Quilt block · Checks and chains · Intermediate
Chain and Hourglass quilt block
A nine-patch of five hourglass units and four three-strip units.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
10 triangles and 8 strips
- A3 squares 3¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B8 rectangles 2½″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
10 triangles and 4 strips
- A3 squares 3¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B4 rectangles 2½″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
Between the lines. Chain and Hourglass cuts cleanly at 4½″ or 9″. At 6″ its rectangles are ⅔″ wide, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
10 triangles and 8 strips
- A3 squares 4¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B8 rectangles 3½″ × 1½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
10 triangles and 4 strips
- A3 squares 4¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B4 rectangles 3½″ × 1½″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
10 triangles and 8 strips
- A3 squares 5¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B8 rectangles 4½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
10 triangles and 4 strips
- A3 squares 5¼″cut twice on the diagonals
- B4 rectangles 4½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
Between the lines. Chain and Hourglass cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″. At 12″ its rectangles are 1⅓″ wide, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 5 quarter-square triangle units
Sew the Background A and Dark A triangles together in pairs along a short edge, then join the pairs, matching the seams at the center. Press the last seam open. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Make 4 rail units
Sew the Background B and Dark B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Sew the units into 3 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 5 quarter-square triangle units
Sew the Background A and Dark A triangles together in pairs along a short edge, then join the pairs, matching the seams at the center. Press the last seam open. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Make 4 rail units
Sew the Background B and Dark B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units into 3 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 5 quarter-square triangle units
Sew the Background A and Dark A triangles together in pairs along a short edge, then join the pairs, matching the seams at the center. Press the last seam open. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Make 4 rail units
Sew the Background B and Dark B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Sew the units into 3 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
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Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
What size should I make it?
At 9″ every piece measures with a ruler. On its 9 × 9 grid, 6″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 4 sections (A, B, C and D), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an intermediate block: 32 pieces in 2 different shapes and 9 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.