Mini Double Hour Glass Tutorial & Template

My 2008 Scrappy Quilt has been making the rounds lately. It's traveled to QUILT STORY and STASH MANICURE I finally decided (after being quite wishy washy) what block to use for my 2009 Scrappy Quilt.

Tah Dah! Isn't it so dang cute! They are MINI Double Hour Glass quilt blocks.
As you know I was recently inspired by Allison of Cluck.Cluck.Sew's tutorial on a Double Hour Glass Block. So I whipped up a Double Hour Glass template to make 8" blocks using 2 1/2" strips of fabric. Those are the bigger blocks in the photo below.

Allison provided the "math" in her tutorial to make different sized hour glass blocks. Which got me to thinking. (dangerous I know) LOL. And I ended up making a Mini Double Hour Glass block in a finished 4" square. I just love it!

When my 2008 Scrappy Quilt and I traveled over to Stash Manicure for a guest post, I shared a quick picture tutorial on how to make the Mini Double Hour Glass block. I thought I'd share the post from Stash Manicure today; {enjoy!}

I like to challenge myself and try and use as much of my fabric as possible. Which includes all the itty bitty scraps I end up with after projects.

This is how I "store" my scraps: {my scrap stash!} {I think I need some cute little tags on those fabric baskets, don't you?}
{The Mini Double Hour Glass Template set is available in my Etsy store.}

Start with 2 strips of fabric. One white, one patterned. Each strip 1 1/2" x 12". Sew them together length wise. Press open.
Lay the hour glass template on the fabric piece with the point of the triangle at the tip of the fabric. (because each person's seam can be a bit different, and the templates are cut by hand, you may have a bit of "extra template" at the bottom. No worries! It all comes out.
Cut 2 hour glass triangles with white on the bottom and 2 with white on the tip. See photo.
Again, don't worry if the bottom of your template doesn't match up with the bottom of your fabric piece.
Lay out your blocks like so... and Sew them together to form the double hour glass block.
Square it Up to 4".
And sew your blocks together. Alternating the blocks, as shown.
I've been able to use my thin scraps and sew up this 14 1/2" block, easily and fairly quickly. And I am just loving the results. A super great way to use up your scraps or some odds and ends fabric in your stash! {Would be great with the Moda Honey Buns too!}

Want to see more photos of my Scrappy 2008 Quilt? See this post; HERE.

Happy Sewing!

Large Double Hourglass Tutorial with Acrylic Template

Here is the table runner I made using the tutorial on Cluck.Cluck. SEW. Only I used the acrylic templates that I make and are available in my etsy store. (oh, and I made the template for 2 1/2" wide strips, not 2 1/4" like Allison's tutorial. Start with a strip of solid and a strip of patterned fabric. (2 1/2" in width). Sew together. I always make sure the tip of my template is at the edge of the fabric and the black line on the template is close to the seam. Flip the template and keep cutting. Don't be alarmed if you triangles don't match up perfectly with the Template. The template is just a guide. There's room for trimming, when your block is done. You'll need two triangles with the print on the bottom and two with the print on the tip. Sew together as shown. Matching up seams as best as possible. Ironing your seams open will eliminate a lot of bulk. A pain to do, but worth it in the end. Square up your blocks to 8" Sew your blocks together. I used 2 1/2" wide white along each long side of the runner and finished it off with a red binding. Don't you think this block and runner would be cute with prairie points all along the edge!