Welcome to Week Four!
Half Square Triangles (HSTs)
There are a few different ways to make HSTs. In this pattern we are making them 8 at a time. Although I give plenty of room for trimming, I recommend sewing them with a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. If you’re not familiar with a scant 1/4″ seam, it’s a seam that’s a needle’s width smaller than a 1/4″. On my machine, I usually move the needle a little to the right.
TIP: This is another block where starching comes in handy! It will help prevent these HSTs from stretching since they are cut on the bias.
Marking Your Fabric: There are several ways to mark your background squares. I either use a fabric pencil (for bigger blocks) or diagonal seam tape. Using the diagonal seam tape is the fastest way because you don’t have to mark your fabric! I also always pin my squares together to prevent the fabric from shifting.
To use the diagonal seam tape, place the tape on your machine and line up the red line with your needle. When you sew, align both the top and bottom corners with the blue line on the right side of the tape. As you stitch, keep the corners aligned.
Trimming HSTs: I’ve tried a few methods to trim HSTs, but my favorite one so far is using the Clearly Perfect Slotted Half Square Triangle Trimmer.
When using this tool, you trim the HSTs before pressing. Line up the dashed line of the size you need to trim your HST to on the ruler with your sewn seam. Trim on both sides of the triangle then trim the dog-ears.
TIP: I recommend pressing your seams open throughout the pattern because of the amount of seams in each block. This way your blocks will lay flatter. It also helps to use a tailor’s clapper!
Watch me trim a Half square triangle!
This Week's Sponsors & Prizes
The prize for Week Four of the Lava Blooms Sew Along is a surprise Modern Makes box from Alderwood Studio and this stunning fat quarter bundle from Great Heron Thread Co.!
To be eligible for this week’s prize, post a photo to Instagram of your HSTs by 8pm PST on February 13th and use the hashtag #LavaBloomsQuiltSA in your caption! A winner will be randomly chosen on February 14th! Remember that your account must be public to participate.
Trim those HSTs and I'll see you next week!
Sylvia
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