Seeing Stars Quilt-Along - Improv Star Block

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Seeing Stars Quilt-A-Long.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win one of three $75.00 Gift Certificate grand prizes sponsored by  Fat Quarter Shop you can find a list of the post links here :)  Here is the schedule

August 6th- Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement 

August 15th - Double Star Block

August 22nd - Curvy Star Block  

August 29th - Pinwheel Star Block 

September 5th - Improv Star Block (That's Today!!)

September 12th - Basic Star Block

September 19th - Applique Star Block

September 26th - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

October 17th- Seeing Stars Parade and Grand Prize Winners

Now, first off for this week, we need to pick a winner for the Curvy Star Block Assignment.   And I just have to say, you all are amazing!!!  Your Curvy Star Blocks just looked fantastic, and for a lot of you, it was your first time sewing curves ;)  That is incredible!!!   Thanks so much for quilting along with me and being willing to try new things!!!

The Curvy Star Block assignment winner who gets a $25.00 Gift Certificate from The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. is

#8 - Beth!!! - Congrats :)

 

I hope everyone is enjoying making these Stars so far!!!   Today, we move onto the Improv Stars and get our wonky sewing on, so let's get going :)  If you are just finding this QAL, it's never to late to join in the fun :)

THE IMPROV STAR BLOCK

STEP 1 - CUTTING

We will be making 9 Improv Star Blocks.  I will give the cutting directions for 1 Improv Star Block (for those that are making alternate layouts).  Then I will give the cutting directions for the Total Pieces needed for all the Improv Star Blocks.    Each Print Fabric listed represents a different part of the star block.  Below the initial single block cutting list is an image of the Improv Star Block just to clarify where each fabric is placed in the block.   


Improv Star Block - For Each Block cut:

Print Fabric Center Square  - (1) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square
Print Fabric Star Points - (4) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares
Background Fabric - (4) 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles
                                  (4) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares
                           

So for all 9 Improv Star Blocks you will cut:

Print Fabric Center Square  - (9) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square - 1 square each of 9 different prints
Print Fabric Star Points - (36) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares - 4 squares each of 9 different prints
Background Fabric - (36) 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles
                                  (36) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares

***  Keeping it real here!!   I accidentally cut all of my Star Point Squares 1" to small.  Yup, it happens.  So you will note in the picture above that the Star Point squares look small and that there are no multiple pictures of fabric in this tutorial.  That is because I had to order some extra fabric and it is still on the way.  I made the sample pics with the last bit of my scraps and will make all my blocks when the new charm packs arrive ;)  

STEP 2 - MAKING THE WONKY FLYING GEESE UNITS

Playing with wonky angles is a lot of fun, once we get the idea that it really is supposed to be wonky.  Sometimes it can be hard to let go of that 1/4" perfection that we are so accustomed to, but just try for this week, to really play.  You can make your angles as wonky as you choose, but the fun really comes in when we just let it go and see what angles we can create.

We will start by cutting all 36 of our Star Point squares in half.   Just keep them in sets of similar fabrics once you have cut them. 

Now, this is where the playing begins.   Place 4 Star Point Triangles on 4 Background 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles with the triangle point being opposite of the rectangle point as shown below.   This is where you can play with the angle.  We will be stitching a 1/4" seam using the long edge of the triangle as a seam guide and making essentially stitch and flip corners.   But first, let's double check our angles.

When you are first starting with Improv Angles, it is a good idea to make sure your angle is still covering your background fabric.  So to do this, gently flip over your triangle leaving a 1/4" seam below and give it a very soft finger press.  If the entire corner of the background rectangle is covered, you are good to go.  If some of it is showing, you will want to adjust the angle of your Star Point Triangle.     After stitching a few of these, you will start to see exactly how far you can and can't angle, and won't need to do this double check anymore ;)

And now with your angles double checked, you can chain stitch along the edge of the Star Point Triangle.   Keep chain stitching from corner to corner, even if you are only stitching on the Star Point Triangle at times.   Once you have finished Chain Stitching all 36 units, go ahead and clip your threads. 

And now, we are going to do one more double check before we cut and pass the point of no return :)  Flip your your Star Point Triangles over and gently finger press to ensure that the entire corner of the background fabric is covered by the Star Point Triangle.   If you have more than a 1/4" of background fabric sticking out (it happens sometimes :) simply rip your seam, adjust your angle, and stitch it again.  

And with your double check looking good, you can now flip your triangles back over and align your ruler with the edge of the triangle.  Then trim off the excess background fabric on all 36 units.

Now Pressing.   Press the seam allowance towards the Print Star Point Triangles.  I prefer to press them from the front rather than the back, but do what is comfortable for you :)

Now it is just repeating the same steps, but for the other side.  

 So grab the remaining Star Point Triangles, and making sure the fabrics match, place a Star Point Triangle on the opposite side of each unit.  You might be crossing over the other Star Point as well as background fabric and that is just fine.    Do the initial double check if you feel like you need it, and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam on all 36 units using the triangle as your seam guide.  

Now flip your triangles and lightly finger press your seams to Double Check that all of the background fabric is covered.  If you have an angle that got a little to wonky, just rip it and restitch it.

Now again, flip your triangles back over and use the edge as a cutting guide to trim the excess fabric.  And this time, you can be trimming a little Star Point Fabric as well as the background fabric.

Now back to the ironing board, and Press your seam allowance towards the Star Point Triangles.   Press all 36 units.

And now just a little bit of trimming.  You will be trimming your units to 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles.
Begin by aligning the background fabric rectangle with the 3 1/2" and 6 1/2" lines on your ruler as shown below.   Trim the 2 sides along the edge of the ruler.

Now spin your unit 180 degrees.  Now align your newly trimmed sides with the 3 1/2" and 6 1/2" lines on your ruler as shown below. Trim the remaining wonky side.

And if you happen to have a 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" sized ruler, you can simply place it on your unit aligning the bottom corners with your background fabric corners, and then just trim all 3 sides :)

Trim all 36 Wonky Flying Geese units to measure 3 1/2" x 6 1/2".  Aren't they just so fun!!!

STEP 3 - MAKING THE IMPROV STAR BLOCK

And with your units all done you can now make your Improv Star Block.   Layout a Center Square, 4 Matching Wonky Flying Geese Units, and 4  Background 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares as shown below.  Just like with previous stars, I like to stack up all 9 of my block sets on top of one another so I can Chain Stitch each of the following steps.  You can choose to do this or just make 1 block at a time, whatever you are comfortable with. 

 Place the Outside Units in each column onto the Center Column units with right sides together.  Align and Pin your edges then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the units in each of the 3 rows on either side of the center units.   And the fun thing is, because these are wonky, you don't even have to worry about points.  Just stitch away ;)

Then press your seams in the top and bottom rows outwards towards the Background squares and press the seams in the center row inwards towards the center square.  This will allow your seams to nest in the next step.

And one last set of seams.  Place the Top and Bottom rows onto the Center row with right sides together.  Align and pin the seams an stitch a 1/4" seam along the two pinned edges.

 And just press your seams open and you are done!!!!  9 super fun Improv Star Blocks that measure 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" and are all ready for your Seeing Stars Quilt!!!    And I promise to get my 9 sewn as soon as the new fabric arrives ;)

*** Update - My fabric arrived and I got my stars all done!!!  Aren't they just so fun how they twinkle!!!   Have fun stitching ;)

So now it's your turn, get your Improv Star Blocks made and your assignment is complete!!!  And then you can enter to win the weekly prize :)

The Weekly Prize is sponsored by Olie and Evie and a huge thanks goes out to them for their support of the  Seeing Stars Quilt-Along.

This weeks prize is an awesome Low Volume Fat Quarter Bundle of the brand new Smitten Collection by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.   How fun is that yummy low volume goodness!!!   I so love these prints and they would be amazing in any project ;)

    

So what do you have to do for a chance to win this Low Volume Bundle?  Simple . . . Just link up your Improv Star Blocks at the end of this post :)  You can link to a blog post or a social media picture, or whatever.   If you are struggling with linking up, I wrote a little Linky Tutorial over here, that might help ;)  Just make sure to link up by the early morning of September 12th as I will be announcing a winner in next quilt-a-long post :)

If you don't get your Improv Star Blocks done by next week you can still link it up :) (just not in time for the prize :) The linky will remain open until the end of the Quilt-Along.  

And Don't forget to add your beautiful Improv Star Blocks to #seeingstarsquiltalong on social media or at the  Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Flickr group.   I am so excited to see all of your fun Improv Star Blocks  ;)  Let the wonky sewing begin!!!!  

 Have a Happy Quilting Day!!  

And remember, any questions, just email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com ;)

An InLinkz Link-up

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Arctic 10" Square  from Fat Quarter Shop is . . .  Number #244 . . .   Congrats Bec!!!   I have emailed you :)      

 

       

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Green Fairy Quilts.  Green Fairy Quilts is your home for pre-cut goodness and they always have amazing sales going on every weekend on a selected pre-cut or notion!!!  And did you know that Green Fairy Quilts has a Deal of The Day!!!   Be sure to check those out for some major quilting savings!!!

And today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway has some Holiday Cheer!! Green Fairy Quilts will be giving one lucky reader a Portsmouth Layer Cake by Minick and Simpson for Moda!! How pretty are these prints, and how fun would they be in our Seeing Stars Quilt Along right now.  Gotta love some Red, White, and Blue for Stars!!!  

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me what inspires your creative spark??

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Green Fairy Quilts love.   You can Sign up for their Newsletter which I highly recommend as it will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales!!  You can follow them on Twitter or Facebook,  or you can visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Green Fairy Quilt Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, Sep. 11th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

** This post contains affiliate links. 

Seeing Stars Quilt-Along - Pinwheel Star Block

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Seeing Stars Quilt-A-Long.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win one of three $75.00 Gift Certificate grand prizes sponsored by  Fat Quarter Shop you can find a list of the post links here :)  Here is the schedule

August 6th- Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement 

August 15th - Double Star Block

August 22nd - Curvy Star Block  

August 29th - Pinwheel Star Block (That's Today!!)

September 5th - Improv Star Block

September 12th - Basic Star Block

September 19th - Applique Star Block

September 26th - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

October 17th- Seeing Stars Parade and Grand Prize Winners

Now, first off for this week, we need to pick a winner for the Curvy Star Block Assignment.   And I just have to say, you all are amazing!!!  Your Curvy Star Blocks just looked fantastic, and for a lot of you, it was your first time sewing curves ;)  That is incredible!!!   Thanks so much for quilting along with me and being willing to try new things!!!

The Curvy Star Block assignment winner who gets a Acorn Love Table Runner Kit from Shabby Fabrics is

#33 - nbholley!!! - Congrats :)

   

   

And just like that, we are on to our third set of blocks , so let's get going :)  If you are just finding this QAL, it's never to late to join in the fun :)

THE PINWHEEL STAR BLOCK

STEP 1 - CUTTING

We will be making 4 Pinwheel Star Blocks.  I will give the cutting directions for 1 Pinwheel Star Block (for those that are making alternate layouts).  Then I will give the cutting directions for the Total Pieces needed for all Pinwheel Star Blocks.    Each Print Fabric listed represents a different part of the star block.  Below the initial single block cutting list is an image of the Pinwheel Star Block just to clarify where each fabric is placed in the block.   


Pinwheel Star Block - For Each Block cut:

Print Fabric A  - (4) 5" x 5" squares
Print Fabric B - (4) 5" x 5" squares
Background Fabric - (4) 5" x 5" squares
                                  (4) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares
                             

So for all 4 Pinwheel Star Blocks you will cut:

Print Fabric A  - (16) 5" x 5" squares - 4 squares each of 4 different prints
Print Fabric B - (16) 5" x 5" squares - 4 squares each of 4 different prints
Background Fabric - (16) 5" x 5" squares
                                  (16) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares

STEP 2 - MAKING THE HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE UNITS
Half Square triangles are fun and fast and probably the most versatile building block in all of the piecing units you can make.  (At least in my opinion :)

We will start by gathering all our 5" squares for making HST units and pairing them.  So Gather 2 Print squares of each of your A Fabrics and pair them with 2 other Print squares of each of your B Fabrics as shown below on the left.  You will now have 2 Print Squares of each of your 8 Fabrics (A & B) remaining, and those are paired with your 16 Background 5" Fabric squares.

So has everyone got their 5" squares paired.   Excellent, let's make some Half Square Triangles!!!
Start by using a ruler to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all your B Fabric Squares in the A/B Pairings.  And then draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all our Print Squares in the Print/Background Pairings.   **Note - If you have a marked 1/4" line on your machine (like I explained at the beginning of this QAL Tutorial)  lots of times you can skip the drawing step, just to let you know ;)

Take a pairing of squares and align them with rights sides together.  Pin both sides adjacent to that drawn line, be sure to place them far enough out to leave room for your presser foot to stitch on by.  Or, if you are feeling confident since you squares aren't to large, you can stitch these without pinning :)   Stitch a seam 1/4" from EITHER side of the drawn line (the black lines represent your stitching lines :)

And of course, to save time and thread, we want to chain stitch these. Start by stitching a 1/4" seam on the left hand side of the drawn line. Chain stitched all your Print/Background unit pairs and then continue on with your PrintA/PrintB unit pairs.  There will be 24 units total. 

 Then clip the threads between the squares, stack them up, and now stitch the 1/4" seam on the other side of the drawn line.  Once all 24 units are stitched, clip the threads between the squares.

And now, back to cutting.   Align your ruler along the drawn center line (or from corner to corner).   Cut along the edge of your ruler, creating two triangles that each have a 1/4" seam.  Cut all 24 Units in half.

Now Pressing.   On the PrintA/PrintB units press the seam allowance towards the Darker fabric.  On the Print/Background units press the seam allowance towards the Print fabric.  I prefer to press them from the front rather than the back, but do what is comfortable for you :)

And now the fun part, trimming.  You will be trimming your blocks to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" square.
Begin by aligning the 45 degree line on your square ruler with the seam line on your half square triangle.  Make sure that the raw edges of the half square triangle are over the 4 1/2" line's on your ruler.  Trim the 2 sides along the edge of the ruler.  There won't be a whole lot to trim.

Now spin your half square triangle unit 180 degrees.  Once again, align the 45 degree line on your ruler with the seam line on your half square triangle.  Align the raw edges of the half square triangle with the 4 1/2" lines on your ruler.  Trim the 2 sides along the edge of the ruler.

And this is just a side note, but if you do a lot of Half Square Triangles in your quilting, I find the best tools to really speed up trimming is a Rotating Cutting Mat ( I use the  Matilda's Own Rotating Cutting mat ) and the HST Bloc-Loc Rulers.   And if you have the same size ruler as the trimming size, you can simply loc the ruler on the seam allowance and trim all 4 sides while you turn your mat.   It's super slick and super fast!!!  These tools are a little pricey, but I find they are worth their weight in gold, especially since I do a lot of HST's :)

Trim all 48 units.  You should now have 32 Print/Background Half Square Triangle Units and 16 PrintA/Print B Half Square Triangle units that all measure 4 1/2" x 4 1/2".  And I know, it seems like a lot of work to just trim off a little, but having perfect HST's makes putting the rest of your block together and getting those perfect points so much easier ;)

STEP 3 - MAKING THE PINWHEEL STAR BLOCK

And with your units all done you can now make your Pinwheel Star Block.  Layout 4 Matching PrintA/PrintB Half Square Triangle Units as shown below.  Just like with previous stars, I like to stack up all 4 of my block sets on top of one another so I can Chain Stitch each of the following steps.  You can choose to do this or just make 1 block at a time, whatever you are comfortable with.    The tutorial will just go over making 1 block so it is less confusing.

Place the right hand Units in each row onto the left hand units in each row with right sides together.  The center seams will Nest, or lock against each other.  Once nested pin your sets and then  chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edges.

Press your seams open to avoid bulk, especially at that center point.

Place the Top row onto the Bottom row with right sides together.  You will be Aligning and Pinning the seams, and then stitching  a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  But when you go to align that center seam where the points all meet up, you can use a pin trick to make sure it is aligned perfectly.

Here's how to do it.  With right sides together, place the pin through the bottom of the Print Fabric V in the top seam, and then through the top of the HST Point in the bottom seam as shown below. 

Then straighten the pin so it is standing straight up and the two points you pinned through are aligned.  Then simply add pin to the side of the seam allowance to hold the points in place.  Then remove the standing pin.    This Pin trick can be used whenever you are matching two points.

And now, you points are perfectly aligned.  So to finish the perfect point, when sewing the 1/4" seam be sure to sew directly along the bottom of the little V that the print fabrics make as shown below.

Press the center seam Open.  And now your Pinwheel Center is complete and you are ready to add the Outer Star Points.   Layout the Pinwheel Center Unit, 4 Matching Print A/Background Half Square Triangle Units, 4 Matching Print B/Background Half Square Triangle Units, and 4  Background 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares as shown below, taking care the HST's are making star points and matching the Pinwheel.

Now we need to sew those Star Points together.  Place the right hand unit onto the left hand unit with right sides together.   Align and pin the squares and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam on all the pinned pairs.  

Press the seam allowances open, again to avoid bulk and to let us see the fabric V guide that we will use when sewing the rest of the block together.

 Place the Outside Units in each column onto the Center Column units with right sides together.  Align your seams, taking care to match the Half Square Triangle Seams in the center row.   Pin, and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the units in each of the 3 rows on either side of the center units.   And be sure on the center row units, to use that fabric V and stitch directly along the bottom of the Fabric V.

Then press your seams in the top and bottom rows outwards towards the Background squares and press the seams in the center row open so it lies flat.

And one last set of seams.  Place the Top and Bottom rows onto the Center row with right sides together.  Align the seams, again matching those center seams, and Pin them in place.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the two pinned edges, stitching along the bottom of the fabric V.

 And just press your seams open and you are done!!!!  4 wonderful Pinwheel Star Blocks that measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" and are all ready for your Seeing Stars Quilt!!!  And as before,  I don't trim my blocks, but if you like to, just be sure to leave yourself the 1/4" seam allowance at the end of your star points ;)

So now it's your turn, get your Pinwheel Star Blocks made and your assignment is complete!!!  And then you can enter to win the weekly prize :)

The Weekly Prize is sponsored by The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  and a huge thanks goes out to them for their support of the  Seeing Stars Quilt-Along.

This weeks prize is a $25.00 Gift Certificate to The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. Someone is going to get to do some fun shopping after they make their Pinwheel Stars!!!   And what better than to get just what you have had your heart set on ;)

    

So what do you have to do for a chance to win the gift certificate?  Simple . . . Just link up your Pinwheel Star Blocks at the end of this post :)  You can link to a blog post or a social media picture, or whatever.   If you are struggling with linking up, I wrote a little Linky Tutorial over here, that might help ;)  Just make sure to link up by the early morning of September 5th as I will be announcing a winner in next quilt-a-long post :)

If you don't get your Pinwheel Star Blocks done by next week you can still link it up :) (just not in time for the prize :) The linky will remain open until the end of the Quilt-Along.  

And Don't forget to add your beautiful Pinwheel Star Blocks to #seeingstarsquiltalong on social media or at the  Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Flickr group.   I am so excited to see all of your amazing Pinwheel Star Blocks  ;)  Let the HST sewing begin!!!!  

 Have a Happy Quilting Day!!  

And remember, any questions, just email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com ;)

An InLinkz Link-up

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the  Metropolis Layer Cake  from Olie and Evie  is . . .  Number #58 . . .   Congrats Heather !!!   I have emailed you :)      

 

       

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop is amazing and they never cease to amaze me with everything they have going on at their shop!!!     And did you know they have a 24 Hour Flash Sale every day with 2 Flash Sales on Tuesdays!!  You will find some amazing deals there ;)

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a  Arctic 10" Square  by Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.  I absolutely love this line, and if you haven't seen Elizabeth's North Star Quilt she made with this Arctic line, you totally need to check it out.   In a word, Amazing!!!  

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me what project(s) you worked on this Summer Break? I can't believe it is almost September!!!!  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, You Tube or at their Blog.  You can Sign up for their Newsletter which will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales, or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Fat Quarter Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, September 4th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

** This post contains affiliate links.