Hello, Ties that Bind Quilters! Our block of the month for March is a 12 in. star, as seen above.
This star has lots of different names, like Sawtooth Star, Variable Star, etc., and it's one most quilters are probably familiar with.
Our color scheme for this block is red, white, and blue. (USA! USA!)
Start by cutting a center square, 6.5" x 6.5".
Next, cut 4 squares for the corners. Each square will measure 3.5 in. x 3.5 in. My background is dark and my star points are light, but you can reverse that if you like.
The only challenging thing about this block is making the 4 "flying geese" units, which make up the star points and the background.
There are LOTS of good ways to do this.
Here are some of your choices.
1. Make 8 half square triangles with the star point fabric and the background fabric (above white and red), thus avoiding making flying geese units at all. Your units will measure 3 in. square FINISHED.
2. Use the sew and flip method, cutting one background rectangle and two squares of star point fabric. Good directions are at:
Sawtooth at Marcia Hohn's Quilters Cache.
3. Use the "make 4 flying geese units at once" method, which you can find
HERE. There are directions for 4 different sizes of stars.
Or, you can use my method, which I outline below. For this method, you need an Easy Angle ruler and a Companion Angle ruler, or similar rulers which do the same thing (Bonnie Hunter has one).
Easy Angle/Companion Angle Method
1. Start with a 3.5 in. strip of light (for the star points) and a 3.5 in. strip of dark (for the background).
2. Cut 8 light triangles from the 3.5 in. light strip, using the Easy Angle ruler.
3. Cut 4 dark triangles from the 3.5 in. dark strip, using the Companion Angle ruler.
All the triangles are cut.
4. Sew the light triangles to one side of each of the dark triangles. Press toward the LIGHT triangles. (Yes, I'm serious. You CAN press toward the light. It works better this way with flying geese.)
FYI, pressing toward the light is not a sin.
5. Now sew the light triangles on the opposite side, and press toward the LIGHT again.
There, done. No need to draw lines or stress out.
6. To finish the block, lay it out like this:
Sew the rows together just like a nine patch, and finish the block.
And that's all there is to it! Whatever method you use, you'll have a classic star block that looks good in any kind of fabric.
Here's Homework Puppy, to tell us what to bring for the March meeting. Don't worry, it's all voluntary, no report cards or detentions will be given.
Block of the Month, as many as you care to make
2.5 in strips of 100% cotton fabric, selvedge to selvedge, to trade, in groups of 20.
Food Pantry Cash or Grocery Cards, if you'd like to contribute.
Show and Tell
Christmas Shirt Blocks
Patriotic Blocks in either 12 in. or 6 in. finished sizes
Hey, we've got a lot going on! Better wear your name tag!
See you on March 21st at 6:30 p.m.
