Monday, February 20, 2012

Tutorial: Scrappy Hour Glass Blocks

scrappy hour glass quilt

Hello everyone! Here is a virtual big hug for all of you lovely folks for coming back
 here after my longest blog break ever. I apologize for having being away for this long
 without giving you a heads-up (again!). I have been tied up with some project
 for the past few months, which is coming to an end now, so I will be back to
 my normal crafting and blogging schedule very very soon! I can hardly wait!
 You have no idea how much stuff I have on my to-blog-about list now.
 I have so many things I want to talk about and share you with, but for today,
I have a super simple scrappy hour glass block tutorial for you.

Pink Quilt

Do you remember this quilt top? I started working on this about a year
 and a half years ago with no plan ahead. I just had so much fun playing with my precious
 scrappy fabrics and hoped they would inspire me to make something with them.  

pink-quilt-027

I remember this project being very pleasing partly because it didn't turn out
 to be too busy (at least I think so, hehe!) I love scrappy look so much, but when my
 scrappy project is big in scale, I tend to worry that it would be too busy
 for my eyes.  I added solid sashing between each block, which I think helped
to offset the craziness.  And the little square blocks are added fun ;)

Scrap Attack Quilt-Along

Just like what happens to many projects of mine, it was side tracked by
 other projects and months passed by so I haven't made a progress since then!
When the sweet, talented friend Rachel of Stitched in Color contacted me last year 
if I could participate in Scrap Attack she is hosting,
I immediately thought of this idea of revisiting this quilt top for it. 
I got it out of a zip lock yesterday and it had its first fresh air in Japan.
Thanks to Rachel for giving me this opportunity! Now I actually want to finish this quilt.
I always appreciate this kind opportunity that gives me a little
push to go back to my old projects and actually finish them. 

Mini quilt in progress

This tute might be a bit too simple, but I hope this will inspire some of you to turn
 your scraps into teeny hour glasses and hopefully do something with them!
 Each block finishes at a 2 1/4" square. Yup, it's teeny tiny, so these have 
potentials to be used for some small patchwork projects too!

sc1

Two squares, each measuring 3 3/4" x 3 3/4".


sc2

Cut from one corner to the other corner.


sc3

Take one of each triangle and sew along the long edges like this.
(1/4" seam allowance as usual ;) )


sc4

Press seams to one side (same side for both.)

sc5

Chop!

sc6

Trade between the two!


sc7

Now to sew this bottom edge.

sc8

Press seam open.

sc9

Now you have two hour glass blocks, each measuring a little larger than a 2 3/4" square.

sc10

We want to trim down each square to be a 2 3/4" square. 
(1 3/8" from one edge is the center point.) Cut off the excess. 

sc11

The one on the right hand side is done.
Repeat the same process for the remaining block too.

sc12

Now they are clean and pretty ;)


sc13

It's quite addictive! 


SC14

We'll need some 1" x 2 3/4" strips.


SC15

to join blocks to make a row.


SC16

Here I have the white strips sewn at the short edges of the panel,
but you can choose to do that part later. Completely up to you.


SC17

I like to press seams this way.

sc18

To make a sashing that comes between rows, we'll need
some strips with a little colored block attached.
Here I am sewing together a 1" wide pink strip and
a 2 3/4" wide white rectangle. (Don't worry about length of each fabric.)


sc19

After pressing seam to the colored fabric side, chop it off
to create some 1" wide strips like this.


sc20

And repeat the same process with grey fabric.


sc21

Here is to show you how I pressed seams on the sashing.
(I made the sashing by sewing three strips and a 1" square at the short end.)


sc22

Sew along the edge.


sc23

Tada! Here is the beginning of the scrappy quilt.


sc24

If you would like to make a similar mini quilt, here 
is a measurement of my quilt. I have 49 hour glass
blocks with sashing between and around them.
I added a 1/2" wide border and then finished with a 4 1/4" wide border.
This quilt measures a 32 3/4" square - a nice size for a baby quilt?

I would be thrilled if this tutorial could inspire you to
play with your scraps! If you are feeling scrappy, don't forget to stop by
Rachel's blog and Scrap Quilt Attack Quilt Along Flickr pool to
check out everyone's scrappy projects - so inspiring!!

I'll be back next month and have tons of stuff to share with you!
Hope you are all having a nice week ;)



91 comments:

  1. Ohh! This is lovely, I would love to use my scraps for this. Welcome back Ayumi x

    ReplyDelete
  2. muy bonita la clocha yes una manera de aprobechar los restos de telas .
    Saludos Begoña

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Ayumi, it's always great to hear from you! And thank you for another great tute :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is adorable A, and a great tute! If only my scraps were as pretty as yours. Looking forward to hearing more about your other projects! Jxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is really beautiful - thanks Ayumi xxx
    PS Missed you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great to have you back! we've missed you!
    Fabulous quilt - you have such a wonderful eye for colour!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good to have you back Ayumi, that is a sweet mini, looks like Spring!

    ReplyDelete
  8. good to see you!

    you know I'd be just as happy if you blogged about the weather or your everyday shopping when you are doing secret projects!

    ReplyDelete
  9. lovely... I love anything to do with scrap. TQ for the tutorial

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks great, nice to see you back :o)

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fabulous tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Welcome back! I love this quilt, I might just have to give it a go!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for sharing, it's so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's good to have you back!
    Thanks for the great tutorial, it's very inspiring, as always!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Welcome Back,

    What a beautiful quilt.

    Fleur xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. What fun colors! It's so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Welcome back, Ayumi! :) I was wondering where you have been.
    Thank you very much for a great tutorial as always. :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello Ayumi! This is a perfect job!!!! So beautiful!!! A Big Kiss!!!! Leia Joaquim

    ReplyDelete
  19. Olá, adoro os seus trabalhos!
    Obrigado por compartilhar, o tutorial está ótimo.
    Bj
    Roseli
    dedodemoçapatchwork.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful little quilt and great tutorial :-) Welcome back, you were missed!! x

    ReplyDelete
  21. hola guapa,que bonito te quedo,gracias por compartir,
    bienvenida,besos

    ReplyDelete
  22. i correo es lascosasdeeni@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Olá Ayumi, lindo seu trabalho e inspirador, parabéns, Deus te abençoe mais e mais!
    Bjs!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello Ayumi! So nice to see you again in my reader. I have missed your lovely posts. Thankfully you are back with one meaty enough to hold me over until you resume your regular blogging schedule. In the meantime, good luck with wrapping up your project. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yea! A new tute from Ayumi!!! Welcome back....

    btw...I am taking a Curves Class from your friend Rachel, and what a wonderful job she is doing. No wonder you guys get along - you are both so very detail oriented.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hello! Nice to hear from you! Thank you for the great tutorial, it looks fun, but I think my patience would only be enough for a small project like a pillowcase. :-) All the best for your projects!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fabulous quilt!
    Glad to have you back!
    Thank you very much for a great tutorial!
    Ione

    ReplyDelete
  28. Como siempre tus tutos son geniales!!!
    Gracias por estas estupendas fotos :)))
    Un saludo

    ReplyDelete
  29. My favourite quilt! I'm so glad it's back. I was digging through your scrap bin the other day and came across a whole bunch of these little squares! Miss you!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I added this little quilt top to my flickr favorites ages ago, so I am thrilled to see your process for it's creation. I so love this! I so want to do one! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Come sempre i tuoi tutorial mi mettono allegria e voglia di fare. Bravissima!!! un saluto

    ReplyDelete
  32. Adorable! Thanks for the super clear tutorial - I love the end product! Too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ayumi, thank you for tutotial! every time I think - those pices are so small!! how to deal with them? :)
    sure they are pretty!
    I'm glad to read you again!
    hugs from Russia,
    Masha

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hallo from Germany! Wow, what a fine, great work, you've done! Nice, that you are back!!!
    Your blog was one of the first blogs I saw, when I started do swim into the big bloggerworld ;)
    liebe Grüße, best whishes, JULE

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love your project - it's absolutely gorgeous! You've got unique sense of color - I wish I could sew like you:)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am so happy that you are back! I am in love with your scrappy quilt....I think I will give it a go....and hope that it turns out as pretty as yours...Thanks so much, yet again, for the inspiration...Your art is so full of joy!

    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  37. Welcome back! I have missed you. I can't believe you would make all those QST blocks. They are my nemesis, and yours are perfect. That little scrap buster quilt is perfect and beautiful, like all your projects.Thanks for sharing the mini tute

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm so happy that you are back and blogging!
    What a wonderful tutorial!
    Can't wait to see what else you've been up to!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hello Ayumi, very pleased to read your blog post again! Wonderful project!! I recently bought 'Zakka Style'- so happy to see you in there. The little girl looked so gorgeous in your pretty frame, was that you as a child? Love her beautiful little dress too! Who made it?

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love it Ayumi!! Definitely something I am going to keep in mind for all those scraps of mine!

    ReplyDelete
  41. My goodness...such a pretty new pattern from you!
    I can't wait to see what everyone makes with it ;)

    ReplyDelete
  42. So cute. Wow, those are teensy. You have such fun fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Lovely, Ayumi! Glad to have you back!!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Lovely to have you back.

    ReplyDelete
  45. So glad you're back, dear! Thanks for another lovely tute! It's always great to find things to do with our small but precious scraps...

    ReplyDelete
  46. Lovely to 'see' you and your beautiful work again, Ayumi. I am so happy you want to finish this project. It is so much fun. I love the sashing and cornerstones - it's a great way to keep those tiny scrappy blocks as individual gems. Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. So glad to have you back -- and with another great tutorial!
    Have a lovely day, and thanks for sharing your lovely work with the world.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  49. This is great! I love the little tiny colored squares! They really make it pop!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Ayumi, so happy to hear from you!
    Myrto

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hello Ayumills, I couldn't wait to see a new post from you! Your works are so beautiful!
    Congrats!!!

    Big hugs and Happy New Year!!!

    sandra

    ReplyDelete
  52. ¡¡¡Very Sweet and wonderful colors, Beautiful. Thanks for Great Tutorial¡¡¡

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank you so much for sharing, Ayumi! Another great idea to tackle some scraps just lying around.

    ReplyDelete
  54. It's so nice to have you back ~ I've missed your posts. Glad to know it's because you've been busy!
    Love this little block ~ so simple and sweet ~ I've got just the fabric for it! thanks so much for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Ayumi, this is such a cute project! I will definitely enjoy pulling some favorite scraps to shine in a little hourglass project like this!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Cute quilt! Thanks for the tutorial. It's always nice to see how people press things, too.

    Welcome back! Can't wait to hear about your project!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hi Ayumi,

    I am so pleased youe back I have missed you.

    City Krafters

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love it Ayumi! I think the sashing is a great idea and really gives your eyes a place to rest and the hour glass blocks stand out! Total scrappy goodness!

    ReplyDelete
  59. thank you for inspiration and the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  60. That is gorgeous! thanks for the tutorial, maybe one day I'll have enough patience to try : ) Glad to see you posting again.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Thank you so much for this tutorial. This little quilt is just yummy.

    ReplyDelete
  62. i love your bright, happy, scrappy quilt. thank you for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I gasped when I saw your newest project! Thank you for the tutorial, I can't wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  64. yes lovely to have you back Ayumi, and what a great start with this adorable quilt! fantastic. Jessie, xo

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hi Ayumi, great having you back on the blog . . . just love your new project . . . thank you so much for the tutorial. Happy New Year, Cheers SuziQ

    ReplyDelete
  66. Ayumi!!!!! I fell in love with your little blocks way back when and now that I see what you're doing with them, I love it even more!!!! It's absolutely beautiful!!!! Thank you for the tutorial!!

    ReplyDelete
  67. AAAhhhh your back. And with a tute too.... So nice to have you back blogging! Can't wait to see what you've been up to. :)

    ReplyDelete
  68. I just found your blog recently...and it has been refreshing! Love your fabric and style.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I'm glad to see you back online blogging too!
    xoxox Cyn

    ReplyDelete
  70. Yipppppppppeeeeeee! So glad to see you are back! Thanks so much for the tutorial too. Getting ready to pin it on Pinterest now :) Virtual Hugs from Me :)

    ReplyDelete
  71. Preciosos trabajos y tutoriales espectaculares, te has ganado una sorpresa en mi blog, puedes ir a recogerlo. Gracias por tus enseñanzas.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Your tutorials are great, like your blog. I love it! thank you very much.
    giesta-giesta.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Have just found your blog, you are very generous with your tutorials.
    I need inspiration, have had a slow year stitching wise. This scrappy quilt is just the ticket!
    PS your fabrics are beauitifulx

    ReplyDelete
  74. Wow this is a great tutorial Ayumi, thank you! I don't know how I missed it before. As always your work is beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  75. This type of scrappy look so pretty.It some extraordinary work.It look so fabulous.It really wonderful idea to stitch on the fabrics.

    electric scooters

    ReplyDelete
  76. Your tutorials are so great! thanks a million for sharing them. You're a great inspiration in both creativity and generosity.

    ReplyDelete
  77. This is soooooo cute!! thank you for the print friendly button!
    So nice to see you back!

    ReplyDelete
  78. How lovely to see you! And what a great tute...

    ReplyDelete
  79. Hi Ayumi,I'm so happy to see this tutorial. I loved the quilt when you first
    showed it on your blog. I already have 14 blocks done, and I've neglected 2 baby quilts I'm working on. I wish you much happiness on
    your move back to Japan. Glad to see you back on your blog. I really
    missed reading it and love all the inspiration you provide.
    Irene in OHIO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Irene! It is really nice to be back on my blog!
      I'm so happy to hear you are using this tute to make your blocks! I'd love to see them ;)

      Delete
  80. Random question for you, are you on Twitter on Pinterest by chance? If so I would love to follow you there too :-) Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SmilieMommy & Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/smiliemommy/ and I think my pic will take you to my blog, nothing, not even close to like yours yet though :-)

    ReplyDelete
  81. QUEDAN PRECIOSOS!!!!!!!!
    PERO QUE PACIENCIA...
    SALUDITOS

    ReplyDelete
  82. Hi! I just wanted you to know that I pinned this quilt on Pinterest and in the last two days and in that time it has been repinned about 30 times!! It's a great quilt!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Helen for letting me know that! I'm blushing!

      Delete
  83. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the moment to leave a comment ;) I always love hearing from you!