Patchwork Essentials: The Half-Square Triangle

It is finally time for me to fill you in on the details of my book, Patchwork Essentials: The Half-Square Triangle! If you missed my post on how and why I ended up writing a book, don't forget to check that out (here: My Author Journey). It's been a little nerve wracking thinking about writing this post, I have certainly been overthinking it. Then I remembered, this doesn't have to be the only post I write about it, it's just the beginning!


Basting the Convergence quilt in the lunchroom in Michael's lab building.

When I set out to write this book, I had a lot of ideas about what I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be more than a book filled with patterns, I wanted it to have a greater purpose. I really tried to be intentional about creating not only a book of quilt patterns, but a resource on the subject of half-square triangles. In my classes and patterns, I try to make sure that you're getting your money's worth. This may mean multiple quilt sizes in my self-published patterns, customizing instructions or "pro tips" as we like to call them in class. I thought a lot about this when writing Patchwork Essentials. Half-square triangles are a basic block, and certainly beginner friendly, but I also wanted to provide information and tools for the more advanced quilter. I'll save talking about the extras for another post, let's focus on the main bits today!


Interlocked Quilt from Color Emphasis. © 2015 Lauren Hunt for Lucky Spool Media.

There are three different construction techniques included in the book. If you were to make each quilt in the book, you'd get practice using each technique. Beyond the instructions for each technique, there are charts that tell you what size square to cut to achieve a specific half-square triangle finished size. If you're after a half-square triangle that's not an even number or 1/2" size, you'll also find easy to use math formulas for figuring out any size!


We found a goldmine of quilt photo shoot spots this weekend, YAY!

The twelve quilts in the book are split into four chapters. Each chapter explores a different way of creating contrast and movement in a quilt design using half-square triangles. The four chapters are Color Emphasis, Relative Scale, Patchwork Play, and Block Party. For example, in the Color Emphasis chapter the quilts use color/fabric choice and placement to create different designs.


The 60 blocks in the block chart are each made up of 16 HSTs, 960 total!

The Block Party chapter has a little something extra special. In addition to the three quilts in this chapter, you'll find a block chart. There are 60 different four color half-square triangle quilt blocks, sewn up in real fabrics, not digital! You can use those blocks to design your own quilt, or alter designs in the book. With the help of the technique charts/math you could make traditional 12" blocks, tiny blocks, giant sized blocks, whatever size you'd like!

Next week, let's talk about all the great extras we've packed into this book! In the meantime, if you're looking for a copy, pick one up here.

Happy Quilting!