Friday, September 2, 2011

STARS Quilt Along - Block 5

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of post for the STARS Quilt-A-Long.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop ) you can find a list of the post links here :)

We are getting close to the end here!!  I am just so excited!!  Block 5, here we come!!!

STEP 1 - CUTTING


As a reminder, for the Queen size, you will be doing 6 blocks each of 6 different star pattern blocks.  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 5'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 :)


Once again, 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 :)


Now for your prints.    So referring to the chart above you will cut 1 square for your Center Square (referred to as fabric A) and you will also cut 2 squares from your Background Fabric for your Center Square.  (Yes I know this isn't a print, but I didn't want to throw everyone off by adding it up above :)  Lastly, you will cut 4 squares that will be used to make the star points (referred to as fabric B).


STEP 2 - MAKING THE CENTER SQUARE


So to start the center square we need to do some sub-cutting.  Grab your 2 squares from your background fabric and cut them in half once diagonally to make 4 triangles. 


Now go ahead and lay 2 of your triangles on opposite sides of your print squares with right sides together as shown.  Try to make sure that you have approximately the same amount of overhang on both sides of your square.

Pin the two triangles along the edges and then sew a 1/4" seam along both pinned sides.  Remember when working with triangles to keep those corners aligned, they will want to slide out on you :)


Now go ahead and press your print outwards toward the background fabric.


And now it is simply repeating on the other 2 sides.  Align your triangles on the opposite sides with right sides together, pin, and sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edges.  Your 1/4" seam should start right in the crevice created by the intersection of the 2 triangles :)  Press your 2 seams just like before.


Now simply clip away the little tails and your done!!  One beautiful diamond center piece.  Go ahead and set this 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.  Make sure that your star point fabrics match your center print fabrics.  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.  Press the second or center row open to avoid bulk.  The first and third rows press 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!!  I just love how the center pops in this one!!  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 5!!!!




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 5's in our Flickr Group :)  Everyone's blocks are looking so great, only one more block to go!!!

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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5 comments:

  1. what a cute block! i'm caught up though 3 now (still need to post pics!) and hope to do 4-5 this weekend. yippie! thanks for another great post.

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  2. Thank you for the next Star Blocks.
    Pleased to have finihed Three.
    Because I am using different colors in all blocks, the cutting takes a bit longer.

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  3. Hey, I think this one would be great with the Fabric Choices A&B being the same... ? That might help with using my scraps. We'll see. Oh! And I got a rotary cutter 1/2 way through cutting block 4 I AM SO HAPPY! My life has been simplified just that much more. I wonder if Dorothy will want it back when I'm done... I should probably invest in my own soon anyway, eh?

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  4. Looks like another great block! Ready to get started on 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