The Star Tile Quilt Blocks - disappearing hourglass block in two ways

If you’ve been following along with my Star Tile Quilt project, you’ll know that this design is all about playing with simple blocks to create something really striking. While I put the finishing touches on the full quilt pattern (which will be available as a free download very soon), I thought I’d share a tutorial of the blocks for those who want to get ahead!

So here I’ll show you how to sew the classic Disappearing Hourglass quilt block in two different ways. With just a few clever cuts and rearrangements, you can transform a basic block into two stunning star variations. These blocks form the heart of the Star Tile Quilt, so once you’ve mastered them, you’ll be all set to dive into the full pattern when it’s released.

Or, if you’d rather not wait, you can coninue on and add sashing and borders of your own to turn your blocks into a finished quilt straight away!

Because these blocks are cut and sewn on the bias, the fabric edges can stretch more easily than straight-grain pieces. To help keep things neat, handle your blocks gently and avoid pulling or tugging as you sew. Press your seams by lifting and setting the iron down, rather than dragging it across the fabric, and consider using a little spray starch or pressing spray to add stability. Taking these small steps will make a big difference in keeping your blocks crisp and accurate!

Throughout this tutorial I’ve used a ¼" seam allowance, which is standard for patchwork. But if you find you’re struggling to keep seams accurate, don’t worry, you can use a slightly smaller allowance instead. The most important thing is consistency, so pick what works best for you and stick with it.

For each block you'll need -

7" white square

7" black square

The finished sizes of these blocks should both be 7.5". You might need to trim the sides to make them square.

One of the best parts of the Star Tile Quilt is getting creative with colour! Play around with contrasting shades, subtle tones, or even unexpected pops of colour - there’s no right or wrong way to arrange your blocks.

Once you’re happy with your design, you can go ahead and add sashing, borders, or any finishing touches to complete the quilt on your own.

If you’d like extra guidance to make the quilt, a downloadable version of this quilt pattern will be available soon, so you can follow along step by step!

Happy sewing, Kym