Patchwork Essentials: The Half-Square Triangle: Foolproof Patterns and Simple Techniques from Basic Blocks

by Jeni Baker

For true beginners to experienced intermediates, fashion designer Jeni Baker’s powerhouse book Patchwork The Half-Square Triangle has something for everyone—it’s easy, fun, and inspiring patchwork for all tastes.

The half-square triangle (or HST for short) is a quilter’s most versatile piecing shape, holding seemingly endless design combinations. First, Jeni Baker will show readers how to create any size HST using a handy chart of cut sizes—you’ll be using this again and again. Next, learn how to create HSTs three ways before diving into the four workbook sections. Each section features three bold projects incorporating color theory, effective fabric selection, playing with scale, and piecing HSTs into larger units to be sub-cut. Use the final three patterns to mix and match your favorite blocks from the gallery of 60 HST block variations.

Ready to get started? Grab your colored pencils and inspiration fabrics, because Baker includes a full coloring page for all 12 patterns.

Includes photographs and illustrations

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Sewing, Quilting

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2015

Reviews

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dec 9, 2022
In 2015 I gave this book 2 stars, with the review you can see following this one. I apologize, Jeni Baker! I started quilting in 2014, so this book was too much for me.
In the mean time, I read it again and was so taken with the possibilities of HSQs that I bought a copy of the book!
Beth on You Tube's my sewing room, got me to try HSQ's when I decided to participate in a Christmas quilt along last Dec. Those many blocks helped me see why these HDQs are useful.
This quilting journey has been one heck of a ride. I just love it!

Nov 20, 2015
Math symbols that I don't even know the meaning of are used to calculate how much fabric you need to make half square triangles.
Then, you have to have perfect 1/4 inch seams to make the designs work.
It just sounds like torture for an imperfect non-math person.

[Rachel B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I liked 6 out of the 12 quilts in this book, and in addition to those, she included 60 different quilt blocks. Some I liked, some I didn't, but I liked the variety!

I thought the instructions on cutting the HSTs were very easy to understand.

I do wish there had been full-page photos of each finished quilt, though, viewed straight-on. Many of the photos were "artistic" of a bunched up quilt, for example, and that doesn't really help me.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful charts, ideas and techniques.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some lovely patterns and good discussion on color theory. I really liked the included "coloring pages." Great idea that I haven't seen in too many other quilting books. I was expecting much more information on how to perfect an HST (something I have yet to master after 3 years of quilting). Her tips amounted to sewing a perfect quarter inch seam and trimming down. In that respect, I feel there could have been a much larger section on technique.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice patterns.
The included "coloring pages" will be helpful when trying to plan my own color schemes.

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I find the prospect of quilting with half-square triangles daunting, it is less so after having read this. There are even a couple of projects I might try.

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

HST's (half-square-triangles for you non-quilters) are my favorite building block. This is a whole book with patterns that use them!! Huzzah!

[scc101]

pages 85 to 99 contain 60 blocks using HSTs

[Sara Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Includes a chart of the math for making 2, 4, or 8 HSTs at a time. Plenty of great quilt ideas that use HSTs big and small and in-between. Definitely on my wishlist.