They're called HSTs because when the block is done, it's two triangles sewn into a square; ergo "half square triangles". Quarter-square triangles are when the triangles take up a quarter of the square of the finished block.
When making anything with triangles, I usually starch the snot out of the fabric before cutting it. That tames the bias.
The method you might be thinking of is to cut your original squares on the bias (so your squares are on point), but you still have to be careful when handling them and sewing around the perimeter. I find it's just easier to starch.
Last edited by Peckish; 11-03-2014 at 07:45 AM.