Learn how to make an hour glass quilt block – using 2 squares of fabric. This is such an easy quilt block and perfect for using those pre-cuts like the charm pack or layer cake.
Mix is up by sewing up a bunch and pairing up the half square triangles and then mixing them up when sewing the hour glass block.
If you’ve got a layer cake just waiting to be used (you know the one—it’s been sitting in your stash looking pretty), this is a great project to dive into. The hourglass block is one of those timeless quilt blocks that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make.
And when you start with pre-cut 10″ squares, you skip all the extra cutting and get straight to the fun part: sewing!
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through each step of making an hourglass quilt block, from pairing up your fabric squares to trimming them down for perfect points.
Whether you’re stitching up just a few blocks for a table runner or planning a whole quilt, this block works up quickly and gives you lots of layout options. It’s also a great way to show off a fabric line or mix and match your stash for a scrappy look.
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A few things to love about this block:
- It uses simple half-square triangle (HST) techniques, so it’s beginner-friendly.
- You’ll get two hourglass blocks from each set of paired squares—hello, efficient sewing!
- It’s easy to chain piece if you’re batch-making your blocks.
Grab that stack of layer cake squares (or cut your own 10″ squares if you’re working from your stash) and let’s get stitching!
Materials needed:
2 squares of fabric the same size (I am using a 10 inch square – layer cake sized)
1 square light fabric or background
1 square medium / dark fabric (needs a nice contrast from the background)
How to Sew the Hour Glass Quilt Block Video
Hour Glass Quilt Block Instructions:
1- Draw a line from corner to corner on wrong side of the light fabric with a pencil
2- Lay right sides together the two squares of fabric
Pin to secure-
3- Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the drawn line (a scant works great too)
4- Cut on the drawn line
5- Press towards the dark
6- Draw a line from corner to corner on the wrong side
7- Lay right sides together the two half square triangles. Nest the seam in the center so you end up with a nice intersection, pin to secure
8- Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the drawn line (a scant works great too)
9- Cut on the drawn line and press
10- Trim the blocks to the same size. Mine for a layer cake usually end up at 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
Tips – all the hour glass blocks need to be trimmed to the same size. No matter what that size is, as long as they are the same you can sew a quilt with them.
Sew up a bunch of quilt blocks and make a quilt!
Want a full quilt to make with your hour glass blocks – check out this complete tutorial: Hour Glass Quilt Pattern
More Quilt Block Patterns:
Delectable Mountain quilt block – use those half square triangles to make another simple block.
Chevron quilt block – again, this is simple and you can use a layer cake for them.
Dig out a jelly roll for this cute stocking quilt block.
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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