12 Free and Easy Half Square Triangle Quilt Block Patterns

Here are 12 blocks that use only Half Square Triangle (HST) and squares. Easy, fun and pretty designs for the beginner or more advanced quilter.

The Half Square Triangle has long been a staple in quilting. Many, many blocks use it for at least part of their construction. In the following examples I've only used two colors. If you add in another color or two, you can get even more designs! Additionally, all of the blocks are based on a 4 x 4 layout. 

You will find my tutorials for making the basic Half Square Triangle blocks at 

https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block and 

https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/two-easy-methods-for-making-half-square-triangle-quilt-blocks

Sawtooth:

So let's start with the most basic. Just 16 Half Square Triangles laid out 4 x 4. It goes by a bunch of different names - Sawtooth, Mosaic, Ann and Andy (that must be a reference to the Raggedy dolls!), Triangle Tiles - to name a few.

The block seems kind of boring but multiple blocks can be arranged for some nice mesmerizing designs. You could also make this block scrappy - just make sure to have distinct light and dark colors - you'll still get the same effect.

Pinwheel:

Another basic is the Pinwheel. You can find my tutorial for this one at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/pinwheel-quilt-block-pattern

Put four Pinwheels together to get this design. 

Too busy for you? You can alternate the Pinwheel with a plain square for this layout:

Pinwheel 2:

Here's another way to make a Pinwheel block. When made into a quilt, the pinwheels appear to be every other block just like the above layout example.

To print a PDF of this tutorial, click HERE.

Pinwheel 3:

Here's another type of Pinwheel block. Or maybe it's more like a Windmill block. Either way it's a nice and easy block.

Diamonds (not an official name, just my name for it):

This is lovely! Yes, this block could be made with Flying Geese and/or Square in a Square patches, but it can be done entirely with HSTs. 

I like this block because of how it makes more diamonds when put in a quilt.

Ohio Star:

This block looks like an Ohio Star (or Evening Star or Cluster of Stars). It usually is made with Flying Geese and a large center square, but this layout has the same effect. 

 

Crystal Star:

This is a cute star block that is also called Lone Star, Ohio Star, The Cog Block, etc. 

Turn the four center HSTs around and you get the Ribbon Star block.

Reverse the colors and this Ribbon Star looks so different!

Stretched Star (my name for it!):

I couldn't find the real name for this block - I know I've seen it before - but, if you use your imagination, it kind of looks like an Ohio Star that got stretched.

Square in a Square:

This block looks like four Square in a Square units when sewn together. It could be made with scrappy lights and/or darks to use up your scrap stash!

Double Square in a Square:

Another layout that could be done with Flying Geese and Square in a Square patches but HSTs work just fine.

Conclusion:

These are just a few of the many ways that Half Square Triangles and squares can be put together. I really had fun playing around with them.