SeeMyQuilt12 inch Hourglass Four Patch quilt block
Cutting chart, piecing steps and yardage for a Hourglass Four Patch block that finishes at 12". The block is a 2 × 2 grid and each cell finishes at 6".
Cutting chart for one block
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 7 1/4" × 7 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 7 1/4" × 7 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 2 squares | 6 1/2" × 6 1/2" | – |
How to piece it
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- 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.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 2 × 2 grid, and each cell finishes at 6". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a quilt of 12" Hourglass Four Patch blocks
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 3 × 4 (12) | 42" × 54" | 3/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 4 × 5 (20) | 54" × 66" | 1 yd | 1 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 5 × 6 (30) | 66" × 78" | 1 3/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 2 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 5 yd |
| Twin | 6 × 8 (48) | 78" × 102" | 2 1/4 yd | 2 1/4 yd | 3 1/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 8 × 8 (64) | 102" × 102" | 3 yd | 3 yd | 4 3/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 9 × 9 (81) | 114" × 114" | 3 7/8 yd | 3 7/8 yd | 5 3/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 1/4 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
What a lap quilt looks like
This diagram uses plain colors. To see the quilt in your own fabrics, with sashing or on point, use the tool below: tap a fabric and choose a photo.
See it in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
What do I cut for a 12 inch Hourglass Four Patch block?
1 main square at 7 1/4" × 7 1/4"; 1 background square at 7 1/4" × 7 1/4"; 2 accent squares at 6 1/2" × 6 1/2".
What size is the block before it is sewn into the quilt?
12 1/2" square. It finishes at 12" once the seams on all four sides are sewn.
How much fabric for a throw quilt of 12 inch Hourglass Four Patch blocks?
30 blocks make a 66" × 78" quilt. Buy 1 3/8 yd of main, 1 3/8 yd of background, 2 yd of accent and 1 3/8 yd of border & binding, plus 5 yd for the backing.
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