Half-square triangles
Hourglass
A single quarter-square-triangle (QST) unit: cut one square of each fabric at the QST size, layer, and cross-cut both diagonals to yield four triangles that meet at the center. Two opposite triangles carry the feature color, forming the hourglass.
Cut list
What to cut for one 12 inch finished block. A quarter inch seam allowance is already in every size.
Feature
- 1 square
- 13¼"Cut twice on the diagonal, layered with the background fabric. Each square makes 4 triangles. This block uses 2.
Background
- 1 square
- 13¼"Cut twice on the diagonal, layered with the feature fabric. Each square makes 4 triangles. This block uses 2.
By region
| Region | Fabric | Units | Cut from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Triangle | Feature | 1 | 13¼" square, cut twice on the diagonal |
| Bottom Triangle | Feature | 1 | 13¼" square, cut twice on the diagonal |
| Left Triangle | Background | 1 | 13¼" square, cut twice on the diagonal |
| Right Triangle | Background | 1 | 13¼" square, cut twice on the diagonal |
How it goes together
- Step 1
Cut your pieces
Cut the pieces in the cut list. The sizes are for a 12 inch finished Hourglass block and already include a quarter inch seam allowance.
- Step 2
Make the quarter-square triangle units
Join the quarter-square triangles in pairs along their short edges, then join the pairs. Trim every unit to size before you join it.
- Step 3
Assemble the block
Join the units into rows, then join the rows. Press as you go and square the finished block to size.
Read more
Color value vs hue in quilts
Value is how light or dark a color is. Hue is what we usually call “the color itself.” In quilts, value carries the design — hue carries the mood.
5 min read
Quilt block families, explained
Most quilt blocks belong to one of six families — Patchwork, Half-square triangles, Flying geese, Stars, Curves, and Hexagons. Each family is a way of piecing fabric together.
6 min read
The quilter’s seam allowance, explained
A seam allowance is the strip of fabric between the seam and the raw edge. Quilters work in a standard 1/4 inch — and getting it right is the difference between a top that finishes flat and one that fights you.
5 min read
Try the Hourglass on a real layout.
Open it on the Design Wall. Try a few colors, see the math, change your mind.