SeeMyQuilt
Pinwheels & triangles · Confident beginner

Framed Hourglass quilt block

One hourglass unit with a frame of strips around it.

Framed Hourglass: main, background and accent. A 3 × 3 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Framed Hourglass (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square3 1/4" × 3 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background1 square3 1/4" × 3 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent2 rectangles6 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent2 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

9" Framed Hourglass (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square4 1/4" × 4 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background1 square4 1/4" × 4 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent2 rectangles9 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Accent2 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

12" Framed Hourglass (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square5 1/4" × 5 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background1 square5 1/4" × 5 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent2 rectangles12 1/2" × 4 1/2"–
Accent2 squares4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–

15" Framed Hourglass (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square6 1/4" × 6 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background1 square6 1/4" × 6 1/4"2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent2 rectangles15 1/2" × 5 1/2"–
Accent2 squares5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Framed Hourglass block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Cut the squares marked "cut twice" on both diagonals. Each gives four triangles with the long edge on the straight grain: these are the large triangles in flying geese and hourglass units.
  3. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 3 × 3 grid, and each cell finishes at 5". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  4. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Framed Hourglass quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"1/4 yd1/4 yd1 3/8 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1/4 yd1/4 yd2 3/4 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"1/2 yd1/2 yd3 5/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"1/2 yd1/2 yd5 1/4 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"5/8 yd5/8 yd8 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"1 yd1 yd10 5/8 yd2 1/8 yd10 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

Four ways to set it

A throw quilt of 15" Framed Hourglass blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1666" × 66"–
With sashing1255" × 72"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks8 pieced + 8 plain66" × 66"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1369 3/4" × 69 3/4"Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

See Framed Hourglass in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a Framed Hourglass block need?

Three: main, background and accent. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 15 inch Framed Hourglass?

1 main square at 6 1/4" × 6 1/4"; 1 background square at 6 1/4" × 6 1/4"; 2 accent rectangles at 15 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 2 accent squares at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2".

How many Framed Hourglass blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

More pinwheels & triangles blocks