Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

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Square in a Square and Hourglass Quilt Block Units

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I enjoyed making Week 8's blocks for the Piecing the Past sew-along.  It gave me a chance to re-visit my favorite ways to make two common (but tricky) block units.  Those being, the Square in a Square unit and the Hourglass unit.  

Sq sq

For the Square in a Square unit, my favorite method is actually to use a ruler.  The ruler I like is the Square Squared ruler.  I found a fantastic YouTube tutorial by Ruth's Stitchery to refresh my memory on how to use it.  Do watch the tutorial, she explains things so clearly. The ruler was invented by Deb Tucker for 180 Design, and Fatquartershop.com actually has a pretty good price on it.  You can make units from 1" up to 6" (finished size).  The reason a ruler is helpful for this unit is that the center square is a very odd measurement and a template or paper piecing has been the best way to achieve it.  The ruler has the center square all marked out for easy cutting.  You also trim the unit down to the precise size after constructing it, using the cutting guides on the ruler. I highly recommend this ruler for making this fussy block unit.  If you do buy one from FQS, just know they are seriously backlogged on getting their orders shipped right now.

For the Hourglass units, I used Monique Dillard's foolproof method of making the units for constructing the Hourglass block.  She has a ruler called the FIt to Be Quarter ruler that takes all the mystery out of this block unit.  She has complete instructions on how to make just about any size Hourglass unit.  The trimming is easy peasy with her ruler.

Fit to be quarter 2

My blocks for the project are coming along well.

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Hope your week got off to a good start!

 

 

18 responses to “Square in a Square and Hourglass Quilt Block Units”

  4. Beautiful blocks Nicole! I also love Monique’s rulers. I have her Fit to Be Geese ruler which is fabulous. As always thanks for posting!

  5. Beautiful blocks Nicole! I also love Monique’s rulers. I have her Fit to Be Geese ruler which is fabulous. As always thanks for posting!

  6. Beautiful blocks Nicole! I also love Monique’s rulers. I have her Fit to Be Geese ruler which is fabulous. As always thanks for posting!

  7. Gorgeous, Nicole! and I’ve had the FTBQ for years and it’s yet to be used! Actually, I have quite a few rulers that I’ve never used!! I’m reading The Huntress now. It’s a great book. Have you read it? or The Alice Network?? Have a great day!

  8. Gorgeous, Nicole! and I’ve had the FTBQ for years and it’s yet to be used! Actually, I have quite a few rulers that I’ve never used!! I’m reading The Huntress now. It’s a great book. Have you read it? or The Alice Network?? Have a great day!

  9. Gorgeous, Nicole! and I’ve had the FTBQ for years and it’s yet to be used! Actually, I have quite a few rulers that I’ve never used!! I’m reading The Huntress now. It’s a great book. Have you read it? or The Alice Network?? Have a great day!

  10. Your blocks look great. You are being so diligent and keeping up! GOod for you. Have a great day!
    Mary

  11. Your blocks look great. You are being so diligent and keeping up! GOod for you. Have a great day!
    Mary

  12. Your blocks look great. You are being so diligent and keeping up! GOod for you. Have a great day!
    Mary

  13. Thanks for the information. Ruth’s Stitchery is a fabulous quilt shop in Colorado Springs that I have visited many times.

  14. Thanks for the information. Ruth’s Stitchery is a fabulous quilt shop in Colorado Springs that I have visited many times.

  15. Thanks for the information. Ruth’s Stitchery is a fabulous quilt shop in Colorado Springs that I have visited many times.

  16. Beautiful blocks! Your Piecing the Past quilt will have so many memories of this time in history. I use Monique’s Fit To Be Quarter ruler quite often. I’ll head over to watch the Square Squared ruler video. Stay well!

  17. Beautiful blocks! Your Piecing the Past quilt will have so many memories of this time in history. I use Monique’s Fit To Be Quarter ruler quite often. I’ll head over to watch the Square Squared ruler video. Stay well!

  18. Beautiful blocks! Your Piecing the Past quilt will have so many memories of this time in history. I use Monique’s Fit To Be Quarter ruler quite often. I’ll head over to watch the Square Squared ruler video. Stay well!