My Patchwork Quilt: BLOCK 22: MY COUNTRY STAR

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

BLOCK 22: MY COUNTRY STAR

You may notice that this star block pattern looks a little different, but not sure why. Or you may realize the difference. I noticed the difference right away and knew I had to make it. You can think of it as a Nine-Patch with just a few changes.

It also gave me a chance to use a few more of the 5" squares I had left from a Moda charm pack I have called Williamsburg. I have lost count of how many blocks I have made using that one charm pack. And I still have a few more left. Yay.

I thought I would use a more muslin look for the star instead of white since it looked a little better with the colors in the charm pack. As you might notice from my pictures, I changed my mind several times while making the block regarding the location of some of the squares. I think I like what I finally ended up with. The block also went together faster than the traditional star block.

HOW TO MAKE MY COUNTRY STAR BLOCK PATTERN

(all seams are 1/4" wide)

CHOOSE eight (8) different prints (a charm pack works well) plus a light color for the star.

CUT a 4.5" square from each of the eight (8) prints

eight (8) - 2.5" squares and one(1) - 4.5" square from the fabric for the star

ARRANGE the larger squares on a table or design wall as shown in the drawing for a nine-patch. The smaller eight squares are added to the even numbered squares to make the points on the star.

We will use the same method you use to make flying geese but with smaller squares (which is what gives the star a different look just in case you haven't figured it out yet.)

DRAW a diagonal line with a pencil on the wrong side of each of the 2.5" squares. You will use two of the smaller squares with four of the 4.5" squares to make the points on the star one point at a time.

Match one of the small squares on one corner of the 4.5" squares making sure it matches up perfectly.

SEW on the drawn line.

TRIM 1/4" away from the sewn line toward the corner.

PRESS the seam open first on the wrong side and then on the right side making sure you are pressing close to the seam.

PLACE the other small square on the parallel corner overlapping in the center with the other point.

TRIM as before.

PRESS as before and place it back on the design wall in its place.

REPEAT with the other three squares. Now you are ready to sew the nine-patch together.

CHECK and make sure squares are square and if not note the difference so when you sew the pieces together you will know where to make allowances. Rows should measure 4.5" wide and individual squares should measure 4.5" square.