88
CHAPTER PIECING TECHNIQUES
Piece Hourglass Units
An hourglass unit is a set of four
quarter-square triangles sewn
into a square, which resembles
an hourglass. The methods
described here each make two
identical hourglass units. Meth-
od 2 allows you to mix up the
colors in your hourglass units,
while Method 1 is more struc-
tured. Choose the method that
works best for you.
If you decide to make
hourglass units using a
dierent method than
prescribed in your quilt
pattern, adjust the fabric
yardage and cutting
requirements.
89
PIECE HOURGLASS UNITS
Put two half-square triangles together, light triangles on
top of dark triangles.
On the wrong side of one of the HSTs, mark a diagonal
perpendicular to the seam. Mark sewing lines on each side
of the diagonal,
1
⁄
4
inch (.6 cm) away. Place the marked
HST on top of the unmarked HST, right sides together, light
fabrics touching dark. Pin and sew on the two sewing lines.
3
1
Cut two fabric squares and sew together.
Cut two squares 1
1
⁄
2
inches (3.8 cm) larger than the finished
size hourglass units you need. On the wrong side of one
square, draw a diagonal line. Draw a sewing line on either
side of the diagonal,
1
⁄
4
inch (.6 cm) away. Place the marked
square on top of the other, right sides together, and sew on
both lines.
Method 1: Makes Two Matching Hourglass Units
Cut apart on the diagonal, press, and trim to size.
Cut the units apart on the diagonal line. You now have two
hourglass units. Press the center seam open, and trim each
unit to size. Place your ruler’s 45-degree mark on the center
seam and measure from center out to trim the units on two
sides accurately. Rotate the units and trim the other two
sides.
4
Diagonal
line
Sewing
lines
Cut the squares apart and press.
Cut on the diagonal to separate the squares. Press each
half to the dark. Trim the dog ears. You now have two half-
square triangle units (HSTs).
2
Unpressed
unit
Pressed
unit
45-degree
line
Sewing
lines
90
CHAPTER PIECING TECHNIQUES
Mark two fabric squares and sew together.
Cut two squares 1
1
⁄
2
inches (3.8 cm) larger than the finished
size hourglass units you need. Draw a diagonal line on the
wrong side of one square, and sewing lines
1
⁄
4
inch (.6 cm)
away from the diagonal on either side. Place the marked
square on the unmarked square, right sides together. Sew on
both lines.
1
Cut the squares diagonally and press.
Cut the squares diagonally in both directions. Open the
units and press to the dark. You now have four quarter-
square triangle units.
2
Method 2: Makes Two Matching Hourglass Units
Sew pairs of quarter-square triangle units together.
Lay out two quarter-square triangle units. Put them right
sides together and nestle the seams. Pin the units along
the long edge, and then sew them together using a
1
⁄
4
-inch
(.6 cm) seam allowance to make one hourglass unit. Repeat
for the other pair of quarter-square triangle units.
3
Diagonal
line
Sewing
lines
Press and trim each hourglass unit.
Press the center seam open, and trim each unit to size.
Place your ruler’s 45-degree mark on the center seam and
measure from center out to trim the units on two sides
accurately. Rotate the units and trim the other two sides.
4
Sewn
edges
Open quarter-
square triangle
unit
45-degree
line
91
PIECE HOURGLASS UNITS
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.