Easy HST Strip Quilt {tutorial}

A while back my friend Sara (@saracecilquilts) posted a picture on Instagram of a quilt she made from 2.5" strips.  It was darling, and she graciously shared her cutting dimensions with me.  After doing a bit of figuring, I came up with {rough} dimensions for 3 sizes: baby, throw and twin. 
It's such a fast and fun quilt to sew together.  Not to mention, a super-cute way to use up leftover strips. (or start with a brand-new jelly roll!)

I've only made the twin size so far (I adore quilts that can be used on beds!), but plan on making many more of these quilts as my leftover strips multiply. 

The instructions below aren't super comprehensive, but you'll get the general idea. =)

 

Tutorial for:
EASY Half-Square-Triangle (HST)
 STRIP QUILT

*finished block size 7.5"

*1/4" scant seam allowance

*WOF = width of fabric

*HST = half square triangle

 

NOTES:

- I don't have calculations for how much fabric you'll need, but you can figure that out.  I used a combination of leftover 2.5" scraps, and full 2.5" x WOF jelly roll strips.  For full strips, after sewing 4 together, I sub-cut them into 8.5" squares, which made it go really fast!

-If using 2.5" strips that are WOF , you can get four (or five) 8.5" strip squares out of each full strip set (4 strips sewn together).  (4 is conservative; 5 if strips have a min. of 42.5" usable fabric)

Baby/Crib Size (37.5" x 45")

- 5 blocks across x 6 down = 30 blocks (15 squares of each - strips & solid)

Throw Size: 

60" x 75" = 8 blocks across x 10 down = 80 blocks (40 squares of each - strips & solid)

68" x 75.5" = 9 blocks across x 10 down = 90 blocks (45 squares of each - strips & solid)

Twin Size: (67.5" x 90")

9 blocks across x 12 down = need 108 blocks (54 squares of each - strips & solid)

If you can get 5 per WOF (42.5"):

-make 11 WOF strip sets,

-cut 11 WOF solid strips,

If you can get 4 per WOF:

-make 14 WOF strip sets

-cut 14 WOF solid strips

 

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING BLOCKS:

1)  Sew (4) 2.5" strips together, trim to 8.5" squares.
2)  Cut white/solid 8.5" squares, mark line diagonally
3)  Place solid square with strip square.  Sew 1/4" on either side of diagonal line (make sure you pay attention to the direction of your strips - keep them going the same direction when you sew them to the solid square!)
4) cut apart on the drawn line, yeilding (2) 8" squares

[for info on stripe binding fabric, click here]

 

If you make one of these quilts yourself, be sure to tag us on your IG picture!

 sara (@saracecilquilts) and me @redrainbootshandmade

 

Black Stripe Binding

I'm rather obsessed with the fresh look that a black stripe binding adds to so many of the different quilts (here and here) and SewTogetherBags I've made recently.  It's my go-to binding for most projects. 

I've had been asked quite often about which stripe I use and where I buy it.
The answer is: I used 2 different stripes, and I usually buy them from fabric.com or Hobby Lobby.

small stripe

large stripe

The smaller stripe I use is by Timeless Treasures, and you can find it numerous places online.  I usually get it (here) from Fabric.com, but I also noticed Hobby Lobby carries it, too!  I buy it multiple yards at a time.   =)  It adds a bit softer contrast, while still being fresh, classic, and unexpected.

The larger stripe is Michael Miller Clown Stripe, and gives a more dramatic contrast and flare.   (Also bought here at fabric.com)

So there you go.  Now if you've been looking for some of the "famous" black stripe binding fabric, now you can get what you're looking for.