These instructions will make two 4.5″ hourglass quilt blocks, used in the wandering star quilt block.
Note: These directions make the blocks a little big and have you trim them down. This method works for any level of quilter but is especially foolproof for beginning quilters.
Prepare your fabric
If you are continuing instructions from the wandering star quilt block, you’ve already pre-washed and cut your pieces:
- One 5.5″ square from color A
- One 5.5″ square from color B
Make two half-square triangles
Place the two squares right sides together.
On the back of the lighter square, with a ruler, draw a diagonal line across the back with a #2 pencil.
Sew 1/4″ from the pencil line on both sides.
Cut them apart for 2 half-square triangles.
Open each side into a square and press seams open.
Make Two Hourglass Blocks
Place the two blocks down, right sides together, with opposite colors on top of each other.
Trace from corner to corner, perpendicular to the seams.
Sew 1/4″ form the traced line, down both sides.
Cut along the traced line.
Open both sides and press seams open.
Trim to 4.5″ square. Try to get the center point as close to the center as possible. If you have a rule with angles, you can use that as a guide. Figure out the center point, then trim to get the 4.5″ size. This ruler is a 6″ ruler, which is a little big, but I was able to use the angle lines to figure out how to trim it just right.
Now you have two hourglass blocks! If you’re doing the wandering star block, choose your favorite in that block and set the other aside.
