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Disappearing Hourglass Quilt

Disappearing Hourglass Quilt Free Tutorial
Disappearing Hourglass Quilt

If you love classic quilt blocks with a modern twist, you’ll adore the Disappearing Hourglass Quilt—a clever and eye-catching design by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Co. This innovative pattern takes the traditional hourglass block and transforms it with a few strategic cuts and rearrangements, creating a dynamic layout full of movement and depth. Perfect for quilters who enjoy a bit of creative magic, this technique turns simple hourglass units into a stunning, intricate-looking quilt with minimal fuss.

Featured in a free tutorial on QuiltingTutorials.com, Jenny’s step-by-step instructions make this project accessible to quilters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to expand your skills or an experienced stitcher seeking a quick and satisfying project, the Disappearing Hourglass Quilt offers endless possibilities for fabric play and customization.

With its versatile design, this quilt works beautifully in everything from bold modern prints to soft vintage-inspired palettes. Plus, Jenny’s signature teaching style—clear, friendly, and full of helpful tips—ensures a fun and successful quilting experience. Grab your favorite precuts or scrap fabrics and get ready to watch your hourglass blocks "disappear" into a dazzling new design!

Materials and Cutting Instructions:
To create the Disappearing Hourglass Quilt, you'll need:
  • Layer Cakes: Pre-cut 10" squares in various fabrics.
  • Background Fabric: A contrasting fabric to highlight the hourglass design.
  • Cutting Tools: Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat for precise cuts.
Begin by pairing each 10" square with a background square, then proceed to create hourglass blocks. Once the hourglass blocks are assembled, make specific cuts and rearrangements as demonstrated in Jenny Doan's tutorial to achieve the disappearing hourglass effect.

Assembly Instructions:
1. Create Hourglass Blocks:
  • Place a 10" fabric square right sides together with a 10" background square.
  • Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and sew a ¼" seam on both sides of the line.
  • Cut along the drawn line and press the resulting half-square triangles (HSTs).
  • Pair the HSTs to form hourglass blocks.
2. Disappearing Hourglass Transformation:
  • Make precise cuts across the hourglass blocks as shown in the tutorial.
  • Rearrange the cut pieces to form a new, more intricate block design.
  • Sew the pieces together carefully to maintain alignment.
3. Assemble the Quilt Top:
  • Arrange the transformed blocks in a layout that pleases you.
  • Sew the blocks together in rows, then join the rows to complete the quilt top.

For detailed visual guidance, refer to the official tutorial provided by Missouri Star Quilt Co.:


The Disappearing Hourglass Quilt is a testament to the creative possibilities within traditional quilting. By applying a simple technique of cutting and rearranging, you can achieve a complex-looking design with ease. This pattern is perfect for quilters looking to add a new twist to their repertoire.
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