Jumpin' the Tracks!
(a.k.a. Disappearing Hourglass Block)
Sometimes it is better to jump ship in mid course than to continue on. I think this is one of those times.
For the past several months we have been playing with paper pieced blocks. My friends at the guild have been very patient with me, indulging my fascination with the process. However, it is drawing close to the end of the year, and they deserve a treat.
I've been toting this project around with me for a little over a year. Each time I drag it out of the box at a retreat people swarm the design wall and ooooh and ahhh over the blocks. Each time I tell them how easy the block is to make, and they refuse to believe me....until I show them. Now it is time for me to show you!
General Description:
The Quilt:
- Measures 52 1/2"x 59 1/4" as described
- Is made from 42, 6 3/4" finished blocks arranged in a 6 x 7 grid.
- Has 2 borders
- Inner border is 1" finished
- Outer border is 5" finished
The Block:
- Measures 6 3/4" finished (is actually 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" before incorporation into the quilt
- This is a disappearing block! It starts out as a four patch and ends up as a nine patch.
- This block is addicting! You will love making them (at least I do) but be warned, you have to keep your wits about you while you are trimming.
FQG: Angie will be providing half of the fabric, you need to supply the contrasting fabric. Please make it a pale solid that coordinates with the kit fabric. Think high contrast!
Are you ready for some fun!! Let's get started.
Cutting directions:
- Color 1 - 1, 10" x 10" square
- Color 2 - 1, 10" x 10" square
Oh that was hard - maybe you need a break? No?! I didn't think so.
This block doesn't start out with many pieces; however trimming as you go is paramount. Don't skip these steps or it will not work.
Sewing Directions:
- Gather 2, 10" x 10" squares
- Draw an X from corner to corner on the wrong side of one of the squares.
- Sew 1/4" on both sides of both lines of the X.....like you are making half square triangles in both directions.
- Iron flat.
- Cut into 4, 5" x 5" squares. (along red lines)
- Cut squares in half along lines to make 8 half square triangles.
- Iron seams open
- Trim resulting blocks to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
- Make two hour glass blocks - follow the picture.
- Pop seam allowances and twirl.
- Iron flat.
- Trim hour glass blocks
- The blocks should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" before you trim them.
- We need it to be 8 1/4" x 8 1/4" BUT it needs to be centered. BE SURE to trim 1/8" from each side of the block to get the desired size, else it won't work right in the end.
- Yes, you are cutting away the seam allowance. It will be okay.
- Cut each hour glass block in to 9, 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" pieces.
- Rearrange pieces.
- Keeping the pieces oriented as is, swap corners along the diagonals. You should now have tiny triangles on the outside corners.
- Keeping the pieces oriented as is, swap edge pieces along the center axis. You two colored angle should now point towards the center instead of away from it.
- Being careful to keep the pieces arranged this way, sew them together to make your blocks. You will have two identical blocks.
FQG - Return your finished blocks to Angie by May 26th, 2015 or bring them to the meeting on that night to be eligible to win all of the blocks.
 |
| Same blocks, alternate arrangement. |
