Hour Glass Square Unit, alternative method (Orca Bay!)
 

So, I am working on the Orca Bay Quilt. I made my hour glass squares a little big and had a lot of frustration picking up each little one to cut it down to exact size. I had a "lightbulb" moment and thought maybe there was a more efficient way? This method is not seeming that much better, but it does make nice even hourglass squares. I am still making them - Orca Bay requires 224 units. them

I use the June Taylor Shape cut ruler - very helpful for accurate widths and cuts here.

1) Cut 3" wide bias strips in black and white.

2) Sew together alternating black and white.

3) Iron, rotate 90 degrees, cut into 3" strips again, and sew into a checkerboard.

4) Iron well, rotate 45 degrees, and start cutting out the hour glass units!

Alternate use: The strips from step 4, arranged a shown below, could be used to make an interesting hexagons - and -squares top. (see last 2 photos)

This is so fun. Thanks for sharing. I bookmarked to try with my scraps. Thanks.

Love it! I will definately try this one!

Thanks for sharing. My husband is from York, well Red Lion originally, and it was fun to see your location.

I will have to try this, although my Okra Bay is done. It looks like a great way to do hourglass blocks. Thank you for sharing this.

Love it. Help me someone. Please PM me and tell me how to bookmark a page so I can refer back to this page. Please and thank you if someone helps me.

Sorry you cut your blocks wrong BUT glad as you now came up with this wonderful new quick technique. Well done and thanks for sharing.