If you would like to keep your directional fabric in the same orientation when you are piecing with half-square triangles (HSTs), this is a quick reference you can use for determining how to sew your two-at-a-time HST blocks. Note that this is not a detailed two-at-a-time HST tutorial but a supplements for creating HSTs using that method when working with directional prints.
Step 1
Determine the direction you want your directional prints to run. This is likely going to be based on how the width of fabric (WOF) cuts of your fabrics are oriented.
Directional Print Examples
Top: Robert Kaufman Fabrics / Carolyn Friedlander, Botanics, Hand Drawn Stripes in Fern – the directional print runs horizontally across WOF.
Bottom: Free Spirit Fabrics / Joel Dewberry, True Colors, Woodgrain in Teal – the directional print runs vertically across WOF.
Step 2
Step 2
Place the first square face up with the directional fabric in the WOF orientation.
Step 3
Step 3
If the second print is a directional print that runs vertically, place it (right sides together) on top of the first square with the direction running horizontally. Mark a line from the upper left to the lower right corners.*
If the second print is a directional print that runs horizontally, place it (right sides together) on top of the first square with the direction running vertically. Mark a line from the upper left to the lower right corners.*
*Note – if your piecing requires that the HST seam run from the lower left to the upper right corner, you would mark from the lower left to the upper right instead. The direction you mark the diagonal line will se the direction of your HST seam.
Step 4
Finished HST
Follow remaining two-at-a-time HST piecing instructions.
Example of Piecing with Directional Prints – Triangle Transparency
Linking up with Tips and Tutorials Tuesday.
Great info, Yvonne. I always have trouble with direction of HSTs. Thank you.
Very interesting. Thank you for that tip. So simple but very helpful.
Thanks so much Yvonne. Will save this for future reference.
Great tutorial~ I usual do trial and error… serendipity if they work! I need to file this with my HST size info. Thank you!
I always love your attention to detail. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for explaining it, I had to figure it out by trial and error once, next time I’ll be prepared))
I think this is one of the more difficult things to learn and to remember to practice when you’re creating a quilt. Thanks for this great tutorial!
Thanks for this tip. I usually pin them, flip and peek, sew the wrong way, rip, and redo.
What a great tip Yvonne! I most likely would have done a dozen before I ever figured it out!!
This is a great tutorial to keep on hand. I usually forget how it goes and have to make a HST or two to remember the correct orientations of the fabrics.
This is really helpful – thanks! I’m going to link to it in my next newsletter….
Thanks so much! This tip will definitely help in the future. Trying to figure out something like this would make my head hurt.
Great tip, Yvonne! I’ve often avoided directional prints because I couldn’t figure out how to make sure they’d be going the way I wanted. I’m sure I’ll be back sometime to use this tip, with fabric in hand!
Thanks! I’m always getting them confused, when the pattern calls to do squares and then cut into 4 HST’s that’s when the trouble starts, so they end up in 2 different blocks!