Divide and Conquer: Simplifying Blocks with Half Triangles

Delectable Mountains

Quilting is as hard or as simple as you make it.But the great thing about quilters is that they know how to work smart instead of just working hard. And they know how to share.
New quilters are sometimes daunted by complicated quilt blocks. But experienced quilters know how to simplify those blocks by dividing and conquering. Most quilt blocks can be divided into half square triangles and squares.

Delectable Mountains

How can you tell? The best way is to put a grid over the block. Most really good patterns will show that grid. But if they don't, don't be dismayed. Get out a ruler and pencil and draw them in.

You'll see on this Delectable Mountains, which is a pretty complicated block, all you really have is 1 square and a whole lot of triangles. It gets pretty simple after that.

Let's try that with some other blocks.

Double Pinwheel

This pinwheel divides into four squares with one larger triangle and 2 smaller triangles.

Double Pinwheel

Much easier!

Some squares that seem to be made up as squares are much simpler as triangles

Hazy Daisy

Hazy Daisy

How hard  do you want to work? Silly question!

Divide your blocks into half triangles and squares and it get's much easier after that.