Star Sampler Block #7

We're back with star block #7, created by Shanna from Fiber of All Sorts. She used solid white to create a narrow border around her star--such a cool look! And with her make-larger-and-trim-down approach,  this block is easier to make than you'd think! Just be aware that the outer edges of the star points may stretch slightly.

This sampler series of nine star blocks began last week and will run all of this week as well. The star blocks are made using Ro Gregg's Marblehead Venetian Glass fabrics. If you missed blocks #1-6, you'll find links for them at the bottom of this post. Plus, don't miss the chance to enter a giveaway to win a bundle of these gorgeous prints! 

Shanna: This whole quilting experience keeps changing my mind on what I like to make.  I’m on a flying goose kick lately and this block came easily to mind. Of course how to change things up is always fun!

As a warning these block pieces are made larger pieces and then trimmed down to size. I have been using this methodology as the blocks have turned out so much easier to piece.

Usually I leave just a 1/4" and that is my happy medium to be able to trim down and get the pieces just right.

As a note I’m a press to the side kinda gal.  Press as you desire.

Here’s a tutorial for A Blooming Marvelous Star:

Materials:

For a 12” finished block (12.5” unfinished block)

 

Background Fabric

(blue in our example):

 Cut 2 – 5”  x  5”

Cut 4 – 3.25” x 3.25”

Outline fabric

(white in our example)

 Cut 2 - WOF  x 1.0”

Star fabric

(multi-tonal in our example)

 Cut 1 - 6.5” x 6.5”

Cut 4 -  5” x 5” (Cut these diagonally in half once)

Optional: Flying geese ‘Block Loc’ ruler

Construction:

1/4" seams throughout

1.    Add 1.0” outline fabric (white) to all sides of the 5” x 5” background fabric pieces.

Add these first to 2 opposite sides

 

Press, Trim

 

Add to the last two sides, Press,Trim

2.    Take the 5.0” x 5.0” pieces and cut them diagonally in half.

3.    Take and make a ‘square in square’ with the background with the outline fabric with the diagonal pieces made in step 2.  

I usually finger press a crease a line to match the point across from the longest diagonal.

Repeat to finish with a block like this.

 

Make sure to repeat this for both 5.0” x 5.0” blue pieces

4.    Trim the created block in step 3 into 2 flying geese blocks.

These result in 4 ~ 3.5” x 6.5” flying geese blocks

This can be easily completed with a block loc ruler, but you are more than able to do this with a ruler.

Here’s the ease of a bloc loc ruler, make sure to match the point of the goose up with the outside point.

 

Or you can use a ruler by lining up a ruler on the point of the goose on the lines in the photo below.

 

Here is the photo of the ‘waste’ fabrics. Not too shabby for such a pretty star. And the precision is what I’m always happy with.

5.    Take the 3.25” x 3.25” background (blue) squares and add 1.0” outline fabric (white) to two adjacent sides.  As shown below.

 

Repeat for all four corners.

This will make the ‘highlight’ of the of the geese.

Trim these down from the white pieces to 3.5” x 3.5”

6.    You’ll be assembling the star just like a 9-patch, as shown below.

 

And in the end you’ll have A Blooming Marvelous Star

If you have questions, please stop by my blog at Fiber of All Sorts.

Thanks Shanna!

      For a chance to win one of 3 fat quarter bundles of Marblehead Venetian Glass, sign up to follow Inspired by Fabric (using the "follow" button or the "follow by email" button in the right hand side bar) and leave an email letting us know you did, as well as telling us--what size quilt do you make most (lap, bed, wall hanging, table runners, etc.)? You can leave a comment to enter once for each post during the Star Sampler hop (9 entries total). The giveaway will be open through Monday, March 17th at 11:59 EST, and we'll randomly pick 3 winners on Wednesday of that week. 

     Make sure you catch the tutorials for all the blocks in the sampler!

     Star #1: Connie of Free Motion by the River

     Star #2: Joanne

     Star #3: Fabri-Quilt blog team

     Star #4: Dawn from Spring Water Designs

     Star #5: Heidi from The Whimsical Workshop 

     Star #6: Fabri-Quilt blog team
     Star #8: Tammy from Tamarinis
     Star #9: Monica from Diary of a Quilt Maven