Ever wondered how to sew and trim half rectangle triangle (HRT) blocks? Well you’ve come to the right place! Let me show you how I like to do them.
Half Rectangle Triangles add another fun shape to your quilt designing arsenal. You can make cool, elongated diamonds and zigzags and parallelograms and…long spikey things. The list goes on and on.
What exactly is a Half Rectangle Triangle (or a half square rectangle as I often accidentally call them)?
If you’ve made half square triangles (HSTs) before you might be thinking, no sweat, an HRT is just a stretched out HST. And you’d be right. After all, a square is just a rectangle with 4 equal sides.
Being square, you can rotate an HST 90 degrees and still have an identical shape but with the diagonal seam reversed.
Above: An HST block rotated 90 degrees each time. Every diagonal option and colour placement option can be achieved with the one block. Oh yeah.
If you rotate a half rectangle triangle 90 degrees to change the direction of the diagonal you will NOT have the same shape. Your long, tall rectangle will now be short and wide, or vice versa.
Above: The HRT’s diagonal direction will determine the layouts. Here the 2 possible HRT blocks are rotated through 90 degrees. You can’t get every layout from only one HRT block.
All that to say – when making HRTs you have to pay attention to the direction of the diagonal. This isn’t tricky, but something to keep in mind before you race out and make a whole bunch.
I have a couple of half rectangle triangle quilt patterns (this one and this one). You can see that this block can be used for some really fun shapes (especially in this one).
How I like to sew Half Rectangle Triangles
My preferred half rectangle triangle method goes something like this:
1. Take two rectangles
2. Cut the rectangles in half diagonally to give triangles
3. Sew triangles together
4. Trim to size.
I’ve seen other ways that are more HST-like in their process. Two rectangles have quarter inch offset diagonals drawn on them in opposite orientations. These are then matched right sides together, opposite corners together. Much like an HST, a seam is sewn a quarter inch each side of the diagonal and the units are cut apart. It’s very clever because what you’re sewing doesn’t look like an HRT until the last step. (Added benefit: no requirement to handle any bias cut edges while sewing.)
The downside, for me, is that the set up is quite finicky (offsetting the diagonal and matching the lines). My sewing time usually coincides with my wine drinking time. I like to keep my sewing methods as straight forward as possible so I have fewer opportunities to make mistakes. The method I follow is very “make it like you see it” and it suits me better. Feel free to choose whatever suits you!
Another thing I like about this method is that it produces the half rectangle triangles one unit at a time. I can mix and match halves as needed, I don’t have to make 2 of each same fabric pairing. I can also lay out my triangles on my design wall and swap around as needed, which I can’t do if I use the HST-like method.
That’s a big plus when making a quilt like my Slip Stitch quilt. I laid it all out on my design wall before I sewed my HRTs together. Then I took a step back and considered my colour placement. I could move the rows up and down because the triangles hadn’t yet been joined to their partners.
So let’s get on with the sewing, shall we?
How to sew Half Rectangle Triangles in any size
The longer and skinnier the half rectangle triangle, the trickier it is to trim. The squat, wider types are easier. I thought I’d go with a harder example, so it can only get better from there!
Above: the guy on the left is easier to trim than the guy on the right.
I’ll make a unit with each diagonal orientation so you can see how they both work.
I’ve taken two sets of low-volume and purple rectangles that are 2-1/2″ x 7″ (more on initial rectangle size later).
Each pair of rectangles has a diagonal cut in the direction required (as determined by your design).
Each pair of rectangles can made 2 HRT units, but I’ve set aside the the extra triangles for the time being.
First sew the halves together – the important thing to remember here is to offset the halves by a quarter inch.
The easy way to remember this is that the pointiest points need to point over the edge. Silly, I know, but it’s how I remember these things (perhaps explained by my wine comment, above).
You can see below the triangles have been matched right sides together, but offset from their halves by a quarter inch. (I do this by eye, I don’t measure it.) The pointier points (i.e. the more acute or sharp angles) are past the edge of the wider (more blunt) angles, both top and bottom.
You can pin (or not) and then sew a quarter inch seam to join the two halves.
Press the units as your design requires. You may want to nest seams, or prefer the flexibility that open seams give.
Now we’re ready to trim up. These rectangles will yield un-finished HRT units that are 2″ x 5″. Once finished (sewn together), they will measure 1.5″ x 4.5″ (a ratio of 1:3).
First the unit needs to have the longest edges trimmed to give the required width. Here I’ve trimmed the first unit to 2″ wide:
Grab your ruler – preferably one which has a corner with quarter inch markings that intersect (such as this Creative Grids* one):
Start at one of the corners with a diagonal. Line up one edge of the ruler with the long edge of the HRT. Then slowly slide the ruler (keeping the ruler/block edges lined up) until you find the spot where the diagonal is exactly a quarter inch from the long edge.
Taking a closer look at the diagonal, below, you can see it falls directly under the intersecting quarter inch marks on the ruler. And if the diagonal is exactly a quarter inch from each side then it will make a nice point when it is sewn to its neighbouring blocks. So we trim here.
Now rotate the half rectangle triangle unit around to trim the opposite end. Again, keep the ruler flush with the long edge of the HRT and the diagonal must fall under the intersection of the quarter inch ruler marks. We can also see that the HRT is 5″ long, as required. 
The process is the same for the other type of half rectangle triangle unit (the one with its diagonal sloping in the other direction):
First, trim the long edges:
Then find the spot where the diagonal matches the quarter inch marks and trim:
Then flip the HRT around to the other side and…oh no: I’ve measured my block to be 5″ long, but the diagonal isn’t falling right under the intersection of the quarter inch marks.
This is why the longer, skinnier blocks can be trickier to trim. Because that angle is so much sharper than the fatter units, it’s easier for it to be a touch off.
An additional, trouble-shooting step I like to include before trimming long HRTs is to centre the unit on my cutting board such that it spans the length I need. Below you can see my scissor tips are marking out 5″ and I’ve centred the unit on this, eyeballing the ends so even amounts of “point” overhang the 5″. Then you can quickly check the diagonal at each end before trimming and move the unit a little if a bit of fudging is required.
Half Rectangle Triangle Calculator
A note on calculating the starting size of your rectangles for your half rectangle triangles.
HRTs with a side ratio of 1:2 are not only easier to trim, they are also easier to calculate starting rectangle sizes for.
Above: finished HRT blocks with ratios of 1:2
The dimensions of the oversized starting rectangles are:
(Finished Width + 1″) by (Finished Length + 2″).
So if you want a half rectangle triangle that is 2″ x 4″ when it is sewn into a quilt, you will need two starting rectangles that are (2 + 1) by (4 +2) or 3″ x 6″. Easy peasy. Thank you, half rectangle triangle calculator.
When making non-1:2 HRTs, you’ll need to make a guess as to the size of the starting rectangles and go from there. I usually apply the same formula (add 1″ to the finished width and 2″ to the finished length) and make a test block.
Then it’s just a matter of testing and adjusting. If the block is too long when you trim, reduce the length and try again. This was exactly how I tested for the starting rectangles for my 1-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ (finished) block.
Alright, if you’re still reading then you’tr definitely ready to get out there and sew up some half rectangle triangle quilt patterns. As well as the patterns in my shop, I also have a free scrappy half rectangle triangle quilt pattern over in this post here, if you’re interested.
Hopefully this post has helped start you on a half rectangle triangle journey.
Happy sewing!
Kirsty
*affiliate link
Muito obrigada pela forma didática e clara de explicar amei. Parabéns que Deus te abençoe.
Thank you!
Hi Judy, I put your email address in so you should get an email soon asking for you to confirm and then you’ll be sent the HRT calculations chart.
Let me know if you don’t get the email.
I know I am late to the party, but here goes…
I spent most of a day trying to figure it out, and I love this tutorial, but I have one question.
You start off by saying trim the long sides…..WHOA, how do I know where to trim? Just one side, even amounts on each side? Thanks for the help!
Hi Hope, I like to trim a bit from both long sides to take it to the width it needs to be (rather than taking it all from one side). I find this tidies up both long edges and makes them super straight.
I appreciate this written out tutorial. Thank you so so very much
I have seen youtube videos but my brain does not work that way.
I will procure your math list. That is just the way I prefer it.
Again thank you so so much
I am grateful, Kirsty
I’m so glad it was helpful for you, Rosemary!
Thank you in advance for your precious help to cut this block. I spent all the afternoon trying to do it by myself but I obtained nothing
You’re welcome, Sonia. They’re a bit tricky to start with but once you get your HST muscle memory out of the way it becomes easier!
Oh my. I have a pattern I’ve been wanting to do for years an a unfinished quilt I really messed up. Hopefully I can now do them both. I’m going to make a scrappy kite quilt for my grandson.
This is the best torturtial I have ever read an it actually gives me confidence
Please send me the download
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge an the love of quilt making.
Can’t wait to read more of your work
Sewing Pal. Debbie Gobert
Thanks for this great exposition of a method for making these blocks. I found you when I elected to do some skill building to include wavy lines, curves, and free motion (no ruler) cutting.
As it turns out, there really is not much out “there” regarding making these. Some methods were downright mind numbing, to include having lots of extra steps. I agree with you that simply slicing it down the middle and sewing one at a time is no less time consuming (and very easy for happy hour sewing) than the two at a time method.
Regrettably, my regular rulers did not have a very easy to read capture point to get the 1/4″ down and 1/4″ over on the skinny tip as yours did–and I toyed with getting a special ruler to do such trims–but really didn’t want yet another ruler.
As it often does, wine lubricated the brain, and the next morning it occurred to me that my Clearview 60 degree triangle ruler might work. It worked beautifully. So either end could be easily trimmed with the 60 degree lines snuggled up to the seam line so there was no guesswork and everything stayed true.
So if you have a 60 degree ruler, that is a good tool in the HRT trimming arsenal as it has the best collection of angles and lines to give confidence in getting the tips correct so that you have 1/4″ head space for perfect joins.
Thank you again for taking time to explain this method.
Hi Leisa, thank you for your visit and the tip about the 60 degree ruler. I am spoiled because I use the Bloc_loc HRT rulers, but I will give the 60 degree ruler a try next time to see how it fares.
I would like an email copy of the info you offered. I have a quilt in mind to use this unit and it sounds like this would be perfect way to get accurately started. Thanks.
This is a great lesson in HRT blocks! Thank you!
I signed up and requested the HRT sheet but it didn’t arrive. I just signed up again to see if it will come!
Thanks,
Laurel
Hi Laurel, have a peek in your Downloads folder – sometimes it squirrels itself away in there without opening on your screen. Happy sewing!
Is there a paper piecing pattern for these units?
Excellent tutorial, and thank you for including a lot of pictures. I seem to understand concepts better when they include them. Off to look through your shop.
This is the best tutorial I have ever seen making these Half Rectangle Triangles! the fact that you showed us how to figure different sizes was so helpful! And trimming—best ever!! I know realize what I have been doing wrong all along. And for all that, thank you so much!
I’m so happy to hear it was useful for you, Karen! Hopefully 2019 will be the year of the HRT for you :)
So glad it’s helpful, Beverley. Happy sewing!
Thank you for all the really good info. I’m new at quilting & enjoy reading these blogs that help me learn new things. Keep up the good work , it’s appreicated.
Would love the pdf for the hrt
The easiest way I’ve ever made half rectangle triangles is a tutorial by Jacquelynn Steves of The Art of Home. So easy it’s insane. Check it out!
Thanks Marcia. I’ve seen that method before (it’s the one I refer to in my post). It’s great that there are so many great ways to make such a fun and useful block.
I’m thanking you in advance for the chart I just requested. Also for this tutorial. I almost ordered a special ruler, until I came upon your tutorial. I never noticed that 1/4” box on the ruler. That is so cool. I will definitely be using that a lot. Thanks again.
Thanks Barb, I’m so glad it’s helpful!
I recently tried making an HRT. Failed. Thank you so much for this tutorial.
I love the explication , i am always wrong with this block.
Very great description of HRTs; they are super versatile and worth the time to learn how to sew and square up accurately. Thanks for linking up to the Tips and Tutorials Festival!
I am so frustrated with this!! I was trying to make an outside border for a quilt using alternating direction HRTs; wide ends joining wide ends and short ends joining short ends to end up with an interesting and “framing” border.
I made them as you said, however I only ended up with blocks that would make the top left and bottom right corners. Why didn’t half of the blocks end up as reverse of the other since I had the blocks opposites when I cut the original triangles?
Thanks for the tutorial, it is exactly what I ended up doing to make mine, however I didn’t add enough length the first time so had to do it again.
I would send you a photo of the pattern I am trying to create with this border but can’t see how to do that here.
Thanks for any help, Linda
Hi Linda, Are you cutting your blocks all in the one direction? Eg cutting all from say the top LH corner to bottom RH corner. If you are then cutting half Your blocks along the other diagonal ( top RH to bottom LH) should solve your problem
Thanks Carol – I did email Linda after she left this comment, but I’ll put my reply here too in case it’s of use to anyone else:
Hi Linda, it sounds like you needed to cut half your rectangles one way (top left to bottom right) and the other half of your rectangles the other way (top right to bottom left). You might have accidentally cut them all the same way, or if you are using solids, where the back looks like the front, you might have accidentally flipped them over before sewing. If you do that, a top right to bottom left triangle will become a top left to bottom right triangle, and that would have lead to you not having the directions you need. I have done that myself a few times. Using solids can be a pain in that you have to always be mindful of “which way’s up”. But they’re also really handy because if you want to change the HRT diagonal orientation all you have to do is flip the fabric, rather than cut a new one. Hope that helps!
I’m having a rough time sewing these triangles as the cuts are slightly off bias. The bottom layer just wrinkles and folds. I’ve tried pinning in 5 places (worse then zero pins), adjusting top tension to every single setting, rethreading bobbin and top thread, different needles, everything. Any suggestions?
YOu might consider glue basting your seams. It holds things in place and does not allow the bias to stretch. If you are pressing the seam open, you can just pop it open or spritz some water. I use my appliquick tool.
What a genius idea. Thanks
What everyone else said PLUS. You are a life saver, I was ready to give up on the block I wanted till YOU.
Thank you so much.
Thanks, so, so much!! This is the best news since cherry cheesecake. Very clear and with pictures illustration, too.
I finally got around to reading this post after skimming through it when first published. You have provided such a great tutorial for this super block, without having to purchase a specialty ruler, and I’m going to try it out this afternoon. I can see a lot of possibilities for this. Thanks for the great information!
I just found this tutorial – it’s good, thanks! And I love that slip stitch pattern, great work!
Thank you so much. My goddaughter is due in September and she wants in blues and Grey’s but all she found was a picture. You are awesome!
You make it all very doable. Well done!
Is it possible to make templates for HRT’s? Or must one go thru this scary-to-me process? Thanks.
I’ve never seen a tutorial on HRTs before and you did a fantastic job of explaining them. Thanks. I foresee some of my scrappy charity quilts having kites in them!
Thank you for your information. I would benefit from a math chart. Thank you,
would like a copy of the chart and also enjoy your blog they are so helpful
You are my new best friend!!
I absolutely ADORE HSTs, so I know this will be a match made in heaven! Thanks so much!
xoxo
Yvette
Thank you, thank you!
Thanks Kirsty, I now know what to do with one of my unfinished sort of top: unpick the lot! Cut every piece in the right size and sew it all together again.
This will be a lotof work and satisfying, because it will be a beautiful quilt!
Thanks a million for new inspiration!!
Terrific post. I love oversizing my blocks and then trimming them to size. HSTs are easy, and now you’ve made HRTs easy. Thanks so much. So glad I follow you!
This is SO helpful! Thank you Kirsty! You are a marvel! Looking forward to the mini HRT too! The only thing now is to stop thinking of these as hormone replacement therapy!!!!
This is great! I have only ever made one quilt with HRTs, and loved it!! Love the trimming tips! Thanks!!
You are a genius and a life saver! I can’t thank you enough for this post! I’ve had a design with HRTs in my mind forever, but couldn’t wrap my brain around figuring out how to get them to end up a very specific size. Thank you thank you thank you!