Make quilted coasters Using leftover right-triangles
Looking for other scrap busting ideas? See our blog for more scrap busting projects.
Read on for further details and instructions on how to make quilted coasters, with a PDF guide available on our FREE Resources page to download and print.
When creating flying geese units one at a time or making square-in-a-square blocks, you will end up with leftover right-triangles (which have one right angle).
Don’t throw your right-triangles away! They are perfect for making half-square triangle (HST) units that can form the basis for a number of simple projects. Simply sort your triangles by size, then pair them to make your HST units.
Patterns that yield leftover right-triangles perfect for this project:
Cross Your T’s pillow pattern (A FREE pattern available when you subscribe to our newsletter).
What you will need: For each coaster you make you will need: 8 right-triangles to yield 4 - 2½" HST units.
The diagram shows the perfect right-triangle size for this project, with a little extra for trimming your HSTs.
If your right-triangle are a little smaller, make a test block to see if the smaller right-triangles will yield a 2½" HST block.
This is the perfect right-triangle size for this project!
Handle your right-triangle BIAS EDGES with care: When sewing your right-triangles together to make HST units, you will be sewing along a bias edge. The bias edge is fabric that has been cut on a 45 degree diagonal across the lengthwise and crosswise grains of the fabric. This results in very stretchy fabric which may distort out of shape.
As these right-triangles are small, I didn’t find it too tricky working with the bias edges. Plus the HST units are trimmed to size once sewn. Here are a few tips:
No pinning: As you are sewing a short seam, I found that pinning can add to the stretching and distortion when you are sewing.
Avoid stretching the bias edge when sewing.
When ironing your seams, give them a gentle press (ie. lifting the iron up and down).
If you’re worried about distortion, then starch your right-triangles before piecing.
