Projects

Sewing Half Square Triangles: The Hourglass Block

Created By:

Fran Gulick

Skill Level: Beginner

Hi everyone!

It’s Fran from Cotton and Joy and I’m back with the third and final block on my HSTs 3 Ways series! The Hourglass block is a quintessential quilting block - and yet, somehow in all my years of quilting this is my first time making it! Just like the Pinwheel block, and the Dutch Windmill block, the Hourglass block is ideal for beginners since it comes together easily and quickly!

Fabric and Notions Required

Now, let’s get right to making this block! Like the two previous blocks, the Hourglass block finishes at 12”. Here’s what you’ll need to make it –

●      [8] 4” x 4” in background fabric

●      [2] 4” x 4” squares in four different colors

Instructions

1. Using this tutorial make four HSTs in each color, for a total of 16 HSTs, four in each color.

 

2. Start making each hourglass unit by sewing two HSTs together, making sure the HSTs are facing the correct direction. Press seam open or towards the left HSTs.

 

3. Next, sew the two remaining HSTs together, once again making sure the HSTs are facing the correct direction. Press seam open or towards the right HSTs.

 

4. Align the two units from Steps 2 and 3 so the middle seams line up, nesting together if seams were pressed to the side. Sew the top unit to the bottom unit. If necessary, trim your block to 6.5” square.

 

4. Repeat steps 2-4 with remaining colors.

 

5. Sew full block together with windmill units in a 2 x 2 arrangement. If necessary, trim your block to 12.5” square.

 

And that’s it! I love how quickly it comes together, with just some HSTs. And now we can get down to the reason I started this series to begin with - I love how we’ve created three entirely different blocks, with the same amount of HSTs in each one! 

Hope you enjoy this quick tutorial! I’ll be back later with a quick pattern/tuturial on how to put all three blocks to use in a fun table runner!

Everyone is Talking about Sewing Half Square Triangles: The Hourglass Block
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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