Friday, August 19, 2011

STARS Quilt Along - Block 2

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of post for the STARS Quilt-A-Long.  If you would like to join you can find a list of the post links here :)

Alright, So let's get to BLOCK 2

STEP 1 - CUTTING


Now remember, for the Queen size, you will be doing 6 blocks each of 6 different star pattern blocks.  and you can pick any combination of the below sizes you want for your blocks.   (If you are doing a smaller size, it is probably best to divide the total number of blocks you want by the 6 different blocks we will be making and then make that many Block 2's in varying sizes, or all the same if you wish :)


So, once you have decided on your star sizes you can use the following chart as your cutting guide.  I know this is small to see but if you click on it, it will open in a new window much larger :)




Alright, So as not to completely repeat, I am not going to go over cutting out the yardage again in this tutorial.  If you need hints on how to best cut your yardage please see the STEP 1 of the Block 1 tutorial.  It is the exact same process :)

So for 1 star block you should have cut from your yardage  1 Goose Square, 4 Corner Squares, 2 long sashings, and 2 short sashings. (of course in the designated chart sizes :)   Alright!!


Now for your prints.    So referring to the chart above you will cut 4 squares for your Center Square, 2 from  a fabric of your choice (referred to as fabric A) and 2 more from another fabric (referred to as fabric B).   You will then cut  4 Squares that will be used to make the star points out of a different fabric of your choice (referred to as fabric C).  Please remember, this is your own individual quilt and you do not have to follow this fabric guides exact.  If you want to do four different prints in the center go right ahead :)


STEP 2 - MAKING THE CENTER SQUARE


Start by grabbing your four center squares and laying them out as follows.


Lay the left hand square onto the right hand square in each row with right sides together.  Pin along the edge.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.


Once you have clipped your threads, go ahead and press your seams.  You will want to make sure you press the two seams in opposite directions (I choose to go towards the darker print.)  This will help you to nest your seams and get a perfect center point.


You should now have 2 rows that look like this :)


Now simply lay the top row onto the bottom row with right sides together.  (Double check  that your prints are lying on the opposite print :)  Now go ahead and nest your center seam first and pin.  Then go ahead and pin the edges.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.


Once again clip your threads and you are ready to press.  I choose to press this seam open to avoid bulk in the center.  You may press any way you feel comfortable.


And Easy Peasy, you are done your center square.  Go ahead and set it aside for the moment :)



**NOTE - The remaining steps are done in the same way as we did  Block 1.  Therefore I will be going over them in a condensed version.  If you need extra notes or clarification on any of the remaining steps, please feel free to see the Block 1 Tutorial STEPS 2 - 4 that will further explain these steps.  


STEP 3 - MAKING THE STAR POINTS 

With right sides together, lay two of your smaller print squares onto your large background square as shown.  Using your ruler, draw a pen line diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.  Pin both sides of each square adjacent to that drawn line.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn line.


Clip your threads and then align your ruler along the drawn center line.  Cut your pieces apart along that drawn line.  Then press each piece towards your print fabric.


Grab your remaining two print squares and align them on your two pieces as follows with right sides together.  Once again, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the print squares from corner to corner.  Now go ahead and pin each piece and then once again, stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn diagonal line.


Clip your threads and then using your ruler aligned along the drawn line, once again, cut your 2 seperate pieces apart.  Press each  of the four pieces towards the print.


Lastly, trim away all those little corners and WhaLa!!!  You have 4 perfect flying geese.


STEP 4 - PUTTING THE BLOCK TOGETHER


Now you have all of the pieces you need to put your block together.  Grab all of your pieces except for the sashings and lay them out as follows.  We will be stitching these in rows first and then putting the rows together.


So start by stitching your rows together.  Lay the left hand pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together and pin.  Then lay the right hand pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together and pin.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along all 6 of those pinned edges.  Clip your threads and press.    Slightly different than Block 1 - I choose to press the second or center row open to avoid bulk.  The first and  third rows I still pressed out.



And this is what your block should look like now. And now you can sew the rows together.  So lay your first row onto your center row with right sides together.  Make sure that you match up your seams first, and pin.  Then lay your third row up onto your center row with right sides together and pin the same.  Sew a 1/4" seam along both pinned edges.  Clip your threads and press (once again, I pressed seams open.)


And now you should have a beautiful block that looks something like this!!  Way to go, now you just have one step left :)



STEP 5 - MAKING IT WONKY


To make the block wonky we first have to add the sashings.  So grab those sashings that have been sitting aside and lay the short sashings on the top and bottom and the long sashings on the sides.  Lay your sashing onto the top and bottom of your block with right sides together.  Pin the edge.  Stitch a 1/4" along the top and the bottom of your block go ahead and clip your threads and then press out towards the sashing.


Now you can add the sides the exact same way as you did the bottom.   Pin, stitch, clip, and press :)


And your block is sashed and ready to be cut wonky style.  Grab your 12 1/2" square ruler or template and lay it on your block.  Find the angel you like (remembering to alternate angels on blocks) and trim the excess outside the template or ruler.


And Ta Da!!!  You have a finished 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" Wonky Block 2!!!!



Now you can go back and make 5 more (or how ever many you want for your size quilt)

And don't forget, we all want to see your progress, so be sure to post your first set of Block 2's in our Flickr Group :)  Your Block 1's looked great and I can't wait to see your Block 2's!!!

And as always, should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa (at gmail (dot) com!!

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8 comments:

  1. squeeeel!!!!!!

    i'm super excited to work on these. i'm about 4 seconds away from doing a second top too! totally loving these blocks.

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  2. Melissa, I'm feeling confused here. Fabrics A and B will be the four patch in the center, right? Why is fabric A cut larger than fabric B? I've read through the tutorial twice, but am lost.

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  3. Thank you Melissa. I am working on Block one this weekend may get a start on two.

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  4. Oh I love it!!!!I'm working on block one now and do I have a funny big mistake to show off :) Maybe my mistake can become a pin cushion or something!!

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  5. Hi Melissa just coming on to check your measurements too think maybe Fabric A is wrong measurement. Linda x

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  6. Sorry for the Error, Fabric A was not changed from the previous chart but it is correct now. Sorry for any inconvenience caused :)

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  7. Looks like another great star block! Thanks!

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  8. This is great Melissa! I'm lovin' it!

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa