Half Rectangle Triangle Tutorial
This tutorial is for Half Rectangle Triangles or HRT’s. This will add another tool to your quilting toolbox and hopefully you will be able to create some fun modern quilts using the HRT.
This tutorial will result in 4.5 x 6.5″ final block size so that you can easily follow along to learn this technique but, ANY SIZE rectangle will work as long as you use the same size rectangles.
Supplies
2 – 5 x 7” pieces of fabric
Fabric Marking Pen/Pencil
Rotary Cutter & Mat
Ruler
Directions
1. On wrong side of one piece of fabric, draw a diagonal line from the upper right corner to the lower left corner of the fabric.
2. Place the two fabrics right sides together with the marked fabric on top
3. Lift the top piece and rotating slightly match the upper right corner to the upper left corner of the bottom piece of fabric. Match the lower left corner of the top fabric to the lower right corner of the bottom fabric. If desired, pin lightly to hold in place.
4. Using the diagonal drawn line as your guide sew seams ¼” on either side of the drawn line.
5. Using your rotary cutter and ruler cut along the drawn diagonal line.
6. Open each new rectangle and press your seams open. Square up to 4.5 x 6.5″ for a final block size of 4 x 6″ when sewn together.
7. Now you have two HRT’s ready to be used.
Note: Unlike Half Square Triangles, your diagonal line will be in the same orientation on both of your finished Half Rectangle Triangles no matter how you turn it. To make a set of Half Rectangle Triangles with a diagonal line in the opposite direction you will have to reverse the above steps.
Directions for Opposite HRT
1. On the wrong side of one piece of fabric, draw your diagonal line from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.
2. Place the two fabrics right sides together with the marked fabric on top.
3. Lift the top piece and rotating slightly match the upper left corner to the upper right corner of the bottom piece of fabric. Match the lower right corner of the top fabric to the lower left corner of the bottom fabric. If desired, pin lightly to hold in place.
4. Using the diagonal drawn line as your guide, sew seams ¼” on either side of the drawn line.
5. Using your rotary cutter and ruler cut along the drawn diagonal line.
6. Open each new rectangle and press your seams open. Square up to 4.5 x 6.5″ for a final block size of 4 x 6″ when sewn together.
As with Half Square Triangles, Half Rectangle Triangles can be used in countless arrangements to make fun and interesting quilts.
Here is a glimpse of a quick quilt top that was put together to show the versatility of the HRT! We hope you enjoy playing with this block and come up with some fun new quilt designs.
January 8, 2012 at 4:46 am |
I had no idea this was so easy to do this way! Thank you so much!
January 8, 2012 at 8:12 am |
So easy, once you see how it’s done. Thanks so much, a new technique to add to the arsenal!
January 8, 2012 at 8:36 am |
have been quilting for a long time and have never seen this technique. can’t wait to try it!
January 8, 2012 at 9:43 am |
Never thought of this…thank you so much for teaching us this!! Love it and now know what I’m going to do next with some left over pieces.
January 8, 2012 at 9:55 am |
I LOVE this! It’s so simple, but something I probably never would have thought of. Thanks for sharing!
January 8, 2012 at 12:47 pm |
This is brilliant! Can’t believe I’ve never seen this before (or realized how it was done). And different size/proportioned rectangles will make an infinite number of unique designs! How cool! Thanks MQG!
January 8, 2012 at 2:10 pm |
Love this idea – something to do with being a math teacher as well as a quilter. Great stash buster idea.
January 8, 2012 at 10:57 pm |
I’ve ALWAYS struggled with half rectangles. I’m blown away how easy this is! GENIUS! And the grey-pinky-yellow-red combo… GORGEOUS!
January 8, 2012 at 11:35 pm |
I am having a major “duh!!” moment. The is soooo awesome. Thank you!
January 9, 2012 at 12:34 am |
Thank you so much for this very cool tutorial. I’m echoing Joan S. I have been quilting a long time and have never seen this before. My test pieces were cut at 7″ by 4″ and I ended up with 6 1/2″ by 3 1/2″. I’m off to make some more!
January 9, 2012 at 7:08 am |
Ah!!! You can do it this way! Way too easy! Love it.
January 9, 2012 at 8:10 am |
This is really helpful. Thanks
January 9, 2012 at 2:03 pm |
This is so neat! I made up a couple and love them. Thanks for sharing!
January 9, 2012 at 3:08 pm |
I’ve been waiting for just the right shapes for my christmas fabric. I have a stack of fat quarters of solids with gold pattern printed on them. It will be excellent against black! Thanks!!
January 10, 2012 at 7:09 pm |
So simple compared to other techniques I’ve used. Thanks.
January 12, 2012 at 7:16 pm |
LOVE this! Thanks so much.
January 16, 2012 at 7:41 am |
Brilliant! Will make these so much easier.
February 7, 2012 at 8:02 am |
Super block
March 2, 2012 at 12:22 am |
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, and making it easy to follow! Great stuff
April 10, 2012 at 6:25 am |
Fantastic block. Thanks for sharing. I love using quick methods and sharing them with my quilt guild. May I use this for the block of the month to be published in our guild newsletter giving you full credit for the block?
April 22, 2012 at 8:41 am |
Love this, thanks