Square Triangles

No lines to draw, no specialty rulers needed.

Learn to make a Quarter Square Triangle unit (QST from here on out) using any regular quilting ruler. There is nothing new under the sun (my Grandma used to say) and its true. This is not new , nor did I ‘invent’ this way of a making a quarter square triangle. I am sharing it here because someone asked me to, AND for anyone who hasn’t seen it before or doesn’t have a special ruler just for making QSTs. True story: I do love my specialty rulers, paper triangles and any gadget you could conceive to make a quilt. if you do as well , please enjoy using those whenever it pleases you. Spending my days in a a quilt shop, I probably have used and enjoyed every ruler that was ever shown to me. A long time quilting partner refers t me as a ‘gadget getter’ . But we don’t always need a gadget. Just a girl and her fabric having fun any which way it makes her happy. There are many special rulers available that will aid in the making of quarter square triangles. There are also MANY resources, videos and tutorials for QSTs on the internet. What follows is only one of many ways you might choose. Scroll on to see the steps to do it with any regular quilting ruler and….no lines to draw either. It’s mostly pictures and wont take long to absorb.

Happy Halloween to all, enjoy the fall weather wherever you are.

Happy Halloween to all, enjoy the fall weather wherever you are.

For the block I am making, I want to end up with a QST that is 4” finished (so 4 1/2” unfinished) First I’ll cut two 5 1/2” squares.

You may need to make other sizes? The starting squares should be cut 1 1/2” larger than you want your FINISHED QST to be.

I need mine to be 4” finished , So I’ll start with two 5 1/2” squares.

TWO  5 1/2” squares

TWO 5 1/2” squares

Stack squares and cut on the diagonal twice.

Stack squares and cut on the diagonal twice.

Now each square has been cut into 4 triangles

Now each square has been cut into 4 triangles

Arrange your triangles alternating colors as you need.

Arrange your triangles alternating colors as you need.

Stitch, right sides together, using a 1/4” seam allowance.

Stitch, right sides together, using a 1/4” seam allowance.

Press seam allowances towards the darker fabric as you work.

Press seam allowances towards the darker fabric as you work.

Square up edges (if needed).

Square up edges (if needed).

Ready to go into your quilt block! ☺ This fabric is MIDNIGHT MAGIC from April Rosenthal.

Ready to go into your quilt block! ☺ This fabric is MIDNIGHT MAGIC from April Rosenthal.

Thank you for reading our blog, until we blog again, be sure and take time out to Enjoy the Sew!

The Sharktown Dash: Baby quilt tutorial

FEATURING SHARKTOWN FABRICS FROM #RILEYBLAKEDESIGNS

Sharktown Dash Quilt 40" x 54"

Sharktown Dash Quilt 40" x 54"

Make this quick baby quilt, perfect for summertime naps, play or a gift for that special little one. This quilt features Sharktown fabrics by Shawn Wallace for Riley Blake Designs

It is so much fun to have this playful Riley Blake collection in the quilt shop this summer.  I stitched up this campshirt and sundress (with matching doll dress) using patterns from Olive Ann and Fishsticks .

Summertime togs for your toddler.

Summertime togs for your toddler.

These fabrics are adorable so I couldn't stop there. I  wanted to make a quilt with Sharktown . I wanted it to be something easy and sized right for little ones.  

We have been featuring the churn dash block in our summer programs here in the shop this year, so I  started my design with that . I plumped up  the size of the block pieces to make it quick to do and to feature the prints in the collection without cutting them into squares that were too small, and the Chubby Churn Dash block was the result

SHARKTOWN + CHURN DASH = SHARKTOWN DASH

The Sharktown Dash Quilt is so quick to make you'll have it put together in no time at all. Start with some of fabric designer Shawn Wallace's  Sharktown collection - stitch up six chubby churn dash blocks, add sashing, borders and you get this sweet Sharktown Dash quilt. (you could add more chubby churn dash blocks for a bigger quilt).

I fussy cut the 3" x 3" center squares

I fussy cut the 3" x 3" center squares


Sewing the 6 blocks:

Start by making 24 Half Square Triangle  (HST) units using the 5 7/8"  block squares and background squares.

Take one background square and one blue block square . Place squares RST (notice  how my  blue block fabric has a directional print)

Take one background square and one blue block square . Place squares RST (notice  how my  blue block fabric has a directional print)

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the light squares. Please note that because my blue block fabric is directional , I need to draw one of my diagonal lines in the opposite direction of the other line, This will keep all my HST positioned correctly…

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the light squares. Please note that because my blue block fabric is directional , I need to draw one of my diagonal lines in the opposite direction of the other line, This will keep all my HST positioned correctly   in the finished block.....or it is much easier to say it keeps all my sharks swimming in the right direction ☺

Stitch 1/4" seam on either side of your drawn line.

Stitch 1/4" seam on either side of your drawn line.

Cut apart on the drawn line.

Cut apart on the drawn line.

Press your HSTs open and position them as shown.

Press your HSTs open and position them as shown.

Arrange your HSts, the 3" center square, four 3" blue block squares and four 3" background squares as shown.

Arrange your HSts, the 3" center square, four 3" blue block squares and four 3" background squares as shown.

Sew all the block pieces together and press well, Square up your blocks to 13" x 13" (unfinished size)

Sew all the block pieces together and press well, Square up your blocks to 13" x 13" (unfinished size)

quilt assembly

Use the diagram below  to add your sashing strips and outer borders.

Quilt assembly diagram.

Quilt assembly diagram.

Layer your quilt top with batting and backing. Quilt as desired.

Bind, add a label and enjoy your finished quilt.

I quilted bubbles all over to finish my quilt.

Thank you so much for reading this blog post. If you decide to make this quilt, I hope you have as much fun as I did,

Until we blog again take time out to Enjoy the Sew!®- Carol


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