Quarter Square Triangles With Directional Fabric

If you have been hesitant to use directional fabric with QSTs, now is the time to give it a try! I know it can be a bit of a mind twist to figure out how to get everything facing the same way, so I've done the hard part for you! (Honestly, this is for me too, so I don't have to struggle to remember how to do this every time. 😂)

If you are new to QSTs, you may want to check out this post about how to make them. This post is less about making QSTs, but focuses on how to position and sew directional fabric to get your QSTs to get the end result correctly oriented.

The sizes and quantities I'm showing today are specifically for my Two Peas quilt pattern. If you are joining us for the 2026 Two Peas Quilt Along, or just making the pattern, this tutorial is a great resource! That being said, this tutorial can be used for any QST pattern that constructs 2-at-a-time QSTs. 

To start, we have our (2) fabric squares; a directional print and a solid fabric. (In the Two Peas pattern, there are (4) pairs of squares to make (8) total QSTs, so that's what is shown below.)

On the back of each square of directional fabric, mark a line from corner to corner, and pay attention to the orientation. Place the squares so the direction of fabric is the same for all of them. Mark (2) of the squares from the top left to bottom right, and mark the other (2) opposite (bottom left to top right). 

Place each print square, RST, with a solid square and sew on both sides of each drawn line. Cut each unit on the drawn line and press seams toward the darker fabric. You will have (4) half square triangles (HSTs) with the print oriented vertically and (4) HSTs with the print oriented horizontally. 

On the back of (4) HSTs, (2) from each orientation, draw a line from corner to corner that is perpendicular to the seam. Then, match each of those HSTs with another that has the same orientation. Continue the usual steps of making QSTs by placing the HSTs right sides together and sewing on both sides of the lines. Cut on the drawn lines to separate your QSTs. 

You will end up with (4) QSTs with the print oriented vertically in the top and bottom triangles and (4) QSTs with the print oriented vertically in the left and right triangles. Trim the QSTs to the size indicated in the pattern. 

Now, you are all set to finish your Two Peas block! I suggest laying out all the pieces to make sure everything is rotated correctly before sewing. 

This is a simple way to elevate your block by keeping the fabric unified. 

If you are making the Two Peas pattern and want your flying geese to be directional too, then check out Making Flying Geese With Directional Fabric.