---
title: "Hourglass Quilt Block Color Challenge – Olive"
date: 2021-12-01
author: "Phoebe Moon"
featured_image: "https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hourglass-200.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Quilt Block Tutorial"
    url: "/category/block-tutorial.md"
---

# Hourglass Quilt Block Color Challenge – Olive

## How to Make the Hourglass Quilt Block

Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with [spray sizing](https://amzn.to/3N4zMer). It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.

### Other items you might like to have

- **[Long Ruler](https://www.amazon.com/shop/scrapdash?listId=1O20JIIZGJAKA)**
- [**Square-Up Ruler**](https://www.amazon.com/shop/scrapdash?listId=2JWHKG761189Z)
- [**Mechanical Pencil**](https://www.amazon.com/shop/scrapdash?listId=3JV0YQ9SKWO6J)
- **[Mat that Rotates](https://www.amazon.com/shop/scrapdash?listId=3JV0YQ9SKWO6J)**

Here are my fabrics:

![Fabric needed for the Hourglass Quilt Block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-fabric-1.jpg)

## Hourglass Quilt Block Cutting and Piecing Directions

Place the two large blocks right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal and sew 1/4″ on either side of the diagonal. Cut on the line.

![To Make an HST, draw a line on the diagonal for your cutting line.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-line.jpg)Place two squares right sides together. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the lighter one.![To make an HST, sew 1/4" on either side of a diagonal line and cut on the line](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-cutline.jpg)Sew 1/4″ from that line on both sides. Cut on the line. Open the squares and press the seam allowances to the dark.

![Two HSTs](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-press.jpg)You have just made two Half-Square-Triangle Units. Place these two blocks right sides together with the colors facing in opposite directions. The seams should just touch each other. Once again, draw a diagonal line. This time it should be through the center seam.

![Draw a line on the diagonal through the center seam](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-secondline.jpg)Draw a line on the diagonal through the center seam. ![Sew 1/4" from this line on both sides. Cut on the line.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-secondcut-line-e1637621558998-800x784.jpg)Sew 1/4″ from this line on both sides. Cut on the line. Press the Quarter Square Triangle quilt block open – but what to do with that center seam?

![The back of two Quarter Square Triangle Blocks](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-press-center-seam.jpg)You can press the center seam open or unpick a few stitches from the center and “twirl” it. 

Either way, press, and square up the block. You can see that I am very fond of the **[Quilt-in-a-Day Square Up Ruler Set.](https://www.amazon.com/shop/scrapdash?listId=1C55T3COAAWG2)** A rotating mat comes in very handy here. You will be able to make two of these blocks.

![Square up your quilt block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-square-up.jpg)Square up your block, matching the diagonal lines on the ruler with the seams on the block

Sew your completed Hourglass blocks to a square of the same size. Make two. Press to the dark.

![Two Rows of Hourglass blocks](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-row-773x800.jpg)

Put it together and look what you have!

![Hourglass Quilt Block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hourglass-final-782x800.jpg)

## Would you like to make HSTs or QSTs in different sizes? 







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