Disappearing Hour glass

First time I have tried this block, when Jenny does it the block comes out to 12 1/2 before she cuts it to make the hour glass disappear. I have sewn 2 hourglass blocks and they are bigger. I used my 15 inch sq up ruler to measure them making sure the 45 degree line goes through the centre and the centre at 6 1/4. despite being very careful when I sewed and pressed it looks as if I am going to have to square the blocks up to 12 1/2. Has any one else had this problem????

I want to use it to demonstrate what blocks you can make from a 10 inch square.

I haven't tried it yet, but did make the big star and found I had to re-size as well. I understand if you use starch when pressing it will help to keep the bias from stretching which is what I think caused some of my problem.

Good luck, hope someone else has a better or faster solution for you. BTW, I think Jenny uses a little "fatter" 1/4 inch seam so maybe that is why her blocks are smaller than yours.

I did notice that she does not appear to use a 1/4" foot when she is sewing, that could well be the reason. I was careful to ensure that they did not stretch when I was pressing them. Hey ho will see if anyone else has anything to say. otherwise will use the square up ruler tomorrow...........I particularly like the churn dash arrangement she made.

Sorry, but I haven't tried that design yet. Thus far I haven't had a lot of fun making the blocks that are cut up other than the D9P and the D4P. I'm sure someone will come along with the solution.

In the video I watched, she cut her hour glass blocks into three 4 1/4 inch pieces. That would mean her blocks were 12 3/4 inches.

Well I persevered with the block and have managed to sort it, she actually cut 2 -1/8th from the centre which gave the correct sizes for the 9 patch. I did manage to destroy one when doing the cutting, but never mind, every one had accidents LOL.

I also made the disappearing 4 patch churn dash, remind me next time not to use soft fabric, I could have done with some starch to stiffen the fabric up a bit. Creative pressing got me through!!

Glad you got the solution. Happy New Year.

There is a tutorial that Jenny does (I cant remember which one) where she mentions some not all layer cakes are perfectly the same and whatever you do on the first one.....you have to stick with that technique. This may be affecting your blocks.

When I was matching up my bella solids layer cake to my print layer cake they were not identically square. If they are by different manufacturers which mine were I can see how the difference is a scant but could mess up the measurements. I never measured mine! LOL....I was just so happy I didn't have to cut all those pieces. It was sew....then slice....then sew.... then slice. I loathe cutting. It is the worst part for me....Oh My goodness now I am rambling. The caffeine is really kickin in.

I hope this helps.

I was not using layer cakes but 10" squares I had cut. I wanted to demonstrate the different blocks you could make with a simple yblock like pin wheels or hourglass. I cannot afford to buy precuts, I have so much fabric I need to use up whats in the boxes rather than buy more!!

I have an accuquilt go but cannot cut 10" squares, they do not make a die big enough, 5" no problem.:D:D

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Originally Posted by csarina

I have an accuquilt go but cannot cut 10" squares, they do not make a die big enough, 5" no problem.:D:D

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Is there a way to fold the fabric and cut 10 inch squares using the 5 inch block?

I've just sewn 2 DHG2 bolcks myself starting from 10" squares I had cut from yardage. I was very careful with my 1/4" seam allowance, and when I united the HST together along their bias sides, the block measured 12 3/4". Divided by 3 means the cuts should be made every 4 1/4", or 2 1/8" from the central seam.
I'm confused with the following step, as my final block comes up at 11 3/4" and not 12". Actually, if you make the math, you are now cutting a 12 3/4" block so that you'll add 2 seams in between. This is, 12 3/4" minus 2 times (2) 1/4" seam allowance results in 11 3/4". If you want to obtain a final 12" block, you must calculate scant seam allowances in this last stage of the process.

I made this quilt and cursed it constantly. None of the blocks ended up the same size and you can't really trim them back or you lose the little corner triangles. I did end up loving this quilt once finished and it was gifted to my granddaughter-in-law at Christmas. The one good thing with working fabric on the bias is that we don't get covered in bits of thread which normally travel all throughout the house.Attachment 96385

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Originally Posted by FabStripper

Is there a way to fold the fabric and cut 10 inch squares using the 5 inch block?

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Unfortunately not as even if you manage to fold a square to avoid the blades it does not come up to 10" I think they make one for the new electric machine which is wider 14" could not justify the expense of buying that at £400+ .

I came up with a final block of 11 3/4 after squaring up.

Like Bababoo None of my blocks ended up the same. It was very frustrating. I was glad when I was done and don't plan on doing another block with so many bias edges.