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How to Sew a Hovering Hawks Quilt Block
The Hovering Hawks quilt block is a striking design using two contrasting fabrics — one for the hawk shapes and one for the background — to create a bold, dynamic pattern.
Materials Needed
- Fabric in two contrasting colors (one for the hawks, one for the background)
- Quilting ruler
- Rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Sewing machine and thread
- Iron
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cut the Fabric
Cut two squares of contrasting fabric — one for the hawks and one for the background. The size of the squares will depend on your desired finished block size.
Step 2: Cut the Hawk Shapes
Using your quilting ruler and rotary cutter, cut the hawk shapes from the fabric chosen for the hawks. You can use a template or draw the shape freehand.
Step 3: Assemble the Block
Place the hawk shapes onto the background fabric square in your desired arrangement. Once happy with the placement, sew the hawks onto the background fabric using a straight stitch.
Step 4: Press the Block
Press the block with an iron, making sure all seams are flat.
Step 5: Trim the Block
Using your quilting ruler and rotary cutter, trim the block to the desired finished size.
Your Hovering Hawks quilt block is complete! Repeat these steps to create as many blocks as needed for your quilt project.
Half-Square Triangle (HST) Technique
This technique eliminates the need to directly manipulate the stretchy bias of the triangle. It uses two easy-to-cut squares and produces two HSTs at once.
Step 1: Draw the Diagonal Line
On the back of the lighter fabric, draw a pencil line diagonally from corner to corner.
Step 2: Sew Both Sides of the Line
Stack a pair of light and dark squares right sides together. Sew a ¼" seam allowance on each side of the line.
You will end up with something like this:
Step 3: Cut, Press, and Trim
Press the seam to set it, then press toward the darkest fabric.
Line up the 45° diagonal angle on your ruler with the seam, then carefully trim with a rotary cutter.
Four Patch Technique
The secret to the perfect four patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined.
Cut two A squares and two B squares. Using chain piecing, join one A square to one B square, right sides together, with a scant ¼" seam allowance. Press toward the dark fabric.
Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up. Place the two A/B units right sides together, butting seams. Pin if needed, join with a scant ¼" seam allowance, then press.
You can apply this technique to all kinds of four patch blocks. As long as a block has a 4×4 grid, the basic principles apply. Keep pressing seams in pairs of opposite directions and piecing becomes easy.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.
Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.
Resizing Square Blocks
Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks
Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks
Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks
Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.
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