Eight HSTs Method (Half Square Triangles)

Do you have a quilt that needs a lot of HSTs (Half Square Triangles)? Making two at a time seems tedious, so why not make eight at a time?!

 Some people refer to this as the Magic 8 method. I find it super easy to make multiple blocks at a time. 

 First you will need two squares of fabric.  

To figure out the size, take the finished size of the HST that you need, add 1 inch then times by two. For example, I need 1 1/2 inch finished size squares. So I add 1 inch ( = 2 1/2 inches) and times it by two. So I will need two squares of fabric that are 5 inches square. 

On the wrong side of one square, draw four lines as shown in the picture. Two diagonal from corner to corner. One vertically at the halfway point. One horizontally at the halfway point. 

 Place both squares right sides together. Using a scant 1/4 inch seam, stitch on both sides of both diagonal lines. 

(A scant 1/4 inch seam is a seam that just short of a full 1/4 inch seam.)

 Here is what it will look like after stitching. 

Cut on all written lines. 

Open up the HSTs and press to the dark side. Trim to the desired unfinished size. 

There you go! There are lots of ways to arrange HSTs to make lots of different shapes. Here are just a few. 

I hope you find this helpful.

Have fun quilting!