Turn simple half-square triangle quilt blocks into 10 different baby quilts using our free baby quilt pattern and half square triangle quilt layout printable!
Earlier this year, I played around with some quilt layout ideas and snapped a few photos to share on my Instagram stories. I was surprised at how many people messaged me asking for more information about the quilt layouts I was considering.
Table of Contents
I created 64 half square triangle quilt blocks, arranged them into 8 rows with 8 blocks in each row, and then began rotating the blocks to create different layouts. It was fun to share the process on my IG stories, and I ended up answering quite a few DM’s regarding the layout ideas I was contemplating.
Did you know that simply rotating the direction of the seam of a half square triangle quilt block yields a totally different quilt pattern?
I thought today I’d share with you 10 SIMPLE Half Square triangle quilt layouts, along with a basic quilt pattern to create a 48″ square baby quilt.
All of the layouts are created with the SAME 64 blocks. The only thing that changes in each layout is the direction of the angles on the triangles.
First up a few basics.
What is a Half Square Triangle Quilt Block?
(fabrics in the quilt are from the Ahoy! Mermaids collection)
A Half Square Triangle quilt block is commonly referred to as an HST block (just a simple abbreviation). It comprises two right triangle fabric pieces that are sewn together along the hypotenuse (the long side). They are widely considered to be a building block for many other quilt blocks.
How to do Make an HST Block?
There are a hundred different ways to make a half-square triangle block. Each quilter you talk to probably has their own method. I’ve outlined my method step by step for you guys. I prefer this method because it allows you to make an HST block in ANY size that you’d like. It also allows a bit of “wiggle room” when trimming your blocks if your piecing wasn’t perfect (and mine rarely is!)
I like to create my hst blocks from 2 squares of fabric. I sew two seams, each ¼″ out from the diagonal center, then cut the squares apart and square them up. If you’d like more details, hop on over to the blog post.
What Size is the Finished Baby Quilt?
The baby quilt pattern I’m sharing with you today is 48″ x 48″. It comprises 8 blocks across and 8 down that are 6″ when finished (6 x 8 = 48). If you want your quilt larger or smaller, increase the size of the triangles or increase the number of the blocks!
Quilting Terminology Tip!
When quilt patterns refer to the size of a quilt block, they are usually referring to the FINISHED size of the block. The finished size of the block is the size the block is AFTER it is sewn into the final quilt.
So a 6 ½″ quilt block, sewn into a quilt becomes 6″ square (you lose ¼″ on each side when the block is sewn into the quilt). The blocks in today’s quilt are 6 ½″ square after you create them but are referred to as 6″ blocks since that is the size they are in the FINISHED quilt.
This summer quilt was also created using only half-square triangle blocks. It’s much larger than the baby quilt in today’s post. The blocks are 9″ when finished, and there are 8 blocks across and 10 blocks down in the quilt. See how that works? Pretty cool, huh!?
Half Square Triangle Quilt Layouts
Another example is this herringbone baby quilt. It is comprised of 9 rows with 6 blocks in each row. Each block is 6″ finished. All of the blocks are just simple half-square triangles!
I’ve taken the time to mock up 10 different quilt layouts using 64 half-square triangle blocks. This is just a small sampling of the arrangements you can make. I could keep going and think of at least another 10 layouts. But these are 10 that I love and think you will too.
Free Printable Layout Guide
I’ve created a printable with all 10 layouts. Print it off at home and use it as a reference as you create your quilt. Note: all of these layouts work with 8 across layouts.
If you fill out the form below, we will send you the printable.
Instructions
Half Square Triangle Baby Quilt Pattern
Equipment
supplies
- 7 7" x WOF* Strips of fabric in various prints. They do not all need to be the same print but should be the same color.
- 7 7" x WOF* Strips of fabric in various prints. They do not all need to be the same print but should be significantly different from the other strips of fabric- either lighter or darker.
- 1 ½ Yards 60" wide backing fabric OR
- 3 yards 42" wide backing fabric
- ⅜ yard Binding fabric
- 1 piece Batting at least 50" x 50"
Instructions
Cutting
- Cut your 7" wide strips of fabric into 7" squares. Cut 32 squares from your first color of fabric and 32 squares from the second color of fabric.
Create the Half Square Triangles
- Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 32 squares cut from lighter fabric.
- Layer one darker and one lighter square, right sides facing and stitch ¼" on each side of the line you drew.
- Cut apart along the line, and trim up to 6 ½" square. Repeat for all squares.
- For a step by step more detailed tutorial to create Half Square Triangles (along with a lot of tips) please visit our Half Square Triangle Tutorial.
Assemble Quilt
- Arrange the 64 sewn blocks into 8 rows with 8 blocks in each row. Refer to the printable for layout suggestions and ideas.
- Quilt and bind as desired.
Notes
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Barbara says
I love your work.
Carolyn Lewis says
I look forward to making your 1/2 square triangle baby block quilt. Thank you for the free pattern and all the different layouts for the blocks.
Carolyn
JoAnne Otto says
Thank you for sharing this pattern. I am excited to try it for a baby quilt.
Tammy says
Thank you so much for putting all these half-square triangle patterns in one place! You’ve got an eye for design. Thank you for sharing.