Category Archives: Quilts and Quilting

Antique Hour Glass Blocks Tutorial

Antique Hour Glass Quilt Blocks Tutorial

As I previously mentioned, this style of block is centuries old. It’s amazing  to consider that in times gone by, these blocks would have been all cut out by hand, no rotary cutters. Then they would have been stitched together by hand as there were no sewing machines.

Antique Hour Glass Blocks

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Now, we are so lucky to have the tools and machines to make these blocks in a fragment of the amount of time.   We can create the warmth, colour and continuous bold design in no time.

These blocks can be made in  whatever size you prefer.    The method is the same, change up the size of block you prefer,  make as many or as few as you like  it’s up to you.

For these blocks, I have chosen to use an easy unit to use and hopefully you have some in your stash to use up.

These blocks will be 4″ square.

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I must state that I do always pre wash my fabric.    I say this because when you mix scrap fabrics, they are all uniquely different. I know once they are washed, I can put them all in the same playing field.

If you would like to make some of these blocks and they are easy to do.

This is how I do it.

Ingredients for two blocks

2 of 5″ x 5″ squares

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Please ensure that the two squares are contrasting.

Method

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of one of the squares.

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Put the two squares, right side together.  Pin well.    Sew 1/4″ from the drawn line down each side.

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Use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut along the drawn line.  Press open the two units.  Trim off the dog ears.

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Draw a diagonal line across the back of one of the units.  Put the two units, right side together.  Make sure that the contrasting fabric is under each side and that the seams are nesting.

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Sew 1/4″ from each side of the drawn line like before.

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Then cut the unit in half along the drawn line.  Press the unit open.  Sliver trim to 4″ if necessary.  Trim the dog ears.

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Now you have two, hour glass units.  Make some more….

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Happy sewing!

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Susie