HALF RECTANGLE TRIANGLES

I was designing a pattern and wanted to share with you how I construct HRT "half rectangle triangles". The measurements and details I use here are specific for an upcoming pattern titled "Grandma's House", but you can get a idea of the procedure for any size HRT.

Cut 2 each of the main fabrics and background fabrics measuring 7 1/4" x 4 1/4".

You will lay them right sides together, left corner to right corner and then right corner to left corner. Then you will do the same for the bottom but opposite, right corner to left corner and left corner to the right. This is illustrated in the photo above. We will work with the bottom block first.

Mark a 1/2" dot in the top RIGHT corner and bottom LEFT corner on the BACK of the background fabric shown in the picture above and below.

Draw a line connecting the dots as shown in the picture above.

On your main fabric mark the dots in the top LEFT corner and bottom RIGHT corner on the right side of the fabric. Notice this in the pictures above and below. 

Line your dots up as shown above . Bottom LEFT corner to RIGHT corner. Pin as pictured below.

Using your drawn line as a guide, sew 1/4" from the line on the left side as the picture below shows.

You will also sew a line 1/4" from the drawn line on the right side as well. Do not sew directly on the drawn line.

In the image below, you will notice both completed seams on either side of the drawn line.

Now cut the pieces apart using the drawn line as your cutting guide.  Then press the seams open to the darker fabric. You will now have two completed HRTs.

This is a trick I learned and love. I marked my ruler with a sharpie to make it easier to square up my half rectangle triangles. Don't worry nail polish remover will get it off.

Square your rectangle up to 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" for this particular pattern.

That's it.... yay! You will complete the other block in the exact same manner but will use the opposite corners for marking and pinning. You can see this in the photo below.

There are lots of things you can do with these blocks just by themselves. Check out the different options below. The possibilities are almost endless!