Spring Blossom

Although it rained almost all summer last year, prior to that we had experienced a rather prolonged drought. I lost so many plants in the garden. I don't yet have a rainwater tank and couldn't justify keeping decorative plants alive.

One of the few plants to survive was my dwarf Indian Hawthorn (raphiolepsis indica). It's planted in a hot, dry corner and doesn't receive much attention.

Despite that, it seems to have thrived. I certainly delight in it's pretty pink blossom.

Ann

Making the Hourglass Block

I recently made a quilt that used lots of Hourglass blocks and I have been asked how did I make them.

Take two squares of equal size.



On the lighter square, draw a light pencil line along the diagonal. Draw another line on each side of this, 1/4 inch away from the centre line.


Place the two squares right sides together and stitch a 1/4 inch away from the centre diagonal line - on the marked lines.


I have used a bright blue thread so you can see where to stitch. Now take your ruler and rotary cutter and cut along the centre line to create two triangles.


Gently press open with the seam allowance towards the darker fabric.


Trim the *ears* from each block. Place your ruler along the diagonal bisecting the two fabrics and cut in half.



Match up the pairs from each block.


Pin the the blocks together matching the seams and sew with a quarter inch seam.


Gently press, then press the seam open. You should have a block that looks like this.


The more traditional method has been very well documented by Crazy Mom Quilts. Neither method is *better* than the other but I find that with the traditional method, I have problems with the bias edges of the triangles.

Try both and decide which one suits you best.

Happy Stitching,
Ann.