Thursday, September 8, 2011

STARS Quilt Along - Block 6

**  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 have reached the last set of blocks!!  Yippee Skippee!!!  Block 6, 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 6'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 :)  ***NOTE - You do not have to cut any additional blocks for the highlighted line, it is simply a reference for trimming.


Once last time, 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 another square for your Center Square (referred to as fabric B),  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 C).



STEP 2 - MAKING THE CENTER SQUARE

So this center square is the same process with just a different fabric layout as the center square for Block 4.     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 4 Tutorial STEPS 2 that will further explain these steps.  

We will start by making 4 Half Square Triangles.  To do this, grab your four pieces (2 prints and 2 background fabrics) for the center square.  Using your ruler, on the wrong side of the 2 background squares draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.  Now lay your background square blocks onto your print square blocks with right sides together.  Pin the squares together along either side of the drawn line.  Now simply sew 1/4" along each side of the drawn line.  (You should be an expert at this now as it is pretty similar to our flying geese process :)



Using your ruler, cut along the drawn line to separate your 2 sewn pieces into 4 sewn pieces.  Then press your seams for all 4 pieces towards the darker print.


So now you have the 4 half square triangles you need and all you have left is to trim them down to the appropriate size.  Use the highlighted line in the cutting chart to know what size to trim to. Now use the  45 degree angle mark along the center line of your HST and trim down all 4 sides to the designated measurement.


So now your blocks are ready to be sewn together.  Lay out your four HST's in the following layout to make this cute diamond.  Sew the pieces together to make 2 rows by laying 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.  Press your seams open to avoid bulk.


You should now have 2 rows that look like this :)  Now sew the 2 rows together by laying the top row onto the bottom row with right sides together.  Now go ahead and line up your center seam and pin that first.  Then go ahead and pin the edges.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Clip your threads and press your seam open.


And your center square is completed.  Isn't it cute!!!  You can set it aside for now.



**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 6'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!!


Yippee Skippee!!!  The last of the Star Blocks!!!  I will give everyone some time to get these and other blocks done.  (I surely have some catch-up to do as well :)  So expect the final layout sometime around end of next week or so.  Until then, enjoy your STARS!!!
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6 comments:

  1. Yay Block 6. Thanks Melissa. I am still waiting for my white to arrive so glad final layout is end of next week. Hope you are keeping well...not long now! Hugs Linda

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  2. YAY for block 6!!!!

    Good news! I was very lucky at the sewing machine store today. The technician came downstairs just as I brought my machine in. The woman at the counter had him listen to the noise it was making and he fixed it right then and there =D YAY!!

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  3. You were in my dream last night... it was just a random one that I don't really remember, but I remember waking up (to pee) thinking... She must be getting close!

    Cute block too. :)

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  4. I've been stalking my blogger dashboard since MONDAY for this! I'm so happy it's here. Another week until the final layout is posted? Really? Torment! Ah well, I should work on this skully hoopla anyway. You do realize while I'm waiting for you I will HAVE to make some quilted potholders to fend off the monster you've created, right? Good thing I have swaps!

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  5. Pleased it took awhile for Block Six. Hope to catch up this weekend. thanks Melissa and look after yourself.

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

Melissa