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
