Magic Triangle Bonus Quilt Layout Using EQ8

Last week I presented a webinar where I shared a new technique on creating your own blocks using the "Magic Half Square Triangle Technique".  During the webinar I shared three different ways of creating Magic Half Square triangle blocks -- along with a number of ways to turn them into new blocks and quilts.

​The following blocks were created during the webinar based on Magic Half Square Triangle designs.

Magic Triangles Block 12" x 12"

Magic Triangles Half Block 12" x 12"

Matic Triangles Sashing 12" x 4"

Magic Triangle Cornerstones 4" x 4"

In the webinar, I then shared how to to use the blocks to create this quilt. 

Although the information on drafting the individual blocks is not included in this blog post, you are welcome to download and trace the blocks in Electric Quilt.

Magic Triangle Half Square Triangle Quilt from Webinar

Effective May 1st, the webinar including the instructions for these blocks and quilt became an exclusive bonus for Tech Know Quilter members in May 2025.   This bonus included the three techniques to create your own Magic Half Square triangle blocks and quilts.

If you are interested in obtaining this bonus, I have reopened TKQ for 36 hours.  Click on this link to learn more and sign up.  

The bonus will be sent to TKQ members on Monday, May 5, 2025.  You must sign up for Tech Know Quilters before then to receive the bonuses.

Magic Triangles Bonus Quilt

I also had another quilt idea -- but ran out of time to include it in the webinar.

Even if you don't have the blocks from the webinar, you could select other blocks to use with the layout.

This quilt uses the Vertical Strip Layout.

On the Quilt Worktable, click the NEW QUILT tab and on the ribbon below choose Vertical Strip.

​Vertical Strip layouts are made up of long vertical pieced or unpieced "strips".

New Quilt>Vertical Strip

You can change the size and style of the strips on the Layout tab.

The width of each strip can be adjusted individually, but all strips must be the same length.

Strip Style and Size on the Layout Tab

Click the down arrow to view the list of styles.  Click on the Style name to select it.

I chose to use both Diamonds and Half Drop Diamonds for this quilt.

Selecting a Strip Style

The Math

If you wish for your diamonds to be on point squares (with 90 degree angles in all four corners), it will take a bit of math. 

(The math is based on the Pythagorean Theorem (a squared + b squared = c squared).

But no need to panic if you don't remember your high school geometry.  If you multiply the size of an edge of a block times 1.414 you will have the diagonal measurement for a square.

For a 12 inch block, the diagonal is 16.97.  19.97 is really really close to 17" -- so we will use 17". 

For a 12" block, change the size of the diamond and half drop diamond strips to a width of 17".

The length can be set by multiplying the number of blocks times the strip width.

17" x 4 blocks = 68". 

You can also insert plain blocks to put sashing between your diamond strips.  I set the size of the 2 strips with plain blocks at 3".

Adjusting Sizes for Diamond and Half Drop Diamond Strips

Quilt Center

On the Design tab, place the blocks in both the On Point Squares and the Setting Triangles.

Note the fun design when placing a rectangle sashing block in the setting triangles.

You will need to use rotation on the sashing blocks.   

I recommend using foundation piecing for sewing these blocks.

Magic HST Bonus Quilt Center

Quilt Borders

If you wish to make your design rotary cutting friendly (with 90 and 45 degree angles), it will involve a bit of math.  Here is how I approached the sizes for the borders:

Step 1:  The original sashing block was drawn at 12" x 4".  A ratio of 3 to 1.  If you stay at that ratio, all of the pieces have 90 and 45 degree angles -- making them very rotary cutting and piecing friendly.

Step 2:  After experimenting with different widths, I decided on a block with of 4-1/2".  Which makes the ideal length 13-1/2" (4.5 x 3 = 13.5).  The 13-1/2" x 4-1/2" supports the 3 to 1 ration from Step 1.

Step 3:  Size of quilt needed before adding Border #3 (the pieced block border).  Multiply the length of the planned border block with the desired number of blocks in that border.  

• 13.5 x 5 blocks = 67.5" width
• 13.5 x 6 blocks = 81" length 

Step 4:  On the layout tab, locate the quilt center size before adding any borders is:

• 57" width
• 68" length

Step 5:  Subtract the size of the center layout (step 4) from the required size of the pieced border (step 3).  Divide those number by 2 and split between any previous borders.   We need a total of 10.5" (67.5-57) for left and right borders (5.25 for each side).  I set the borders as follows:

• Border 1: 3"
• Border 2: 2-1/4"

Step 6:  We need a total of 13" (81-68) for top and bottom borders (6.5 for each side).  I set the borders as follows:

• Border 1: 4"
• Border 2: 2-1/2"

Step 7:  Before typing in the size for these borders, make sure to turn off Lock size adjustment All and turn on L&R (left and right) and T&B (top and bottom).

Step 8:  Double check the size of your blocks under Print & Export.  They should be 13.5 x 4.5.

Here is the final quilt.

Magic Half Square Triangles Bonus Quilt

The video will provide additional information on the steps within EQ8 for creating the quilt.

I would love to see how you use the Vertical Strip Layout.  Consider trying a favorite block and sashing block for your quilt.  Please consider posting to the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Magic HST Quilts Facebook Post

Tech Know Quilter Showcase

Here are some recently completed projects from Tech Know Quilter members. ​

Tech Know Quilters is a membership of Electric Quilt 8 owners who are mastering Electric Quilt through online training.  At the end of each month, they were encouraged to apply what they learned and to share a favorite quilt or picture.

If you are interested in joining Tech Know Quilters, you can learn more here.

Henriette Kiks-Oosterveer I love this one.

Rachel Chandler I love modern quilts. This has been such an enjoyable class. Here is my final spiral quilt. Thanks Kari.

Julie Pedersen Here is my Challenge quilt. I took the Masters Five Point Stars class. This was Lesson 7 with a twist to it.

Susan Sorensen Exploring variations in PolyDraw.

Dotty Smalley

Terry McCaskey

Wanda Smith Hizer

Sandy Dingman Wells

Katherine Martin

Edith Craig

Helen Hicks

Fran Heisey

Zdenka Nemethova

Roxanna Khoury

Kristy Goodin Soard

Mary Groesbeck

Dianna Carter

Curryanne Hostetler

Happy quilting.

​Kari

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