Learn to Make Hourglass Blocks Like a Pro!

by poweredbyquilting · August 6, 2019

Welcome to the August stop for the Night Sky Mystery Quilt for the International Association of Quilters!

The International Association of Quilters is a community of quilters that was started by Becky Jorgensen of Patchwork Posse. Joining her this year are 12 guest designers that have designed an exclusive pattern for the group and a block in the Mystery Quilt!

IAQ details: 1 year from purchase- over 60 patterns + 2015 year to current year patterns is included!

Finished projects: During 2019 there are 2 Block of the months -one is a sampler the other is part mystery (the guest designers are helping this year!), 3 extra projects, swaps, challenges, giveaways and more!

Skill level: Beginner – Confident Beginner. Because of the community atmosphere, you are able to get help if you are stuck, ask questions and share a hint.

Technique: Because of the guest designers and variety of patterns you will be exposed to a well-rounded amount of different styles and techniques, including applique, embroidery, paper piecing, patchwork, hand sewing hexagons etc.

Price: $120 / year

Pattern Format: PDF files (download and save instantly)

IAQ membership format: The group has an online community as well as a private facebook group for members only. There you can share your own projects you are working on or have finished, meet and get to know the members from around the world, download patterns, and participate in the group. Everything is in one spot- simple and easy to use on your computer or on your phone.

And here’s how it will work: The IAQ starts the day you join. Everything from 2015 is available once you join. The 2019 projects will be starting on January 1st and will be shared during the first full week of the month. During each month there will be two block of the months, a guest designer pattern, with the occasional extra project and rotating swaps and challenges. Each Sunday you will get an email from the quilt group about what’s happened during the week- but the group online is always open! You can share any time during the day.

Why should you be part of “the International Association of Quilters”? The group is online. You will have access to all the patterns, members and show and tell 24/7. No missing out on anything. This is a group that fits your schedule, has members that are passionate about quilting, gets you excited about designers you would normally not have access to.

When you join you will also have full access to all previous patterns- both in the group and by the guest designers. There are more patterns than you have time! You will be kept sewing all year long.

We help you keep up to date on trends, patterns & designers- You’ll go from sewing alone and the same ‘ol patterns, to connecting with others while exploring new techniques, patterns and designers from around the world.

The International Association of Quilters allows quilters to explore new designers from around the world, enjoy current and fresh patterns, and share & sew with others. no more "sewing alone and the family not getting it" --- it's time for "having fun and sharing with someone who understands"

Now that you know what the group is, here's my block for the Night Sky Mystery Quilt!

Fabric Requirements:

4 - 4.5" background squares
For EACH of the 4 different colors:
- 1 - 4.5" square
- 1 - 7.5" square

Draw a diagonal from corner to corner on each of the background squares.

Use one 4.5" color square and one 4.5" background square, with right sides together, sew 1/4" away from the line on either side.

Cut on the drawn line, press the fabric to the color fabric.

Align the half square triangles so that the seams nest. Draw a line from corner to corner perpendicular to the seam. Then sew 1/4" away from the line on either side. Cut on the drawn line.

Trimming option #1: Press the seam to one side and trim using a block-loc ruler or a normal square ruler to 3.5"

Make sure that the intersection of the hourglass is at 1.75" as shown below. Trim 2 sides, rotate the block and trim the other 2 sides.

Trimming option #2: Before pressing the unit open, trim the triangle. Align the 45deg line to the previously sewn seam. The current seam should intersect at 3.5" on both the top and right sides of the ruler. Trim and press the hourglass block open.

Trimming option #3: This is my preferred method. Use Clearly Slotted Trimmers to trim your block. Align the previously sewn seam to the centerline of the triangle and align the current seam to the seam marker. Trim the triangle and trim the dog ears. Press the block open.

Repeat with the other fabric colors to make a total of 8 hourglass blocks that measure 3.5" square.

Lay out one of each color hourglass as shown below. Sew the rows together, press seams in alternating directions. Then sew the block together. The block should measure 6.5" square. Make 2.

Stack the 4 different color fabric 7.5" squares on top of each other. Use your ruler and cut both diagonals from corner to corner.

Take one of each triangle and lay out the hourglass block as shown below. Sew 2 triangles together, press seams in alternate directions. Then sew the block together. Trim the block to 6.5" square. Make 2.

Lay out all the hourglass block quadrants as shown below. Sew the rows together and then sew the block together. The block should measure 12.5" square.

YAY!!! You are finished!

This block makes a really fun design as a full quilt. I took this block and repeated it with rotation to create this mocked-up quilt below! Isn't it so fun?! (click on the image to enlarge)