Image by Missouri Star via YouTube
This antique lace quilt by Missouri Star is one of the most beautiful patterns I have ever seen. It looks intricate, just like laces, hence the name. It may seem like a difficult pattern, but trust me, it is not. You’ll be surprised to know that it is mainly made from half-square triangles. There are several ways to make HSTs. You can make 8 pieces at a time, aka the ‘magic 8 method’, 16 at a time, or even 32 at a time. Here’s a Quilting Hack: Make 32 Half-Square Triangles at Once.
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Although it is a very easy pattern, it may take longer to finish since the block is made out of small pieces. You will make three units for each block – center unit, middle unit, and corner unit. You need one center unit, four middle units, and four corner units. When you arrange them together, you will make a very big block. It is super fun to make and definitely worth trying.
Take a 2 1/2″ print strip and a 2 1/2″ background strip. Sew it right along the top and bottom edges with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Place your ruler on the sewn strips and line your ruler into the 3″ line. Cut on both sides. Flip your ruler and cut another one. Repeat the process for the whole strip. You need 32 half-square triangles. Press them open and stack.
Take four HSTs and arrange into a pinwheel. Sew them together to make a unit. Press it open. This is for the center. Set it aside.
Make the center unit. Take 2 pieces of HSTS and 2 pieces of 5 1/2″ x 3″ rectangles. Sew the 2 HSTs together with the whites together. Next, sew the rectangles on the top and bottom. Press it flat. You need four pieces of this unit. Set aside.
Make the corner unit. Get 5 pieces of HSTs, 16 pieces of 3″ background squares, and 8 pieces of 3″ x 5 1/2″ rectangles. Arrange them just like in the photo below. Sew them together to make a block, then press flat. Make four.
Arrange all the units just like in the photo below. Sew them together to make the block. Press it flat.