Aloha Ripple QAL – Week 3: Half Square Triangles!

Welcome to week 3 of our Aloha Ripple Quilt Along!!  This week we will be making lots and lots of half square triangles. (Download Pattern)

I love how versatile half square triangles are! You can make so many pretty designs using this basic block.

I like to make my Half Square Triangles with the 2 at 1 time method. If you have a different method you prefer, go for it! I like this method because all your finished edges will be straight grain and not on the bias.

To make the HST 2 at a time, I add 1 1/4 inch to the finished size HST. So our finished throw size HST will be 5 inches finished, so 5 + 1 1/4= 6 1/4 inches.
I like to give you plenty of wiggle room for when you are trimming your HST down to the correct size.

All of the 6 1/4 inch Main color squares will match up with 1 Background color square of the same size. (See the Aloha Ripple Quilt Pattern for amounts).

With right sides of fabric facing each other, lay one square on top of the other. Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally. You will then sew a scant 1/4 from the seam on both sides. (Since this size square gives you plenty of wiggle room a regular 1/4 seam would work, I have you sewing a scant 1/4 inch seam, so the whole pattern is consistent.)
Cut down the center, Set your seams with your iron, finger press them open and then press open. SEE BELOW.
IMPORTANT – You will need to then trim down all of your half square triangles to the correct size. The throw size will be 5 1/2 inches. You will want to make sure to line your center seam up with the 45 degree angle on your ruler to insure that your points line up when sewing.

Since trimming the half square triangles can take a long time, next week we will have a super quick and easy block! You can start trimming the HST’s this week and finish trimming the remaining ones next week.

LIVE VIDEO: Join me today (Tuesday Jan 30th) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) for a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.

Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post a photo of all your half square triangles!

Join the Facebook Group

Download Pattern

Next week we will make our first block, the Center Block!

Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:

Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea