How to Make and Trim Half-Rectangle Triangles (HRTs)

If you’ve been following along with Sweet Potato Quilts, you know I love adding fun shapes to my quilts. One of my favorites? Half-Rectangle Triangles (HRTs)! These beauties can be a bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of them, they add so much dimension and movement to your quilt designs.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how to make and trim HRTs, step by step, so you can feel confident adding them to your next quilt or with the October block at the Block of the Month Party. And don’t forget — I’ve got a video tutorial to show you exactly how it’s done, so check that out if you prefer a visual guide!

What Are Half-Rectangle Triangles?

Half-Rectangle Triangles, or HRTs, are similar to half-square triangles but with a key difference — they have a longer, more stretched-out shape. This gives your quilt blocks a totally different look, adding angles and sharp lines that can make your design really stand out.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Half-Rectangle Triangles

Step 1: Cut Your Fabric

To start, you’ll need two pieces of fabric: one for your background and one for your color fabric. I’ve cut two for each fabric here, and I’ll be showing you how to make two sets of HRTs that mirror each other.

Step 2: Mark Diagonal Lines on the Background Fabric

On the wrong side of your background fabric, draw a diagonal line. For the first pile of fabric, draw from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. For the second pile, draw from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. These lines will guide us for sewing.

Step 3: Align and Sew

Now, take your background fabric and place it right sides together with the color fabric. Here’s where things get interesting — instead of lining up the corners directly, you’ll give the fabric a slight twist so that the diagonal lines match up with the opposite corners of the color fabric.

Once aligned, sew a ¼-inch seam on both sides of the diagonal line. Repeat the process for the second set of fabric.

Step 4: Cut and Press

After sewing, take your fabric to the cutting mat and cut directly along the diagonal line to separate each unit into two pieces. You should now have four HRT units in total.

I like to press the seams toward the darker fabric, so I’ll take it to the ironing board, give it a quick finger press, and then set the seams with my iron. This ensures everything lays flat and neat!

How to Trim Half-Rectangle Triangles

Trimming your HRTs correctly is key to making sure your quilt comes together perfectly. HRTs are a little different from half-square triangles because the seams don’t run at a 45-degree angle, so your corners won’t be as sharp — they’ll have blunt ends, and that’s exactly what we want.

Step 1: Trim to 2½ x 3½ Inches

Start by lining up your ruler so that the seam line runs ¼-inch from the top and bottom edges. This ensures that when you sew your HRTs into the final block, the seams will align perfectly without cutting off the points.

Step 2: Rotate and Trim the Other Side

After trimming one side, rotate your HRT 180 degrees and trim the other side, making sure the ruler is aligned with the 2½-inch by 3½-inch markings. You’ll notice that the corners are slightly blunt, but this will help when sewing the block together, ensuring a clean finish.

Video Tutorial for Half-Rectangle Triangles

If you’re new to HRTs, trimming them can feel tricky, but I promise it gets easier with practice! I’ve created a step-by-step video tutorial showing how I make and trim HRTs, so be sure to check that out if you want to follow along in real time.

Why You’ll Love Using HRTs in Your Quilts

HRTs are perfect for adding a unique touch to your quilts. They break away from the traditional square and half-square triangle designs and give your quilts more visual movement and interest. Whether you’re going for a modern look or want to create more dynamic shapes, HRTs will definitely become a go-to in your quilt-making toolbox.

Tips for Perfect Half-Rectangle Triangles

• Start with extra fabric: I always leave a bit of extra fabric around my HRTs when cutting so that I have plenty of room for trimming.
• Blunt corners are OK: Don’t worry if your HRT corners aren’t sharp! As long as your seam runs ¼ inch from the top and bottom edges, your points will turn out crisp in the final block.
• Practice makes perfect: If it’s your first time working with HRTs, don’t get discouraged! Follow the steps, and use the video tutorial for a little extra help.

Ready to Give HRTs a Try?

Now that you know how to make and trim half-rectangle triangles, I hope you feel excited to add them to your next quilt project. With a little practice and patience, HRTs can become one of your favorite quilting shapes to work with!

And remember, if you’re part of the Sweet Potato Quilt Club, you’ll find even more mix-and-match blocks like this to play with every month. Happy quilting!