Quilt of Valor – Disappearing Hour Glass
I got great satisfaction making my first Quilt of Valor this summer. Missouri Star Quilt’s The Disappearing Hourglass Quilt- Easy Quilting with Layer Cakes! is a fabulous pattern for that project. My only disappointment with the pattern is that Jenny Doan’s procedure for making half-square triangle blocks from layer cakes results in the outer edges of the block on the bias. No matter how carefully I pressed the seams, I had stretching issues with the blocks and matching seams was a frustrating process. Since I want to make this pattern again, I decided I needed to revamp to make HST blocks the traditional way with the straight grain on the outer edges. I adjusted my square size from 10 inches (layer cake size) to 13 1/2 inches so that I could make 8 HST blocks from each square pair (vs the original 4 indicated in the video). It eliminated the ability to use layer cakes but is still fat quarter friendly as you can cut the needed 13 1/2 square and two 6 3/4 squares from each fat quarter.
Regardless of which way you choose to make the HST blocks, I highly recommend the video. Jenny Doan does an excellent job of illustrating how to cut, rotate, and re-piece the disappearing hour glass.
I have not tested this pattern yet but plan to do so early next year when I make my next Quilt of Valor: Disappearing Hour Glass
I’ve been reading that others have had the same problem with the bias edges. I want to make this quilt, but I don’t understand your revised method. Could you please explain it in another way? I’m pretty new to piecing and sure would appreciate your help.
Here’s a post I did that explains it step by step: https://hobbystash.com/quilting/tutorials-quilting/tips-tricks/making-half-square-triangles/
And if you are like me, seeing it done is also good: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bqPx2yuppaM
Once you have four half square triangles made you can proceed using the rest of Jenny Doan’s video as a guide. The only thing I changed was how to make those four half square triangles.
Thank you! I watched Jenny’s video again more closely and you can see the bias edges when she holds the two blocks up next to each other. I’m so glad you shared your method for this pattern.
You’re welcome!
This is genius! Thank you!
I am a longarmer and just quilted a QOV in this pattern. I was trying to figure out how to easily piece this block. Since I’m no fan of bias edges, your instructions are just what I need.
Thanks again,
Susie