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Quilt Block of the Month: December

Have you ever wanted to make a quilt but couldn't find just what you had in mind? The editors of Quilter's World magazine have compiled some block patterns, from the thousands of traditional blocks available, that you can download for free. With a few basic skills and a variety of block patterns, you can create countless designs in no time.

A new block download will be available each month along with helpful hints, tips and tricks. We will also give you ideas for block combinations and possible quilt settings from time to time to help you create fabulous quilted projects. We hope these blocks will inspire you to experiment with quilt design and create your own layouts. So get a binder and some page protectors to fill with block patterns and samples to fuel your creative juices.

Hourglass

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"
Hourglass

Hourglass
8" x 8" Finished Block

Cutting

From Light Fabric:

  • Cut 6 (2 7/8") square. Subcut on one diagonal to make 12 A triangles.

    Hourglass

  • Cut 1 (3 3/8") B square.

    Hourglass

From Medium 1 Fabric:

  • Cut 2 (2 7/8") squares. Subcut on one diagonal to make 4 C triangles.

From Medium 2 Fabric:

  • Cut 2 (2 7/8") squares. Subcut on one diagonal to make 4 D triangles.

From Dark Fabric:

  • Cut 4 (2 7/8") squares. Subcut on one diagonal to make 8 E triangles.

Assembly

  1. Stitch an E triangle onto one side of the B square referring to Figure 1; press seam toward E. Repeat, stitching an E triangle to the opposite side of B referring again to Figure 1; press seam toward E. Repeat on remaining opposite sides of B referring again to Figure 1.

    Hourglass

  2. Stitch an A and E triangle right sides together to make a half square unit referring to Figure 2; press seam toward E. Repeat to make four A-E half square units.

    Hourglass

  3. Repeat step 2 with A, D and C triangles to make four each A-D and A-C half square units referring again to Figure 2.

  4. Select and stitch two A-E and one each A-C and A-D units together to make the top row referring to Figure 3 for orientation; press seams open. Repeat to make the bottom row referring again to Figure 3.

    Hourglass

  5. Stitch an A-C and A-D unit together matching the C and D sides; press seam open. Repeat to make two sections.

  6. Stitch the A-C-D sections to opposite sides of the B-E unit to make the center row referring to Figure 3; press seams open.

  7. Stitch the top, center and bottom rows together referring to Figure 3 and the block diagram. Press seams open to complete block.

Helpful Hints

  • Choose one each light and dark fabric for this block. Use scraps from other projects or purchase fat eighths (9" x 22") or fat quarters (18" x 22") to make one sample block.
  • Cut individual pieces from scraps or cut strips and then individual pieces from strips if using yardage or large pieces of fabric. For example, to cut several 2 1/2" squares, cut a 2 1/2"-wide strip the width of the fabric. Subcut the strip into 2 1/2" squares.
  • Use a 1/4"-wide seam allowance for all seams and stitch right sides together.

Binding the Quilt

  1. Measure the outer edges of the quilt and add at least 10". Use this as the total length of binding that will be needed to bind your quilt.

  2. Cut binding on the straight grain between fabric selvage edges or on the bias. Binding is usually cut 2 1/4" wide.

  3. Join binding strips on short ends with diagonal seams to make one long strip; trim seams to 1/4" and press seams open (Figure A).

    Hourglass

  4. Fold 1" of one short end to wrong side and press. Fold the binding strip in half with wrong sides together along length referring again to Figure A; press.

  5. Starting about 3" from the folded short end, sew binding to quilt top edges, matching raw edges and using a 1/4" seam. Stop stitching 1/4" from corner and backstitch (Figure B).

    Hourglass

  6. Fold binding up at a 45-degree angle to seam and then down even with quilt edges, forming a pleat at corner, referring to Figure C.

    Hourglass

  7. Resume stitching from corner edge as shown in Figure C, down quilt side, backstitching 1/4" from next corner. Repeat, mitering all corners, stitching to within 3" of starting point.

  8. Trim binding end long enough to tuck inside starting end and complete stitching (Figure D).

    Hourglass

  9. Fold binding to quilt back and stitch in place by hand, covering the seam to complete your quilt.

Note: To stitch binding in place using your sewing machine, attach the binding to the wrong side of the quilt first and fold to the right side. Pin in place covering the first stitching, and stitch using a straight or decorative stitch.

Copyright © 2013 Annie's. All rights reserved.

For more detailed help with quilting techniques, view our Quilting Lessons or consult a complete quilting guide. Your local library will probably have several on hand that you can review before purchasing one.

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