If you sandwich two 10 in squares and draw an x then sew down each side of x 1/4 in you can get 8 half sq triangles.
You will need to square up a little. You cut the sq in half both ways then on the drawn lines to get 8 sqs and no bias.
I do all my half sq triangles this way as it saves time and is easy.

just for my own brain, I'd make them all out of squares and half square triangles. that way I wouldn't have to worry about the larger triangle. have fun.

The only time-saving tip I can come up with other than what was suggested (piece the orange triangle block like a 9 patch with half square triangles, and the big square for the half-square triangles) is to chain piece the blocks - sew two of the nine-patch pieces together, then before releasing the pressure foot, continue with the next set of two pieces, .... Then when all of those are sewn for a set of blocks (however many you want to do at one time), add the 3rd square/half-square triangle, and chain piece those. This saves a lot of time cutting thread (and saves thread), and prevents the problem getting the stitches to go straight when you start sewing on each new piece. (To avoid this with the first seam, sew first on a starter scrap of fabric.)

Fantastic suggestions! Thank you, everyone!


@PaperPrincess: Hmmmm, that is a very interesting idea! I hadn't thought about alternate ways of constructing the large triangles. I'll have to see what fabric I end up picking for those pieces to determine whether or not it's feasible with the print. Thank you! Unfortunately, since I'm going to have 15 entirely different center rows (each "O" a different fabric), strip piecing isn't an option.


@girliegirl: I'll PM you this evening - thanks!


@ghostrider: Aha, thank you for those links! I love Quilter's Cache. I love how versatile all the blocks are depending on color placement...


@QuiltnNan: Snowballing... another good idea to consider for those triangles, depending on how much or how little I feel like working with bias at the time. Thank you!


@Rose Marie: I love that method of constructing HST's quickly, but unfortunately it won't work in this instance (without waste/excess pieces) because I only need 4 HST's of each fabric. I wonder if there's a quick method of making just four at a time...?


@charsuewilson: Chain piecing, ABSOLUTELY! I love it like mad and it saves me so much headache and thread. <3

I am one that would rather have squares and hst to use. but that is just me. then make up your nine square blocks. hope to see a final product.

i find it very interesting to see all of the different ways to approach the same pattern :)

That's what I'd do, too. Only I saw it as horizontal rows/seams. Could be done either way.

[/QUOTE] Personally, I'd do the full, larger triangles for a more polished look. Nothing needs setting in, just add the small triangles to the squares, sew the vertical seams, then add the larger triangles. The smaller triangles could be added oversized and then trimmed to fit which would eliminate having to worry about the exact placement of the ears.[/QUOTE]

Basic 9patch bloks

I would do this as well. Having seams in the large orange triangles would feel too choppy for me.
Good luck!

Without ready other people's ideas and by just looking at it, I would use half square triangles and squares like PaperPrincess's top photo.