Today I want to show you how to add richness to your quilts using hourglass blocks in the border. Just by moving the colors around the hourglass block can blend into the blocks it borders or stand out on its own to make the accent you want to achieve.
12" quilt block (finished size)
Here is a basic quilt block using four patch units in the corners a center square and four rectangles. By adding two 6 1/2″ (unfinished size) blocks on all four sides you add excitement to your quilt. Here is an hourglass block.
Hourglass block
See the difference when you add eight hourglass blocks and four corner blocks.
Hourglass block with red points.
Now change the color scheme to make the outside patches all dark instead of the gold print.
Hourglass block with gold print points.
A third option is to use the gold print on the outside patches again with the light flower print in the points.
Hourglass block with light red print points.
Using the light red print for the points gives the quilt a delicate or lacy look instead of the bold in-your-face green outside units or the red points.
A simple method to make a 6 1/2″ hourglass block is to cut into quarters a 7 1/4″ square of each print.
Cut a 7 1/4" square into four quarters.
Layout the triangles in your desired color scheme, sew together into a block using a 1/4″ seam allowance and press. The block should measure 6 1/2″ after pressing.
Experiment with your scraps and see what you can do with color and the hourglass block!
