Double Friendship Star, Block #3

Hello, Ties that Bind Quilters!  This week's blog is about our Friendship Star Quilt Block of the Month, called Double Friendship Star.
I'm going to take you through the sewing step by step, but you'll need your instructions from Pam for cutting directions.
Ready?  Here we go!

For me, the first step was the hardest--choosing fabrics that went together, but had enough contrast to stand out.  In the end, I went with the classic 1930s combination of print and solid.

With the fabrics decided, it's on to the cutting. 
Once everything is cut, I always lay it out like a jigsaw puzzle, so I can see where I am.

The block is a 9 patch, and each square in the 9 patch measures 4 in. finished. 

Four of these squares are the corners, and are super easy.

Two more of the squares are large half square triangles, made from a background triangle and a triangle cut from the fabric you chose for the big star.  Just sew those triangles together, and trim to 4.5 in.

That's six squares done already, with only 2 seams.  This isn't hard, is it?

There are only 3 squares left, and these are a bit more complicated, but just half square triangles and squares.  These are pictured at the top of the second page of your directions.

Center Square

This is the center of the block.  You need two squares, one of each star color, and two half square triangles made of the star colors.  They are arranged as above, and stitched.

And here's the finished center.

Next comes the square to the right of the center, still in the center row of the block.

This time, we have a square of the big star fabric, a square of the background fabric, a square made of a background triangle and a big star triangle, and a square made of a background triangle and a small star triangle.  Easy sewing.  (For some unknown reason, I didn't take a photo of it finished.  I'm blaming the cat.)

Now for the last pieced square, the center square in the bottom row.

This one is a tiny bit more complex.  There is one square of background fabric, two squares made from background triangles and big star triangles, and one square made from a big star triangle and a small star triangle.

If you got this far, you're almost done.  It's all down hill from here.

Just sew all your sections into rows, and the rows together to complete the block.

And that's it!  Isn't it cute to see that little star peeking out?

Here's all my blocks together.

I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

If you didn't get the directions, be sure to contact Pam W.
Big thanks to Pam for designing this quilt for us!

It's A Stitch Quilt Show

The It's A Stitch Quilt Show is coming up in early May (that's only a month away!)
Entry forms are due by April 12th.

For information about the show, entry forms, and links to all the Seed Packet Challenges from 2012 to 2018, click HERE.

Keep on quilting!

March Meeting This Week!

This Wednesday, March 20th, is our meeting date.  Hurray!  Let's all cross our fingers and hope for good weather.

Details:
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, Wisconsin


All are welcome.

So, what can you do with a 2.5 in. strip?  Let's find out!
This month starts our birthday strip exchange.  Each month, those of us participating will bring a strip (2.5 in. x width of fabric) for the participants who are having their birthdays that month.  Different people will ask for different colors or kinds of prints, etc.  BTW, don't forget to wish these ladies a Happy Birthday.
Here are the strips to bring on Wednesday.  The list includes February and March because we had to cancel the February meeting.

February
Kelly D. – Red or white (think aged flags)
Mary L. – 1930’s
Ree K. – deep purple or deep black
March
Lynn S. – blue

This should be fun!

Speaking of fun, have you been making the Blocks of the Month?  Pam W. has designed a quilt just for us, with the very appropriate theme of Friendship.  So far, we have received the first two blocks.  Here are mine:

How is this going to work?  We'll find out as we go along.
With only one block per month, it wouldn't be too hard to catch up if you haven't started yet.  Just saying.
Bring your finished blocks to the meeting.  I can't wait to see what colors and fabrics everybody is using.

Here's Homework Puppy to tell us what else to bring to the meeting.

Panel Quilts (if you made one)

Dues (if you haven't paid yet)

 Food Pantry Donations (cash or grocery cards, please)

 YOUR NAME TAG!!!  (Wear it with pride!)

Show and Tell (the very best part!)



And now for some virtual show and tell.  
First, I apologize for all the terrible camera angles.  Photography is not really my thing (can you tell?).  Also, if your quilt isn't pictured, it's probably because I took a blurry photo or otherwise goofed up.  I'm very sorry.

Virtual Show and Tell

 
Wow!  There is so much talent in our group!  Great job, everyone.
See you on Wednesday!