How to make your own diamonds and hexagons for English paper piecing

How to make your own diamonds and hexagons for English paper piecing

By Hatun Comak → Thursday, December 18, 2025

 I like to draft my own templates for English paper piecing. Once I've created a master template I make copies of it and use for my epp projects. You can also draft your own template. I find it easier than searching the net, finding the appropriate ones, downloading, printing and copying. 

Here I Show how to make your own diamond and hexagon templates. 

You'll need graph paper, mechanical pencil and a ruler with 60 degree angle.

If ready, here we go!

• Draw a horizontal line on the graph paper.

• Decide on the size of the diamond. I make them of 3.5 cm. Draw another horizontal line 3.5 cm away.

• Line up the 60 degree mark on your ruler on a horizontal line on the paper. Draw a diagonal line.

• Line up the 3.5 cö mark on the ruler on the 60 degree line that you have drawn. Draw a line. Move the ruler over 3.5 cm and draw onether line. Repeat this until the sheet is full of 60 degree lines.

There it is- a sheet full of diamonds. With these diamonds I am planning to make Lone Star Quilt. A combination of diamonds with other shapes will definitely make amazing motifs.

You can create hexagon templates by using the diamond shape. Red lines show how to draw the hexagon. In this way you can create a page full of hexagons.

Hourglass Quilt Block Tutorial

hourglass quilt block

Hourglass Quilt Block Tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Friday, December 5, 2025

The hourglass quilt block is one of these blocks that has been around and popular in the early twentieth century. It is quite easy to make. For this block I have made a traditional 4-patch block with four hourglasses. With this method you can make different varieties depending on your fabric choices. 
 

Step by Step Tutorial

Step 1: Cutting 

For this block you will need:

Fabric 1 (white) 2 of 7.25" x 7.25" squares

Fabric 2 (red) 1 of 7.25" x 7.25" square

Fabric 3 (newspaper) 1 of 7.25" x 7.25" square

Use the cutting measurements above to get your pieces cut out.

Step 2: Make Half Square Triangles(HSTs) 2-at-a-time.

Place Fabric 1 and Fabric 2 square right sides together. 

Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner. 

Sew along on both sides of the diagonal line with 1/4" seam allowance.

Using a rotary cutter, cut along the pencil line. Press seams to one side.

Step 3: Quarter Square Triangles 2-at-a-Time

• Arrange your HSTs in correct layout as shown in the picture below. Place opposite colors on top of each other. The seams should be lined up. Secure with a pin.

• Using a pencil, draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner, bisecting the seam.
• Sew along on both sides of the diagonal line with 1/4" seam. 

• Cut along the pencil line.

•  Press each completed squares, trim away, dog ears. Each square should be 6.5"

Step 4: Block Assembly

• Arrange your hourglass squares in correct layout.

• Sew together the top row. Press seams in same direction.  Repeat the same for the bottom row.

• Join both rows with 1/4" seam allowance.

• Press your completed block and trim down to 12.5" square.

This block is fun and easy to make with many possibilities.