Quilting

Eight at a Time HSTs

HSTs – Testing the Eight-at-a-Time Method

Sunday Sew Day Quilt UFOsHSTs

This weekend, I am working on a project that requires many HSTs (Half Square Triangles), and I figured it was time to try a different method. So here are my results of Eight at a Time HSTs. It has been years and years since I used this method, and it took a couple of minutes to reacquaint myself.

HSTs Chart

First, I need to know what size to cut my two fabric squares. Below is just one example of cutting the squares according to the finished size of HSTs you want. I used the size listed in the third column: 6″ squares. Honestly, I wish I had been brave enough to do 5 3/4″ squares. Now, I will have to sit and trim 200 HSTs. This is a reminder to try one first to see if the results will work or if it creates more work.

HSTs Eight at a Time Cutting Chart

Drawing Lines for the HSTs

HSTs Eight at a Time drawing Lines

Now, it is time to draw the diagonal lines on the wrong side of half of the squares. I have a little supervisor who thinks he has to be on the sewing table, over-watching every step.

I use a mechanical pencil and my 6″x12″ ruler to draw my lines. This part went fairly quickly, and I was excited about creating eight HSTs with just two squares of fabric and two diagonal lines. The sewing should go pretty quickly.

Time to Sew

HSTs Eight at a Time sewing lines
HSTsSewing lines for eight at a time HSTs

Line up two squares. Pressing them can help to keep them from sliding as you are sewing. I wouldn’t press if I had used a pen, though. I would have pinned the squares together instead.

Now, you need to sew on both sides of the diagonal lines. This process went quickly, and I was done with the sewing before I knew it. So far, I am pleased with how fast it is going. I should have taken a picture from the other side, where my lines show up better.

Now, to get ready to cut apart the square, eight HSTs were created.

Cutting Apart the Squares

HSTsCutting apart the large square to create 8 HSTs

Make your first cut horizontally. Even though I moved mine apart, keep yours together and cut it apart vertically. Because I used 6″ squares, I lined my ruler on the 3″ line. This helped to keep my cuts square.

HSTseight at a time HSTs

Cutting both horizontally and vertically gives you four squares. It is time to cut apart on the diagonally drawn line. I cheated and cut on the line with scissors. It was something that I could do in front of the TV.

Before pressing the HSTs open, I pressed them closed. Then, I can carefully press them open, making sure that I don’t stretch them out of shape.

Trimming the HSTs

TrimmingHSTs

This was when it dawned on me that I should have started with a smaller square initially. I wanted to avoid the trimming. Lesson learned.

As you can see, there isn’t much to trim, so sitting down to trim from all four sides. It’s time to put a movie in and get to trimming the HSTs. The supper is in the crockpot, and laundry and dishes are done. It is a perfect sewing day.

The Buffalo Bills game is on later, so it’s a good time to take a break. Enjoy your day!


If you are looking for something to do, check out the 2025 Mystery Quilt page and the Scrappy Pattern page. There is always something new to do.

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Until next time.

Quilting With Tamara

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