Quarter Square triangle blocks with no bias edges
 

This is a great way to make QSTs without a bias edge. For this demonstration, I am making two-color QTS but you can easily use 4 different colors and make four-color blocks. Just pay attention to where you sew your lines.

I have marked the corner to corner lines on the back of two fabrics in pencil. These blocks are 4.5” and when cut and resewn will make a block 3-3/4” square. Not sure of the math on how to make this without squaring it to 3.5” as I just grabbed squares out of the 4.5” squares.

The secret is in where you sew – The fabrics have been marked on the wrong side, in red for you to more easily see which side of the pencil line you put your ¼” seam. It isn’t necessary to mark your stitching line, you can just use your ¼” foot. I wanted make it clearly visible where you will stitch.

Put a light and dark together, and stitch as shown. Cut along the pencil line and press to the dark. Put two together , sew ¼” seam and press. And presto, no bias QST.

Judy, I'm having trouble squaring up my blocks. They came out to a little over 6 inches. I don't know why I'm having so much trouble. Grrrrr

Btw- that's a great way to make them! TFS

Thanks Judy for posting. This is how I made them for a double friendship star block I made. It works great.

Great tutorial.....gonna try this... Thank you!

Thanks for the great pictures - I'm going to print this out.

This looks great. Will have to try this. I love the short cuts that avoid stitching each individual piece.

Very nice tutorial. I think you could expand this in two directions to squares that are 9 inches square and quadruple the number of QSTs you get. This method is certainly easier to square up since the bias exposure is reduced. The math would need to be figured our a little more precisely and can certainly be applied to different sized QSTs. Thanks for the information.

Well, my dear. Your on a roll.

I like this method! My old way used to make (2) the right way and (2) the opposite way! Thank you!

Thank you for great instructions and pictures too.

I saw someone post about this a few days ago, they didn't have pictures and I couldn't understand, but this is clear, thanks so much for putting up the pictures, this is brilliant.

Thank for the tutorial.

Wonderful instructions

What size squares do you need to make the 4 1/2" qrtsq ?

The method to make them your way may be just what you're looking for. Some patterns want both kinds, so it's helpful to know both ways. Instead of moving to the other side of the drawn line, just continue on the same side. When they are cut apart you will have the two different quarter square triangles.