Star Blocks are one of my favourite blocks. Carol has 44 people participating in this hop so sit back and enjoy some star studded blog reading. Thank you Carol for organizing this hop! A complete list of those participating can be found at the end of this post.
My project is a scrappy star block. As this is a scrappy project I will be giving the measurements of the pieces needed to make it and not an overall fabric amount. All seam allowances are a 1/4''.
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| Scrappy star block in my favourite colour |
So here goes. We will be making the 16 patch center first, it is a simple 4 x 4 grid. Grab yourself (8) 2 1/2'' neutral squares and (8) 2 1/2'' coloured squares or colours of choice.
Step 1: Arrange your squares in a 4 x 4 grid. Starting on the top row place a neutral square and a coloured square right sides together, sew a 1/4'' along one side. Do not cut the thread, we are going to chain stitch the remaining sets of squares. Simply feed your sets through until all 8 are sewn together. Press to the dark side.
Now lay your first set on top of your second set right sides together and stitch. Press as above. Row one is done repeat for row 2, 3, and 4.
Lay row 1 and 2 right sides together, butting or locking seams together this helps keep the seams aligned, and stitch along the long edge. Repeat for row 3 and 4. Press seams to one side.
Lay the 2 completed sections right sides together and again lock seams and stitch along the long side.
Congrats you now have a scrappy 16 patch! It should measure 8 1/2'' by 8 1/2''.
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| 16 patch 8 neutrals and 8 green squares |
Step 2: Adding the corner triangles.
Cut (2) 7 1/8'' squares. Cut in half diagonally.
Cut (4) 3 1/2'' squares of a neutral fabric for the background. Draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner, on the wrong side of the 3 1/2'' neutral squares. Lay right sides together on the corners of the 7 1/8'' square sew on the diagonal line. If you draw another line 1/2'' away from previous line and sew on that line, then cut apart between sewn lines you will end up with a bonus HST. Flip and press.
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| 1. Cut square in half diagonally. 2. Draw a diagonal line on wrong side of background square, lay right sides together in the corner of the triangle. Sew on drawn line. 3. Cut a 1/4'' from sewn line. 4. Flip and press. |
Sew one triangle to each side of the 16 patch unit creating a square in a square, although this is not a traditional square in a square as the points are not a 1/4'', they are 5/8''. Trim to 12 1/2''.
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| Sew triangle units to 16 patch center |
Step 3: Four at a time flying geese.
Cut (1) 7 1/4'' square.
Cut (4) 3 7/8'' squares of neutral fabric or background fabric. Draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner on the wrong side of the four neutral squares. With right sides together, pin two of the neutral squares on the opposite corners of the 7 1/4'' square. Sew a 1/4'' on both sides of drawn line. Cut apart on the drawn line, press toward the neutral squares. With right sides together lay the remaining 3 7/8'' neutral squares on the corner of the above units. Sew a 1/4'' on both sides of the diagonal line. Cut apart on the drawn line line. Press seam out. Trim to 3 1/2'' x 6 1/2''. You now have four perfect flying geese.
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| 1. Lay two background squares on opposite corners draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. 2. stitch a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the drawn line. 3. Cut apart on drawn line 4. Lay a background square in corner, stitch on both sides of drawn line. 5. Cut apart on drawn line 6. Makes 4 flying geese. |
Step 4: HST's
Cut (4) 4 3/8'' squares of your neutral fabric and (4) star point colour fabric.
Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the neutral fabric square. Place right sides together with the star point fabric. Sew a 1/4'' on both sides of the drawn line. Cut diagonally on drawn line. Press to side. Trim to 3 1/2''. Make 8.
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| 1. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the background squares, stitch on both sides of the drawn line. 2. Cut apart. 3. Press open to dark side and trim. |
Step 5: Cut (4) 3 1/2'' squares of neutral or background fabric.
Using 2 hst's and one flying goose stitch together. See diagram below. Make four.
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| Stitch together two hst's and one flying goose. Make four. Add a background square to the both ends of two of the above units. |
I made a small cutting error, when I made my block. I used 3 3/4'' background pieces instead of the 3 1/2''. I guess it pays to read my own directions a little bit more carefully. Now when did I notice the error? Of course after I had the block finished. If you look at the picture of the block at the top of this post you can see my little error.
Now I ask should I fix it or leave it?
Here's the complete list of stars.
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
I love your colours in this star block
ReplyDeleteWhat a great design! Thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning! What a great block plus a tutorial for making our own. That is so nice of you! I wouldn't fix the problem on your block - no one will know except you (and us because you told us). I can't see what you are referring to so leave well enough alone! Happy Wednesday! ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the detailed tutorial and for showing us your pretty project! I would not “fix” the issue since I doubt anyone would spot it; I sure didn’t!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. Star blocks are my favorite. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI didn't spot any errors, just a beautiful shining star. Your tutorial makes it look so easy to put this block together, Cindy. Great job of teaching us all how to make a gorgeous star block! I'm so glad you joined the hop and shared your star...thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing the construction of this great star block. I didn't see the error, too busy admiring the block.
ReplyDeleteLooks good to me. I say leave it. Thanks for the detailed tutorial.
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as an error! It's a design option! LOL!! And further more, if you can see it from 3 feet away, it isn't there. Seriously though, they block is beautiful just as it is!
ReplyDeleteCute block! I love those greens! Thank you for the tutorial.
ReplyDeletethis is very pretty. are you talking about the white square in the top corner being a bit too large? that seems like an easy fix.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great design, Cindy. I love the colors you used.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for sharing! xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice project. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOnly fix it if it will always bother you.
ReplyDeletelove that star!
ReplyDeleteGreat star, love the colors you used.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great tutorial Cindy, and a great way to use up small scraps.
ReplyDeleteIf the very first block on the post is the one that's wrong, I wouldn't fix it. I don't see anything wrong! It's a great star block, and one I haven't seen before.
ReplyDeleteIf your keeping the quilt and it dosn't bother you, then leave it. Personally I don't see it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tut. This is such a cute star block - I'm loving the 16-patch center.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a great star and a wonderful tutorial. I couldn’t imagine where the star was going in the first few steps. Its a lovely star!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beauty, and a great finished size. Scraps, pieces or whole fabric, it will fit them all.Love it, it is saved for a later date.
ReplyDeleteLol I got this in my e-mail and saved it very cute.... happyness04431@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI like this a lot. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteI say leave it!
ReplyDeletebah1977@yahoo
Thank you sooo much for the TUTORIAL on your block. You are one of the very rare few with a free TUTORIAL if there is a tut! That aside, I do like your star. The large stars are always more interesting with something going on in the middle. Thanks again.
ReplyDeletequiltyladyrr@gmail.com
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I don't think anyone would notice the "oops," if you didn't mention it. I certainly did not. This makes a beautiful block for a mini or more for a larger quilt. Thanks again for the tutorial and the great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful star.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't notice an error. I think, as quilters, we tend to be very perfectionistic about our work. As long as it comes out square or can be worked with, I'd leave it but if you're going to fret over it and see the error every time you look at it, then I'd change it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice to error either :) Love your Block! & the fabric you used are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great star. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and your graphics for the tutorial and awesome too. Love the pattern and tutorial. No one would see your error. It's a design decision. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteAm I missing something obvious? Can't you just trim those corner squares? Wouldn't seem to matter. It's a great looking block, and the tutorial is accurate--thanks very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your beautiful block and tutorial.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt block! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt block! What a great tutorial on how to make it! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty star - love the fabrics you used!
ReplyDeleteLove your block and the pretty prints.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up to the Tips and Tutorials Festival. I am going to move your link to the Block and Pattern Tutorials group. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty block! Lovely colours.
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy, thank you so much for linking up with the Festival. Because you linked this tutorial up in the previous festival, I wanted to let you know that it will not be eligible for the prizes.
ReplyDelete