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
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.
If someone had asked me a year ago what mattered most, I probably would have answered with something about getting things done, checking off my list, or finishing another project. Then life had other plans.
Watching my husband go through open heart surgery changed me in ways I never expected. Suddenly, the things that once seemed urgent weren’t important at all. A quiet morning, a walk together, laughing together, sharing a simple meal, or just sitting on the lanai without saying much are the moments I treasured most.
I put this book together for myself last year and added it to my store. But I opened it one VERY long night in February, day 4 of ICU and it helped. I read all the readings, I had made all the quilt blocks, I got out of bed and stood with them in my hands and cried !
That 3 am cry, made me slow it all done, try to worry less and I have read this book every day since. To me it’s about loving more, noticing more, and being thankful for the gift of another ordinary day.
If you’re looking for a quieter, more meaningful way to prepare your heart for Christmas, I’d love to share the little book that helped me through one of the hardest seasons of my life.
Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Book
Stitched into the Story is 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
And it is ONLY availabe on Amazon, there is something about NEEDING to hold this book !
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.
Tuesday Thread, Let’s start to Sew that Quilt Block
Always remember that quilting has been done for hundreds of years and all the new gadgets are great. You can still do things very simply and fill your sewing closet with new innovations as your talent grows.
No need to purchase a rotary cutter and mat your first time out. Take your time and enjoy the sewing process.
My Quilt Patterns on Etsy, and NOW on Amazon
Things needed to start a quilt project:
A sewing machine that sews a straight line, borrow one or purchase one at a large chain store. No need to spend hundreds/thousands on a machine to straight stitch. OR Hand piecing can be done too. Everything is the same as a machine, but you hand stitch using the same ¼” seam allowance. I will share how to soon.
1)Graph Paper 2)Freezer Paper – Plastic coated paper, like the butcher’s wrap meat in. You can purchase it at your local store or if you ask they may give you some at your butcher counter 3)Glue stick 4)Iron 5)Gray thread 6)Ruler 7)Pencil 8)Basic sewing supplies, Scissors, thimble, sew riper, etc. 9)Needles – for hand piecing Sharps size 7-12, for quilting Between needles size 10-12 10)Sewing Pins 11) Fabric and Batting
Cutting – Rotary cutter, mat and ruler can be used if you have them. If you are new to quilting and are not sure you want to buy all these supplies try Freezer paper. It may be purchased at any grocery store. You will notice that one side is shiny, one not.
Draw the pattern pieces on to graph paper, the finished size, Add a ¼ inch seam allowance around the entire outside edge –the cutting line, the – – – line. The – – – – will be the sewing line
(example – 2 inch finished size cut square 2 ½” x 2 ½”) Cut pattern out
With a glue stick. Paste the pieces to the NON-shiny side of the freezer paper.
Cut the pattern out.
You can now iron the pattern to your fabric, shiny side down. This pattern can be used over and over. It will leave no film on your fabric.
At this point in quilting classes, it’s time to make a quilt block! Use the method, ruler/cutter or freezer paper.
Here is how to make a quilt square – A 4-patch quilt block
Cut 2 squares the same size (finished size of square plus 1/2 inch) example cut 2 ½ x 2 1/2″ inch seam allowance, sew Good side of fabric to good side of fabric Trim threads Open and Press to the dark
1)sew seam with a 1/4 inch seam allowance,
you may need to mark your machine with this measurement.
2) You can chain piece a few at a time Cut thread and open
3)sew these together
Watch your color placement, sew good side to good side.
The simple Log Cabin quilt block is one of the most beloved and timeless patterns in quilting. Built around a central square, this block grows outward with strips, or “logs,” added one at a time. I have changed it a bit with the added squares in the colors. A Log Cabin block brings warmth, tradition, and a comforting sense of home.
This a simple quilt pattern that has a finished size of eight inches by eight inches. All 68 of “The Ladies” quilt patterns are HERE
Quarter Square Triangle
