Quilt block · Four-patch · First quilt
Hourglass quilt block
One quarter-square triangle unit: four triangles meeting in the center, the darks opposite each other. Also called Quarter-Square Triangle, Hour Glass and QST.
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
2 triangles
- A1 square 7¼″cut twice on the diagonals
Dark · Navy in the picture
2 triangles
- A1 square 7¼″cut twice on the diagonals
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
2 triangles
- A1 square 10¼″cut twice on the diagonals
Dark · Navy in the picture
2 triangles
- A1 square 10¼″cut twice on the diagonals
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
2 triangles
- A1 square 13¼″cut twice on the diagonals
Dark · Navy in the picture
2 triangles
- A1 square 13¼″cut twice on the diagonals
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 1 quarter-square triangle unit
Sew the Dark A and Background 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 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 1 quarter-square triangle unit
Sew the Dark A and Background 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 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 1 quarter-square triangle unit
Sew the Dark A and Background 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 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
Aunt Mary’s Double Irish ChainFour-patch
Half-Square TriangleFour-patch
Square in a SquareFour-patch
Chain and BarFour-patch
More like this: Four-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Hourglass the same block as Quarter-Square Triangle?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Quarter-Square Triangle, Hour Glass and QST as other names for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 2 × 2 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, 14″, 15″, 16″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 2 sections (A and B), 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 a first-quilt block: 4 pieces in 1 shape and 1 point to match. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.