Easily Sew 1/2-Square Triangles

How to make 1/2-square triangles the easy way by Nancy Zieman

Easily Sew 1/2-Square Triangles

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How to make 1/2-square triangles the easy way by Nancy ZiemanOne of the easiest places to start quilting is with a 1/2-square triangle. I’ll show you how to create this traditional quilting staple without fussing around bias-cut edges. Make the block unit easily, the no-hassle way, in this week’s episode of Sewing With Nancy, which features blocks from my book, No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks.

During the first episode on Sewing With Nancy, learn to create six different blocks, all made with 1/2-square triangles. During the second episode—next week’s feature—learn about 1/4-square triangles. Here’s a sneak peek into this week’s Sewing With Nancy episode!

The Box Quilt (1898)

One of the more streamline quilt blocks to create from 1/2-square triangles is the Box Quilt. First illustrated in print in 1898, it’s created with eight 1/2-square triangle blocks and a square. The design has great movement, reminding me of a pinwheel.

How to Make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy Zieman

Shadow Play

Instead of making all the 1/2-square triangles from the same fabrics, stitch together three different color combos. I call this block, Shadow Play, where the fabric choices create the impact.

How to Make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy ZiemanGodey Design

Godey’s Lady’s Book was a monthly magazine published in Philadelphia between 1830 and 1876. Before the Civil War, it was the most widely circulated magazine in the United States. Sarah Josepha Hall was the editor of the magazine from 1837 to 1877; she also wrote Mary Had a Little Lamb. One of the designs featured in the magazine in 1858 was simply called, Godey Design.

How to Make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy Zieman

Square in a Square

When researching quilt block names, I found literally dozens of quilt blocks named Square in a Square. With seemingly limitless geometric options with squares, no wonder it’s a common name. Regardless, it’s an attractive block all designed with 1/2-square triangles.

How to make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy Zieman

May Basket

May Basket is another frequently used name for a quilt block. I also found this block named, Cactus Flower. Your fabric choice will dictate the name. This version combines two sizes of finished triangles: 3-1/2″ and 6-1/2″, giving the block a center focal point.

How to make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy Zieman

Nancy’s Spool

This block may or may not be an original arrangement of 1/2-square triangles. My guess is that it has been created before, but since I couldn’t find it in print, I boldly named it Nancy’s Spool.

How to make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy Zieman

How to Make 1/2-Square Triangles

During the TV episode, I share how to easily make the above blocks as well as basic 2-1/2″, 3-1/2″, 4-1/2″, 5-1/2″ and 6-1/2″ half-square triangles. (Next week, learn 1/4-square triangle tips!) There’s no hassle and no need to cut a single triangle! The measurements are printed on the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge that I designed for Clover.

Nancy Zieman No Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover Needlecraft

Nancy Zieman No Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover Left Side IMG_4158

Nancy Zieman No Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover IMG_4203

  • Lay the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge onto squares to double-check the block size. If the block set is larger or smaller than the confines of the gauge, recut the blocks.

Nancy Zieman No Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover IMG_4137

Nancy Zieman No Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover IMG_4142

  • Stitch a scant 1/4″ from each side of the center marking.

Nancy Zieman No Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover IMG_4144

  • Cut along the center diagonal line.

Nancy Zieman No-Hassle Triangle Gauge from Clover IMG_4988

  • Presto, there are now two accurate 1/2-square triangles!

Nancy Zieman No Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover IMG_4152

Just click and watch No-Hassle Triangle Quilts online! You’ll see all the details for creating these six precision-made quilt blocks.

Make This Sampler Quilt at Home

The No-Hassle Triangles Quilt book shows exactly how to make the 12-block sampler quilt. Hint: the remaining six blocks will be featured next week. For best results, use the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge

How to make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy Zieman

Watch No-Hassle Triangles (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.


Bye for now,

Nancy Zieman The Blog

Content in this feed is © copyright 2016 by Nancy Zieman and may not be republished without written permission. You’re welcome to forward the email to a friend or colleague but it’s not okay to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website.
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115 Comments

  • judith ritsch
    April 7, 2016

    love Nancys spool but i really love all the squares

  • Dawn
    April 7, 2016

    I love the Shadow Play block. I would really like to try a sampler quilt and this tool would help with that. Thanks for the chance to win it!

  • Gloria Pullin
    April 7, 2016

    I like Nancy’s Spools because I’ve never seen this before.

  • Kimberley Martin
    April 7, 2016

    I am drawn to the May Basket block. It reminds me a lot of a Bear Paw, too. With April showers and May flowers on the way, a May Basket also makes me think of Spring. 🙂

  • Susan b
    April 7, 2016

    I like the godey design. I like that you can mark everything with the guide.

  • Pat
    April 7, 2016

    I loved Nancy’s Spool. I’m looking for a cute block pattern for a wall hanging for my sewing room, and Nancy’s Spool should fit the bill.

  • Carlene
    April 7, 2016

    I am torn between the Box Quilt block and Godey Design – guess I’ll just have to give both a try – What a concept!

  • Lori
    April 7, 2016

    I love the box square but I love pinwheels. So I would make an entire quilt with that block

  • Terry
    April 7, 2016

    My favorite would be Nancy’s Spool, I love those blocks, they are so very cute

  • Cyndi
    April 7, 2016

    I love the versatility of the square in a square!

    Thank you for the giveaway!

  • diane c
    April 7, 2016

    I like them all and could see doing a quilt using all of them

  • JoD
    April 7, 2016

    SQUARE in a SQUARE absolutely could lose you in a quilt. I love it.

  • Nancy B
    April 7, 2016

    I love Nancy’s Spool, I’m a Nancy too.

  • Jackie Lamberty
    April 7, 2016

    I would love this ruler. May basket is my favorite.

  • LoAnn
    April 7, 2016

    Godey Design. I love stars!

  • Jan
    April 7, 2016

    May Basket and Nancy’s Spool

  • Ny Nelson
    April 7, 2016

    Love stars so Godey block is my favorite.

  • Ny Nelson
    April 7, 2016

    Love stars so Godey block is my favorite. Amazing the blocks that can be done with half square triangles. 🙂

  • Ny Nelson
    April 7, 2016

    Amazing the blocks that can be done with half square triangles. The godly block is my favorite. 🙂

  • Ny Nelson
    April 7, 2016

    Amazing the blocks that can be done with half square triangles. Can’t wait to try them all. 🙂

  • Mary Lou
    April 7, 2016

    I would be inclined to make the Box Quilt because it seems to be the one to work up quickly and has clean lines. But the one that looks so complicated and impressive is the Square in the Square, and I would make that one too knowing yur method would simplify the process.

  • Deb M
    April 7, 2016

    I love the Box Quilt square and the Fall table runner project you created using that square!

  • linda buzzar
    April 7, 2016

    i like the godey block best. its a cool, easy way to make beautiful stars.

  • Sue Dodson
    April 7, 2016

    I like especially the Nancy’s spool because it is unique and you don’t see it very often. I’m thinking of making me a quilt for my bedroom using the pattern; if I win.

  • Pat
    April 7, 2016

    The Godey Design is my favorite. Thanks for the chance to win.

  • CAROL L.
    April 7, 2016

    The Godey block is my favorite. All of the blocks are beautiful and look so complicated and difficult to master. I had no idea that this wonderful tool and Nancy’s tutorial make it so easy and doable! I will definitely try to make sample blocks of each of them.

  • Pam K
    April 7, 2016

    I like the Godey design because it makes a star and I love quilts with stars in them.

  • Brenda Ackerman
    April 7, 2016

    Shadow Play is my choice. I will be watching this series and learning how to create these fantastic blocks. Thank you for the opportunity to win this awesome giveaway!

  • Evelyn Ware
    April 7, 2016

    The Godey Design is definitely my favorite. I would like to make it since I have never made a whole quilt using a star block. You make such great quilting tools to make quilting easier!

  • Kathy
    April 7, 2016

    Love the box quilt block. Would like to see it in as the only block in a whole quilt to see the movement

  • Virginia O'Donnell
    April 7, 2016

    I really like the fabric you”ve used for all of them but Shadow Play is my favorite because of the contrast.

  • Cheryl
    April 7, 2016

    My favorite is the Godey design. Thanks for the mini history lesson about it. I like knowing the origin of the design for quilt blocks. Part of the reason I love to make quilts is their connection to the past.

  • Tammy Kazmierczak
    April 7, 2016

    I loved the Godey design. The history you added was a wonderful bonus. I do love reading your blog. Thank you.

  • Rosamond Corwin
    April 7, 2016

    My favorite is the Godey design. But I loved them all. Love the tool and your tutorial. Your tools make quilting so much easier.

  • Cathy Gregoire
    April 7, 2016

    I like the Godey Design. But they are all nice.

  • Maria Hart
    April 7, 2016

    Oh, how to pick just one favorite block!?
    I especially love Shadow Play.
    It is a block that makes my grandsons really study.

  • Evelyn McGavin
    April 7, 2016

    Nanc’s spool is my favorite

  • Leslie
    April 7, 2016

    I love triangle squares! Hmm, how to choose a favorite? I pick May Basket because I’ve always wanted to make one, but all the squares are wonderful. I would love to make a sampler quilt with them.

  • Jacquelyn Ayers
    April 7, 2016

    Nancy’s spool is the most interesting-looks like two butterflies alongside the spool

  • Deborah A Herold
    April 7, 2016

    I have to say the box quilt block is my favorite, simple, simple, and simple again. Love the movement in it.

  • Mary Medlang
    April 7, 2016

    Godey Design is my favorite

  • Rose Pullen
    April 7, 2016

    As a new quilter this tool would be great for me. I also enjoy watching your videos on how to. I am looking forward to next weeks post.

  • Kathy
    April 7, 2016

    Love the godley design but I like the square in a square even more.

  • Mary B
    April 7, 2016

    The Godey design, I too love the history. I find it fascinating that a woman was an editor for forty yrs on the most widely circulated magazine of its time when women held very few professional jobs. It’s still a very classic design seen in many variations in today’s quilts, more than one of your blocks have a long history. Thanks so much for the reminder of the history of many current design’s beginnings.

  • Candace W
    April 7, 2016

    All of them look easy to do! I have never attempted piecing so I need to take a deep breath and just go for it!

  • Bonnye
    April 7, 2016

    The godey design is the one I liked best. However all the blocks are nice.

  • Carol P
    April 7, 2016

    I like the square in a square block. I would not make it the same way. I would only use the 1/2 square triangle on the 4 corners. I don’t like the same fabric pieced in a block, if there is some other way of making it. I would cut 4 pieces of pink, not 8 and one of the black not 4. A lot less work, same outcome.

  • Jennie
    April 7, 2016

    My favorite is the Godley Design.

  • Theresa W
    April 7, 2016

    I love all the blocks and can’t wait to make them all after I get this fabulous tool. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  • Judy Kirkpatrick
    April 7, 2016

    I like the box quilt because it does have movement. I’m quilting for teens and I think they’ll like this pattern. We once lived in a house built in 1876, and this could be part of the times.

  • Kay
    April 7, 2016

    I like May Basket. Would love to make an all basket quilt.

  • Karen
    April 7, 2016

    I really like the ‘Nancy’s Spool” I have not seen that one before, and I think it would make a great overall pattern as well as a single block. Thanks so much.

  • beth
    April 7, 2016

    I like the Nancy’s spool. Love the half square triangles.

  • Bernita L
    April 7, 2016

    I really love the Godey block and the history behind it. Thanks for all the wonderful shows, etc. Nancy. You are a gem!

  • Laurie Weimar
    April 7, 2016

    I like the Godey design, but I also like the simplicity of the Box quilt.

  • Marilyn Jaye
    April 7, 2016

    I really like the square in a square although the others all have wonderful possibilities. But today, square in a square is the favorite. The tool is neat!

  • Heidi Heath
    April 7, 2016

    Definitely the box quilt block. Love the tie to history. Love the simple complexity of the look.

  • Linda Rupe
    April 7, 2016

    All are such fun! But I LOVE the Nancy’s Spool block. Definitely my favorite!

  • Lois Williams
    April 7, 2016

    I love that there are so many possibilities with triangles, but the nay basket really struck me as I need to make a quilt for my basket weaving daughter and that looks like it wold be ideal. Really need the ruler if I am going to get it done. Also liked the Nancy’s spool.

  • Aimee
    April 7, 2016

    I like the ying yang feel of Shadow Play!

  • Cheryl Wilkinson
    April 7, 2016

    I like them all, but my very favorite is the Godey design. It’s so much easier than it looks. Would love to win this tool to help me with the triangles. Thanks for the opportunity!

  • Agnetta Person
    April 7, 2016

    I love the easiness of the complicated looking Godey Design.

  • Liz R
    April 7, 2016

    Love these blocks. Never knew how to make them. Book and half triangle marker would be great to have.

  • jacquelyn holmes
    April 7, 2016

    I’ve always been a sucker for star designs, so it would be the Godey design.

  • Kathie
    April 7, 2016

    I like them all! What a pretty quilt top! My favorite though has to be the Godey block…I have a thing for stars. 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win!

  • Barbara
    April 7, 2016

    I love all the blocks, and what a surprise that they are all made with the same technique. The one I want to try first is the May basket.

  • Mary Van Kleeck
    April 7, 2016

    They are all beautiful but I like Nancy’s Spool the best!!!

  • Tina
    April 7, 2016

    I like the Godey design best. Love how versatile hst are!

  • Vicki McCarron
    April 7, 2016

    My favorite is the box quilt block. I want to make it large on a small quilt.

  • Dora
    April 7, 2016

    Nancy’s Spool is my favorite. HSTs are so versatile!

  • Kathy Renz
    April 7, 2016

    My favorite is Nancy’s spool. I think it is a tribute to those of us who love to sew. Being a math teacher, the infinite geometry of square in a square makes it a close second.

  • Jan N.
    April 7, 2016

    Square in a square is my choice.

  • Marilyn M
    April 7, 2016

    I like Godey Design the best.

  • Christine
    April 7, 2016

    Giddy Design is my favorite and one that I’d like to try to make.

  • Christine
    April 7, 2016

    Godey Design is my favorite and one that I’d like to try to make.

  • Gail Beam
    April 7, 2016

    I guess the godey design is my favorite, although I really like the shadow play and May basket quilt designs too. These blocks look like they could be made by a beginner, such as myself, using Nancy’s No Hassle triangle ruler .

  • Mary
    April 7, 2016

    I can picture some of my fabrics in the Godey design!

  • Karen
    April 7, 2016

    The box quilt block as I like movement!

  • MarLane Dows
    April 7, 2016

    The May Basket block is perfect to welcome spring.

  • Carolyn
    April 7, 2016

    I really like the Godey Design and the tool would assure exactness.

  • Pam
    April 7, 2016

    I love the box quilt block!

  • Mary Wippold
    April 7, 2016

    I like stars. My favorite block is the Godey Design.

  • Margaret Fohr
    April 7, 2016

    The Godey design is my favorite. Interesting and looks complicated, altho it really isn’t. Thank you for that.

  • Nelda
    April 7, 2016

    I am fond of all the star-like blocks, so I selected Godey Design. Your guide has to make creating any of these blocks a breeze.

  • Nancy E Johnson
    April 7, 2016

    Godly Design is my fav.

  • Debra
    April 7, 2016

    I love all the blocks, but my favorite is NANCY’S SPOOL! I just catches my eye.. Love it.. and I would use the Clover’s Triangle gauge everyday. Thanks for the chance to win..

  • Karen
    April 7, 2016

    Love them all, but Nancy’s Spool is my favorite. Going to make a wall quilt for my sewing room featuring this block! Would love to learn how to use the triangle tool for making all my 1/2 square triangles.

  • Lillian K
    April 7, 2016

    I really like Godey Design quilt block.

  • Mary Grace Ronan
    April 8, 2016

    I love the Nancy spools

  • Margie V.
    April 8, 2016

    All the blocks are interesting but I like the Godey design best –the fabric choices make it shine!

  • Margie V.
    April 8, 2016

    I like the Godey design best – the fabrics make it shine!

  • Ruth Purvis
    April 8, 2016

    I love the Godey square. I have a problem with the points in this square and hope the No Hassels Triangles Guage will help me overcome this problem.

  • Enid
    April 8, 2016

    Godey Design and May Basket

  • Faith Berg
    April 8, 2016

    I like the Godey design best. I like the star design and I love the history behind it. The No-Hassle Triangle Ruler would make it so easy to make.

  • Charlee Turner
    April 8, 2016

    Square in a Square

  • Martha
    April 8, 2016

    I love the Godey block. All the squares just might find their way into a quilt for my Granddaughter’s wedding quilt.

  • Starla
    April 8, 2016

    My favorite is the Godey design — I like making star variations.

  • Debbie W
    April 8, 2016

    The Godey Design and Square in a Square are my favorites.

  • Arlean Fry
    April 8, 2016

    I like the Godey as it is a little different from what I have
    seen before.

  • Helen Stewart
    April 8, 2016

    I like the May basket as it reminds me of taking May baskets to neighbors as a little girl. The guide would be a very useful tool.

  • Lynda Saint-Merat
    April 8, 2016

    The Box Quilt block for me – I adore pinwheel blocks.

  • Peggy Winifred
    April 8, 2016

    I like the Godey Design and as a novice quilter I think I might be able to do this one up as a table runner, using just 48 squares, 2 1/2 inches, on 3 triangles.

  • Lisa
    April 8, 2016

    I like the box quilt design.

  • Judi
    April 9, 2016

    I like the Godey design best. The stars lead in yo next block making a continued color “wave””.

  • Brenda
    April 9, 2016

    I really like Nancy’s spool.

  • Connie Rademacher
    April 10, 2016

    I love the May Basket block. Gives us some hope here in far Northeast Wisconsin that spring will come one day… despite the fact that I am looking outside right now at a snow storm and a foot of snow on the ground!

  • kate
    April 11, 2016

    When I saw the may basket, I immediately thought of the cake stand block.

  • Nancy Johnson
    April 14, 2016

    I love the Godey design.

  • Barbara Watson
    April 15, 2016

    My favorite block would be the Boys Nonsense. And our quilt group just gave a 1/2 square triangle challenge for us. Thanks Nancy, perfect timing.

  • Edith Gorzo
    April 15, 2016

    I had trouble deciding which one I liked best, but picked Godey Design. I just love the print fabric you are using.

  • Karen
    April 15, 2016

    I love Nancy’s Spool the best. I think a wall hanging with Nancy’s Spool, Card Trick and Godey Design would be perfect for my sewing room!

  • Karen Payton
    April 17, 2016

    I really like the nancyes spool block for a mini quilt for my sewing room!

  • Karen Payton
    April 17, 2016

    I really like nancyes spool block

  • B.Oleson
    April 20, 2016

    I really like the “Shadow Play”. I think it would look really neat with 3 colors one shade lower than the first and then one lower from that.

  • Connie Wood
    April 21, 2016

    Love Nancy’s spool! HST and QST are my favorites.

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