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[3 x 6] Bee Block Star – Tutorial

For the last block, I decided to photograph the entire process and write up a little tutorial on how I constructed it.  I’m not sure what kind of star block it is, maybe an inverted star, or something?  If you know, feel free to pass along the name of it.  It was inspired by this block.  I simply figured out the measurements for a 12.5″ block.  I’ve had a thing for triangles lately.

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This particular block was the most difficult to construct color-wise.  One of my bee partners asked for a rainbow.  Initially, I thought it would be the easiest as I could just go to my stash and grab some of each color.  Then I got to thinking about how to arrange the colors.  At first, I was thinking of just going in a rainbow, you know, Roy G. Biv.  But, I realized that the block is not linear and the colors would get jumbled up.

I had an epiphany in the shower (don’t the best ideas come in the shower or when your driving and can’t write things down!).  I’d been contemplating making a value quilt with HST.  I could use the same principal here with color value and the parts of the star.  Each diamond shape would be cool colors and each corner would be warm colors.  And, there you have it.  It only took a couple weeks to come up with that one.

Onto the tutorial (click on images to make them larger):

 
Inverted Star Block

Block measures 12.5″ square when finished

Materials

White fabric

Print fabric

Sorry there’s no amounts.  I just kinda winged it.  You can use scraps for this block.  Your fabrics fabric scraps need to be at least 3 x 3″.  

Cutting

Cut from the white:

(1) 4.5 x 4.5″ square

(4) 2.5 x 2.5″ squares

(12) 3 x 3″ squares – cut these in half on the diagonal to make 24 triangles

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Cut from the print fabric:

(4) 2.5 x 2.5″ squares (not pictured)

(12) 3 x 3″ squares – cut these in half on the diagonal to make 24 triangles

IMG_1688

Arranging

Place the 4.5 x 4.5″ white square in the center.  Place the (4) 2.5 x 2.5″ prints on each corner.  Place two print triangles next to each 2.5 x 2.5″ square so that the hypotenuse (long edge) is pointing away from the square.  Create a diamond on each side of the larger white square using four triangles.  Be sure that the right angles are in the center of the diamond.  You do not need to fill in with the white triangles or small white squares, as long as you have a design board has a white background.  If it doesn’t you may want to put them in just to get an idea of the “white space.”

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Take a picture.  I used my phone for all my arrangement shots, except this one, as I just needed a reference picture for arrangement purposes.

Sewing & Trimming

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Sew a white triangle to each print triangle on the hypotenuse with a 1/4″ seam.  Press seams open.  I press my seams open, so that’s what you’ll see.  If you prefer to press them to the side, that’s okay, too.

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Trim each half square triangle.  First, align the diagonal line of the rule to the center line.  Be sure that the measurements on the opposite sides are more than 2.5″.  Trim off the edges.

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Turn the square 180º and line up the center line again.  Align it so that the square is 2.5″.  Trim.  Repeat for all your HSTs. This will take a little while, but be worth the extra effort to make your blocks square.  I passed the time by doing it while watching a T.V. show.

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Using the photograph, rearrange your block.  This time, include the 2.5″ and 4.5″ white squares.  You’ll notice that, except for the large white center square, each section has four small 2.5″ squares.

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Sew a 2.5″ square to a square next to it.  Align the diagonal seams, if applicable.  Be sure to choose squares next to one another within the same section, not in adjacent sections.  Iron seams open.

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You now have two rectangles.  Look at the photograph you took of the arrangement.  Pin each rectangle to it’s corresponding rectangle and sew.  Iron seams open.

You now have 9 squares.  Trim your squares to 4.5″ square.  Align the ruler on the center seam and measure out 2.25″.  Trim.  Rotate the square.  Measure and trim each side, measuring from the center seam.  If you’ve been sewing a 1/4″ seam, you should only be trimming slivers of fabric, if any.

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Pin and sew your squares together in rows then sew the rows together to complete your block.  Be sure to iron each seam before sewing the rows together.

The block is divided into thirds.  To trim your bock, align your ruler along the first 1/3 and trim to 4.25″.  Repeat on each side.  Each side should be 4.25″ from that seam, making the block 12.5″ square.

Comment or email if you have questions.  I’d be happy to answer any.  If you decide to make the block, comment and link to your blog or let me know how it went.  I’m always looking for new inspiration!

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February 10, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed Under: Bee, Blocks, Quilting, Tutorials

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[3 x 6] Bee Block Star – Tutorial

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