Confident beginner block
Hourglass quilt pattern
A queen-size hourglass quilt is 90″ × 108″: 238 6″ blocks and a 3″ border. It takes 12⅛ yd of fabric for the top and binding, plus 8¼ yd of 42″ fabric for the backing. Four triangles meeting in the middle, light and dark like sand in an hourglass. Alternate the blocks and a lattice of diamonds appears.
How much fabric for a hourglass quilt
The same quilt in three sizes, with a 3″ border and 2½″ binding. Yardage is for 42″ of usable width after trimming selvages, rounded up to the next ⅛ yard with a little extra.
| Throw | Queen | King | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished size | 60″ × 72″ | 90″ × 108″ | 108″ × 108″ |
| Blocks | 9 × 11 = 99 | 14 × 17 = 238 | 17 × 17 = 289 |
| White (quarter-square triangles) | 2⅛ yd | 5⅛ yd | 6¼ yd |
| Navy (quarter-square triangles, border, binding) | 3⅜ yd | 7 yd | 8¼ yd |
| Top and binding | 5½ yd | 12⅛ yd | 14½ yd |
| Backing (42″ fabric) | 3⅞ yd | 8¼ yd | 9¾ yd |
| Binding | 7 strips 2½″ × WOF | 11 strips 2½″ × WOF | 12 strips 2½″ × WOF |
| Batting | 68″ × 80″ (twin) | 98″ × 116″ (king) | 116″ × 116″ (king) |
Cutting for one hourglass block
One quarter-square triangle unit (QST) per block, made two at a time. All sizes include ¼″ seam allowances. Quarter-square triangles are made from squares the finished size plus 1¼″, cut twice on the diagonal.
| Fabric | 4″ block | 5″ block | 6″ block | 8″ block | 10″ block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark | 1 square 5¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 6¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 7¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 9¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 11¼″, cut twice on the diagonal |
| Light | 1 square 5¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 6¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 7¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 9¼″, cut twice on the diagonal | 1 square 11¼″, cut twice on the diagonal |
Block diagram
- A Light (White)
- B Dark (Navy)
Download the block diagram (SVG)
Prints sharp at any size. Use it to plan colours with pencils, or as a pressing guide.
Questions
How much fabric do I need for a queen hourglass quilt?
About 12⅛ yd for the top and binding (5⅛ yd of white, 7 yd of navy), plus 8¼ yd of backing. That is for 90″ × 108″ with 6″ blocks, planned on 42″ of usable fabric width with a little extra.
What size is a hourglass block?
It is drawn on a 1 × 1 grid, so it works best at 4", 5", 6", 8", 10" finished. 6" is the most common size.
Is hourglass good for beginners?
Yes, once you have made a simple nine patch or four patch. The points need a careful ¼″ seam.
Can I use this pattern for free?
Yes. Hourglass is a traditional block in the public domain. The diagram and yardage on this page are free; the designer lets you change colours, size and borders and see the new yardage.
Updated November 9, 2026