Anna's Stars Quilt Along Week Two

 Anna’s Stars Quilt Along - Week Two 

Quilt Size: 35” x 35”
Finished Blocks: 6” x 6”
Yardage is based on 42”-wide fabric (WOF*)
Fat Eighths:  approximately 9" x 22"

Please read through the post before you start cutting. It is a good idea to become familiar with the process before starting.

Just a bit more cutting to do ….

Referring to your pattern cut the following from each of the eleven assorted Fat Eighth prints for the blocks:

2, 22” strips from each print, by the required width shown in the pattern

Sub-cut into:

Star Points (B): 104, (measurement in pattern) squares (draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each square OR read further for an optional method)

Star Centers (C): 52, (measurement in pattern) squares

Cornerstones (I): cut 12, small print squares (this step can be left until the quilt is laid out and then you can decide which prints you want to use. I found that I had enough of the larger squares (B & C) left over that I could cut them down to use for the cornerstones).

“B” and “C” are the same measurement and it is up to you whether you want to separate them into individual piles or lump them altogether into one big pile.

Constructing the Star Center Blocks ...

Let’s gather up all of our “B” and “C”/“D” squares and get those set over by our sewing machine.  There are enough "C" and "D" squares to pick a nice variety of prints for the Star Center blocks - mix them up and have fun!  You only need to choose 52 - the remainder are set aside for the Star Point blocks.

                                  

Now ….. there are two ways (and likely more!) that a person can use to sew a square to another square on the diagonal.

The first way (which is outlined in the pattern) is to draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each of the tiny background squares (D).  You would then place this marked square right sides together (RST) in the corner of one of the "C" squares, and sew directly on the drawn line.

The second method, which does not involve drawing diagonal lines on those tiny, tiny squares, is to find yourself some painters tape - blue, green - doesn’t matter. Using your ruler draw a line with a fine tip pencil or pen - preferably in the centre of the tape, but it really doesn’t matter as long as it is a straight line. Make sure it is a dark line.

                                            

Position the tape on your machine so that it lines up with your machine needle but not touching the feed dogs. Gently lay the tape down ensuring that it remains straight with the needle and press it in place. 

Place one of your tiny background squares (D) right sides together (RST) to one of the corners on a (C) block. Line it up with the needle and the line on the tape and take a couple of stitches to secure it.  I like to double check at this point and adjust the tip of the fabric again (if necessary) with the drawn line and then sew to the tip.

                                            

Hint: I find it easier to watch the tip of the fabric on the drawn line when sewing rather than watching where the needle is going. 

Using the assembly line sewing method continue sewing the tiny (D) squares to the one corner of the 52 (C) print squares.

   

Trim, leaving a 1/4” seam allowance. This can be done free hand as it is such a small cut, but if you prefer you can most certainly use a ruler to ensure an “exact” 1/4”.  NOTE:  The trimmed triangles are way too small to save!  Toss them and carry on 😀.

Gather up all of your sewn units and take them to the ironing board.  This is a good opportunity to give them another quick spritz of starch as you flip them open. Gently press with a hot, dry iron towards the tiny background square.

Stack them up and set aside for Week Four of the Quilt Along.

Next week we will work on those Star Points and maybe a bit of block construction!

Please remember to contact me if you have any questions!

’til next time,

QB