We'll tell you all you need to know to piece simple half square triangle (HST) blocks and create a relaxing quilt with a calming colour palette and subtle movement.
Notes
- Press all fabrics well before cutting.
- Seam allowances are ¼ in, unless otherwise noted.
- HST = Half-square Triangle.
- RST = right sides together.
- WOF = width of fabric.
- WST = wrong sides together.
You will need
- Solid white fabric (includes binding): 31⁄8yds
- Grey print fabric: ¾yd
- Mint print fabric: ½yd
- Mauve print fabric: ½yd
- Backing fabric: 66in square (extra-wide fabric or pieced)
- Batting: 66in square
Finished size
60in square approx
Fabrics used
- Grey print: Carkai, Grid Bits in Titanium by Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman.
- Mint print: Aqua Allotment from Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis for Robert Kaufman.
- Mauve print: Wildwood Mushrooms in Dusty Aubergine by Dashwood Studio.
How to make the quilt
Cutting out
Step one From the solid white fabric cut:
- Seven (7) 2½in x WOF strips.
- Six (6) 3½in x WOF strips.
- Fourteen 3½in x WOF strips. Subcut to give one-hundred and sixty-eight (168) 3½in squares.
- Three (3) 6½in x WOF strips. Subcut to give thirteen (13) 6½in squares.
Step two From grey print fabric cut:
- Four (4) 3½in x WOF strips. Subcut to give forty (40) 3½in squares.
- One (1) 6½in x WOF strip. Subcut to give five (5) 6½in squares.
Step three From each of the mint print and mauve prints fabrics cut:
- Three (3) 3½in x WOF strips. Subcut to give thirty-two (32) 3½in squares.
- One (1) 6½in x WOF strip. Subcut to give four (4) 6½in squares.
Make the half square triangles
Step four Take one white and one print 6½in square and place them RST. Sew a ¼in seam around all four sides.
Step five Cut across both diagonals from corner-to-corner to create four triangles.
Step six Open out the triangles and press, and then trim each HST to 3½in square, making sure the seam runs diagonally from corner to corner.
Step seven Repeat steps 4–6 for the remaining 6½in white and print squares. Keep the HSTs from the same print fabrics together.
How to piece the quilt top
Step eight Referring to the layout diagram below, arrange your HSTs and 3½in squares into eighteen rows of eighteen units each. The HSTs and print squares are arranged to create a star-like pattern, so take care with the orientation of the HSTs.
Modern Mint quilt layout
Step nine Join the units into rows and then join the rows to complete the quilt centre, which should measure 54½in square.
Step 10 Join three 3½in x WOF white strips end-to-end with straight seams and subcut to give two 54½in x 3½in strips. Join to the top and bottom of the quilt centre.
Step 11 Join three 3½in x WOF white strips end-to-end with straight seams and subcut to give two 3½in x 60½in strips. Join to each side of the quilt centre.
Quilting and finishing
Step 12 Make a quilt sandwich by placing the backing fabric right side down, the batting on top, then the quilt top centrally and right side up. The backing and batting are slightly larger than the quilt top. Baste the layers together using your preferred method.
Step 13 Quilt as desired. Lou straight-line quilted around each star-like shape.
Step 14 Trim the excess batting and backing level with the quilt top edges and square up the quilt.
Step 15 Sew the binding strips together end-to-end using diagonal seams. Press the seams open and trim away the dog ears. Fold in half lengthwise, WST, and press.
Step 16 Sew the binding to the right side of the quilt, folding a mitre at each corner, then fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and then hand stitch in place to finish.
You can find more of Lou's beautiful quilts over on her blog, imstudiolou.wordpress.com or follow her on Instagram @louorthdesigns
