It’s Tuesday Thread, where I am breaking down quilting techniques one stitch at a time!
Join us Each Tuesday
Today, is the quarter square triangles, those clever little pieces that add movement quilt blocks. Sometimes called hourglass units, these triangles are made by combining two half square triangles and then slicing again. They’re perfect for stars, pinwheels, and any design that needs a touch of symmetry and flair.
I am taking the mystery away and showing you how to do it easily.
We have made a square, a triangle and some basic quilt info. NOW it’s time for some FUN quilt block patterns. Don’t over think these, just step by step.
Quarter Square Triangle
Cut 2 squares, 1 each color – your squares needs to be cut 1 ¼” larger than the finished size you need, example you need a 4” finished square cut square
5 ¼” x 5 ¼”
On lightest color on the back, pencil mark from corner to corner.
Sew ¼” from the line, on each side of the line.
With scissors cut on each of the 2 lines, open up, move the match colors, pin and sew you will have 2 blocks
A star quilt block can be as simple or intricate as you like, perfect for both beginners and experienced quilters. This quilt block pattern has a finished size of eight inches by eight inches. Have fun with color as you are making yours. The white on my quilt block helps make the other colors pop or showcase them. Here to see. The Ladies on Etsy AND it’s Now in Print – Kindle and on Amazon Prime
Cut 4 Pink– 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” Cut 4 White 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” Make Triangles – How I make my triangles
Cut 8 Blue – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 8 Purple – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 16 White – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Sew as shown
Beth Ann is The Quilt Ladies
Beth Ann is a Quilter and an Author who decided to self-publish her books and quilt pattern books
I hand piece or hand quilt EVERY Monday at my small group quilting group. Really…I’m just to lazy to get my sewing machine carried in and set up, plus then I couldn’t walk over. A new member arrived last Monday and she asked LOTS of questions about hand piecing. So, I’m re-posting my basic hand piecing class
I feel all quilter’s should at some time do hand piecing, I know you think I’m nuts, but it brings me back to the tradition of what quilters are all about. I try to do one every year or so. Your piece need not be a huge project, but please, try it.
This is my travel quilt box, would you believe it’s an old Ethel M Chocolate box from Las Vegas about 35 years ago. It has everything but scissors, you just can’t travel with them anymore. I have gotten into the habit of keeping it all together. This box has been on many vacations, fishing trips and even at baseball/football games in many towns, when the boys still lived with us.
Cut an assortment of fabric,
For one block you will need
8 – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
and
4 – 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
I just cut a pile of each and put the colors together as I piece.
Mark a 1/4″ seam line on fabric back, I use a ruler and pencil.
Knot your thread and do a rocking stitch. After a bit you will not need the line, notice my thumb,
I use it as my measurement guide, some add a mark on their nail, but I don’t like messing up my nails, aka manicure !
I use a thread about 18-20 inches long and string piece, knotting at the beginning and end of each block. Finger piece them open.
Draw seam line if needed. Place good fabric to good, pin and sew.
Open and finger press. Add 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2′ to side.
Draw sewing line, Pin and sew on line,
Finger press to the outside.
Take 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ and draw sewing line on each end, sew to 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ Do 2 times.
Draw seam line if needed. Place good fabric to good, pin and sew.
This is the back of my hand pieced block.
Two finished blocks, each block has a finished size of 4″
Take some time, don’t take it all too serious, pick a comfy chair, good light and just have some HAND piecing fun.
Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Book
This design celebrates the bold beauty of red and white—a combo that never goes out of style. It’s classic, crisp, and oh-so-versatile. Start with a fresh white base, layer in striking red accents, and you’ve got a quilt that’s both timeless and eye-catching. And if red’s not your thing? No problem! This pattern works with any color combo, so let your creativity shine.
Why You’ll Love It: Finished quilt size: 54” x 74”
Easy-to-follow piecing instructions
Confident beginner-friendly
Works in fabric colors with white background Big impact with simple construction
Here is a bit of info that will make starting to quilt a little easier. Quilt sizes, fabric sizes and if you missed it how to sew a basic square and triangle quilt block.
Beth Ann of The Quilt Ladies
Standard Cut Sizes of Fabric
Fat Quarter – 18” x 22”
Fat Eighth – 9” x 22”
Fat Sixteenth – 4 ½” x 22”
1 Yards is 36” x 44-45 ”(width may be different per
fabric company)
Standard Mattress Sizes
Crib – 23’ x 46’ or 28” x 52”
Twin Single – 39” x 75”
Double/Full – 54” x 75”
Queen – 60” x 80”
King – 76” x 80” or 78” x 80”
Standard Batting Sizes
Crib Size – 45’ x 60”
Twin – 72” x 90”
Double/Full – 81” x 96”
Queen – 90” x 108”
King 120” x 120”
IF you missed it here are the TWO basic Quilt blocks again !
There are MANY ways to piece quilt blocks,
I’m sharing the way I like to do it.
Squares
Cut 2 – 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares the same size (finished size of square plus 1/2 inch)
This log book began out of care and necessity. When my husband served as the executor of a dear friend’s estate, we quickly realized how important it is to have everything written down—organized, accessible, and in one place.
Inside you’ll find:
Alphabetical pages for easy access
Space for websites, usernames, passwords, notes
Simple layout—perfect for all ages
For home or office
A practical gift idea for:
Anyone wanting to stay organized and secure
Seniors or caregivers
Executors of estates
Families managing household accounts
See All I Do, beside Quilt Pattern Books BethAnnDoing.com
My Great-Great Grandmother’s Quilt This quilt was a gift to my mother from her Great Grandmother. And then a Gift to me from My Mother. Making it by, GREAT-GREAT Grandmother’s Gift to ME ! Well…That’s how I like to look at it.
I never met her and my mom only remembers helping with the peddle sewing machine. I use this quilt and love sleeping under it. It goes in the washer and now living here in Florida and not having a clothes line it does go it the dryer….Yes… it bothers me too, but…. the colors are still very bright, but the Florida sun won on these photo’s.
Just like the square if you are not ready to purchase a rotary cutter and mat. You will need to make a freezer paper pattern. How to do Square’s HERE
Take the FINISHED size of the square you want and add 7/8 of an inch. example: for a finished size 2 inch square you will cut your fabric 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″
for a finished size 3 inch square you will cut your fabric 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ for a finished size 4 inch square you will cut your fabric 4 7/8″ x 4 7/8″
And so on, either make you freezer paper pattern or up with a rotary cutter and ruler.
I’ve used a 3 inch FINISHED Square cut 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″A light and a dark.
On the Wrong side of the light fabric draw a line from corner to corner.
This is the cutting line NOT sewing line
On your sewing machine sew a straight seam, 1/4″ from the line. Pencil is on if you need, my sewing machine foot is 1/4″
Turn and do the same thing on the other side.(when I have many to sew, I do chain piecing, one right after another, not stopping the machine until all finished and then turn and do the other side) If NEW do them one at a time.
Cut on the drawn Cutting line.
You have 2 triangles
Open them up and 2 triangles
Press your seam to the dark fabric and trim the end tail off.
This is your finished triangle
GIVE IT A TRY…. IT’S NOT HARD.
I recently posted a quilt block on Facebook and there was a lot of take about points.
Here’s how I do it.
Pieced together a triangle to a block
Added this as a strip to another piece. Pin as much as you need, check as you pin to make sure
you have the 1/4 seam allowance.
On this seam I had to move the needle in just 2 threads to make the point perfect.
Perfect for:
Those who haven’t opened a Bible in years
Anyone whose faith has frayed a little around the edges
Quilters who find peace in the rhythm of making, sewing and reading 24 days of Luke + 25 quilt block patterns
This book isn’t a task to complete, it’s a rhythm to return to. Available ONLY here
This past Tuesday Thread was how to do quilt squares, HERE
And this is one of the best ways to learn to do square this quilt pattern is for you. This quilt pattern is easy and it’s ONLY a square. Making nine patch quilt block This is just the next step in a nine patch quilt block. Finished Quilt block is ten inches.
Quarter Square Triangle
