Sunday, April 26, 2020
Hello, Again!
Today we're starting the 12' blocks, and this one is courtesy of Virlene. But first, I should clarify that when I say you're making a 12" finished block, that is the size it will be when it is sewn in your quilt. When I give you the size of the completed unit or block at the end of the instructions, that is what it should measure from raw edge to raw edge, and includes the seam allowance to sew into your quilt later on. Sorry if that wasn't clear before.
You are making two 12" finished (12.5" unfinished) Star in a Star blocks. I am making one purple and one yellow-green. You have several options with your color placement on these. You could use a single fabric for the star center and backgrounds. You could use one fabric for the center, another for the background of the small star and a third for the background of the large star. Have fun with these and follow your bliss!
Today's blocks are all about flying geese. The cutting instructions below are for the four-at-a-time method (if you haven't done them this way before, I suggest you watch the Creative Grids video -- method 2). I like this technique because they're fast, accurate and have minimal waste. You can use a regular ruler to trim the geese units, but I like either the Creative Grids flying geese ruler or the Wing Clipper if you have one. You may also want to treat your fabric before cutting with Best Press or spray starch.
Cutting instructions for one block.
CUTTING:
| Coordinating Fabric 1 (small star center) |
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| Cut one 3 1/2" strip (or use a scrap) | Cut one 3 1/2" square |
| Coordinating Fabric 2 (small star background) |
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| Cut one 4 1/2" strip | Cut one 4 1/2" square |
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Cut four 2" squares |
| Coordinating Fabric 3 (large star background) |
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| Cut one 7 1/2" strip | Cut one 7 1/2" square |
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Cut four 3 1/2" squares |
| Focus Fabric (black dots -- star points) |
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| Cut one 4 1/8" x WOF strip (makes 2 blocks) | Cut four 4 1/8" squares |
| Cut one 2 5/8" x WOF strip | Cut four 2 5/8" squares |
PIECING:
Using the four-at-a-time method for making flying geese, layer two 2 5/8" focus squares right sides together on the 4 1/2" coordinating fabric 2 square. Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner through the black squares (or use your magic wand to mark the sewing lines). Sew 1/4" on either side of the line. Cut apart on the drawn line.
Press toward the small squares. Layer a 2 5/8" square face down on each of the pieced units. Mark, sew, cut and press as in the previous step.
Trim units to 2" x 3 1/2" (will finish at 1 1/2" x 3").
Repeat with the 7 1/2" coordinating fabric 3 square and the 4 1/8" focus squares. Trim units to 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" (3" x 6" finished).
Lay out the center star units as shown. Sew together in rows, pressing toward the corner and center squares. Your center star units should measure 6 1/2".
Lay out the remaining units as shown, and sew together. Your block should measure 12 1/2".
Block 1 done! I love it!
Here is where we are after this step:
Have fun and let me know if you have any questions.