If you don't know me by now, let me let you in on a little secret: I love shortcuts. Anything that will make my quilt piecing faster and more efficient. I also love scrappy traditional patchwork. Projects where you can just throw everything together and it's going to look amazing no matter what. And finally, I love precuts! Those bundles of squares or strips that are already curated as part of a collection that are ready to pick up and sew.
I'm so excited to share a video tutorial today that combines all three of those loves - shortcuts, scrappy patchwork, and precuts - for this fun Hourglass quilt block (or Quarter-square Triangle).
This project is made with precut 5" x 5" squares (sometimes called Charm squares) and I used it to make this simple mini quilt table topper. For this project I used prints from my Sugarhouse Park fabric collection.
While I was visiting the Missouri Star Quilt Company a couple of months ago, I had the chance to film a fun video tutorial with Misty Doan for this simple method. (I'm not going to lie, it was pretty surreal to be on the actual Missouri Star studio set!)
Hourglass Quilt Block Tutorial
Click below to watch the full video!
In the video we walk through the steps to create these blocks, including pressing and squaring-up tips and tricks, and how to make this 21" x 21" mini table topper. All you need to make this project is one set of 5" precuts (Charm pack or 5" stacker), ¼ yard for binding and ⅝ yard for backing.
These same fabric requirements could also be used to make a really charming throw pillow cover.
Or you could lay out your blocks in fewer longer rows to make a long, narrow table runner. The options are endless!
The other great thing about this method is that it works with any size squares! Here's a variation that I made with 10" x 10" precuts (aka Layer Cakes or 10" Stackers.) Pattern info for the larger size quilt available here.
This pattern (either size) is just a great way to use up precuts that you've had sitting around, waiting to be used. It's a classic recipe for a sure winner.
Did you find this shortcut video for the hourglass quilt block helpful? Let me know in a comment below!
Aileen
What a cute, fun pillow! I also love shortcuts.
Christine Sherman
Thanks for sharing, I love the hourglass block!
Cheryl Smith
I love to watch/listen to YouTube while I sew, and I really enjoyed this one! I have that table runner on my list of projects.
Flo
Thank you for sharing this shortcut, it's so much easier than cutting individual quarter square triangles.