Before
we get started…
Do
You Know what this is…
It
is a small ruler used to mark those little diagonal lines on the back of
squares.
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| QUARTER INCH RULER for diagonal markings |
|
Do
You Know how to use it…
You
just lay it down so you can see the corners and mark on both sides.
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| MARK across the diagonal of the square |
Do
You Know what you end up with…
Now
when you need even lines on the back of those smaller squares you know what to
do.
In
January we talked about some of ways to do the star-point or flying geese
blocks. That didn’t go very well, because I talk too fast and had dropped many
of my show ‘n’ tell.
Here
is the Star Point that most people find very easy to do and still be fairly
consistent and have correct measurements.
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| patches need for the flying geese no waste method |
Here
we go:
You
need (for a 6 ½” x 3 ½” star point)
1) 7 ¾” background square and 4) 4 ½” star
point squares.
Mark
double lines on the back of all 4 star points. Place the first two on opposite
corners of the background fabric. Mark the diagonals.
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| Sew on marked lines |
Sew on both drawn lines.
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| Sew on marked lines then cut apart |
Cut in half.
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| Cut the block on the diagonal ... be sure to set the seam |
One other thing, please make sure you set your
seam before pressing open. Press points up, on both pieces. They look like a
squared up heart.
 |
| looks like a heart block |
Place a marked square on each
piece.
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| Place a third marked square in the corner of the triangle then sew on the lines and cut apart |
Sew on both lines.
If you look close, you will see that the
sewing starts and ends in a vee. ( see red arrow) CUT unit in half then on diagonal.
Press all 4 pieces open.
Trim to a 6 ½” by 3 ½” star
point. Charlie loves the flying geese square up rulers by QUILT IN A DAY. There are similar products on the market. She finds this method most accurate.
 |
| Make sure there is ¼” seam
allowance after the point. |
You
will have 4 star points.
You
will need 4) 3 ½” squares of background fabric to place in the corner and to finish the star points.
Sew a
square to each side of two star points.
 |
| Trimmed flying geese patch with 3.5 square patches |
Sew remaining star points to opposite sides
of your center square.
Then
sew star points with corner squares to the other sides.
This will finish up a star
block with a center square.
•
You
can make all the star points for your quilt and set them aside.
•
By
the time you make a dozen or so you will be able to do them blindfolded.
•
By
that time you will also start to believe that they are fun to make and you will
see several ways to incorporate them in your quilts.
•
Then
you can decide which square to put inside the star point block.
•
A
Snowball Block
•
A
Half Log Cabin Block
•
A
Leah’s Star
•
A
Positive 9 Patch
•
A
Negative 9 Patch
•
A
Disappearing 9 Patch
•
Let’s
check out a Half Log Cabin Block
Here
is a Half Log Cabin block to use as the center.
You
start with a square of bright fabric, I used 2 ½” square. Add a piece to one
side. I am using 1 ½” strips of fabric to go around.
•
Log
Cabin Blocks can be made any size you want. This Half Log Cabin Block has a
larger center and smaller strips on the sides. It adds a little character. And
I can regulate size easier.
 |
| Made with 2 inch corner block surrounded by strips made from 1.5 inch strips till block equaled 6.5 inches |
You keep adding strips around until the
measures what you are looking for.
Making sure to press between each addition.
Press away from the center to make less bulk. See how the block is growing.
There
are several different uses for Log Cabin Blocks, Half Log Cabin Blocks or
variations of Log Cabin Blocks.
Just keep adding strips until
your block is as large as you want it.
You trim, use the diagonal line through the intersections on the diagonal to keep the block
square.
When
the block gets to your chosen size; finish the star block off by adding the
star points.
The other
quick block… A Snow Ball Block, which I will be using for all my I Spy
Blocks is very easy and it allows you to see much more of the printed fabric.
You can also put words on some of the blocks and have the kids match them.
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| FOCUS FABRIC = 6.5 inch CENTER patch and flippy corners made from 2.5 inch squares |
|
Working
toward a 6” finished block (6 ½” measurements)
You start
with a 6 ½” square of the print fabric; next you take (4) squares of background
fabric that are 2 ½” square. Unless you are making one huge snowball, 2 ½” is a
good corner square. Mark One Diagonal line on the back of these blocks. Place
on two opposite corners of your print square. Sew just inside this marked line;
this allows for the width of your thread and the fold of the fabric when you
press it back.
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| Sew on flippy corners on all corners, trim the corners then proceed with assembly |
Set the
remaining squares and sew. Press all corners to make sure they cover well.
Trim
corners to reduce bulk
And you have a Snowball Block to be put in the
star points to make a full star block for the I Spy quilt.
I hope that
everyone is having a good time doing this blocks.
I hope everyone is going to
donate a block or 2 or more so we can have at least 2 quilts to finish for each
challenge. Leslie’s, Anne’s and the main guild challenge.
Thanks,
CHARLIE (cc. Anna)
Here are some more pictures of different types of centers made by Charlie for inspiration.
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| FOUR PATCH |
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| POSITIVE NINE PATCH CENTER |
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| NEGATIVE NINE PATCH |
NOTE: Charlie recommends that you make the NINE PATCH block over size for the disappearing 9 patch block. She made hers 7.5 inches. ( I made mine 8 inches then trimmed down) Charlie's block measured 6.5 inches after sewing the sliced 9 patch. Mine was a little larger and I just trimmed it to size.
You can find more ideas on this blog. Just click on the pictures of the star and a new window will open up to directions.
https://thoughtandfound.wordpress.com/oh-my-stars/
ALL STARS QUILT ALONG - PATTERNS
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