Geri B

Super Easy Hourglass...granted edges are bias, but quick way to do a sometimes pesky block........she uses 4 charm packs (of course), but in my eye, too much duplication.....because in most charm packs isn't there dups of prints to make up the 42 pieces? wonder if cutting f/q - 4 from each, or even yardage.....whatever, it's cute and an easy project......I think, anyway

Jeanne S

I saw that new tutorial and thought it was a quick technique for the hourglass block. I never buy precuts, but would just cut my own 5" squares.

Onebyone

I buy layer cakes. Each square makes 4 charm squares. So 44 layer cake squares gives me 176 charm squares. Same as four packs of charm squares. I buy the layer cakes when they are the daily special. I put a strip of lightweight fusible in an X on the back of the square. This keeps the bias edges from stretching. This is an Anita Grossman Solomon method that is fantastic. I use batting tape to save time and it's easier.

indymta

Thanks for this idea! I didn't look at MSQ tutorial because I knew bias edges would be involved and it's hard enough for me to get a block sewn correctly w/o having to worry about bias edges.

Maureen

Wow, great idea. Thanks!

Geri B

thanks.....forgot about layer cakes math.....great idea about that fusible....thanks to Anita!

janjanq

Onebyone, how wide are the strips of fusible on the backs of the squares and when do you remove them? Or do you leave them on?

mjhaess

Love this tutorial....