By Janome Maker: Shereece Nicole
Have you started your Christmas sewing yet? It will be here before you know it!
In this tutorial, I’m going to break down how to construct half rectangle triangles (HRTs) so you can sew up this fun tree block – HRTree. These are different than their half square triangle cousins, but I’ll walk you through it.
GETTING STARTED
Drawing Your Lines – On the wrong side of the fabric, draw one diagonal line or two lines ¼” from the diagonal. Take note of the line direction in the pattern. Unlike HSTs, it does make a difference. They can’t be turned and the diagonal goes the opposite direction. You would end up with the same angle but a different fabric on top.
SEWING RECTANGLES
Take your two rectangles and align them with opposite corners. If your lines are top right to bottom left, turn left. If they’re top left to bottom right, turn right. Sew along both drawn lines or ¼” from center line. Cut pieces from corner to corner and press open. (Note: Pressing open is my preference for these.)
TRIM THE TREE
There’s now way to avoid this step, if you don’t want your points cut off, so…
For top left to bottom right:
Use a ruler with a marked ¼” corner or mark ¼” corner of your preferred ruler with painter’s tape at upper left and lower right corners marking ¼” as indicated by the pattern or whatever your desired finished size is. If you don’t allow for this corner inch, you will lose your points when you sew them together.
Place both corner intersections on seam line. Position ruler so least amount to trim is on top while ruler corner intersections are still on seam line. There will be more excess on short edge of HRT than long edge.
Trim right and top sides and turn HRT 180°. Repeat with next 2 sides making sure corner intersections are still along seam line.
For top right to bottom left:
You can turn your ruler over and repeat the above steps or retape your ruler at the top right and lower left.
Now you have yourself beautiful HRTs! And now do you see how the pattern got its name?
If you find yourself really liking HRTrees, there’s the HRTree throw quilt or you can try the En Point table runner for your holiday table setting.
I hope you have found this tutorial helpful and I’d love to see your versions. Please share your creations with me on Instagram, Facebook or by email!
Stitch on me hearties,
