I love, love, love making small
quilt blocks. One of my newest designs… not ready to be revealed… is tons of
3'' stars. While I love the look of small blocks, sometimes they're a challenge
to make. I devised an easy method for making them oversized and trimming later.
Working on a doll quilt for a swap seemed like a good time to share my method.
I have a confession, though, I'm all about the tools. Having the right tools on
hand makes my life much easier, particularly when I use those tools over and
over. Mind you, I've also bought tools that I haven't used, but these are three
that I use a lot.
1. Companion Angle
ruler.
2. Quilt in a Day
mini Flying Geese tool (comes in a set of three rulers) – or any flying geese
tool that will make 3/4'' x 1-1/2'' finished
size of flying geese.
3. Marsha McCloskey Precision Trimmer 3.
To make one star block, you'll need five 2'' squares for the
star center and points (my red). You'll also need a strip of 1-1/2'' wide background
fabric that is at least 16'' long. Cut four – 1-1/2'' squares for the corners,
and use the Companion ruler to cut four triangles.
Step 1. Cut four
star point squares in half once on the diagonal. Leave one whole for the star
center.
Step 2. Stitch one star point
to a background triangle, lining up the bottom.
Press away from the background triangle. (I've also been pressing these seams
open and am very happy with the results.)
Step 3. Stitch one star point
to a background triangle, lining up the bottom.
Press away from the background triangle. Make 4.
Step 4. Use the Quilt in a Day ruler to trim the sides and top of the flying geese. Then turn the unit upside down and trim again using the instructions from the ruler to line up the 1/4'' seam allowance.
Step 5. Lay out all the parts
of the star. Don't worry if some of the units
are a bit oversized… just line everything up along these two lines… letting the
outside edges be uneven. You'll trim later. Sew into rows. Press seams open.
Sew the rows together. Press seams open.
A note here on pressing. I never use steam in my iron when constructing blocks. I only use it when pressing pieces of fabric before cutting. I know there are many people who use steam successfully, but I'm not one of them. I can distort a block like nobody's business!
Step 6. This is where the 3''
Precision Trimmer tool really pays off. Line up the dashed seam allowance on
your star points. Make sure the diagonal and horizontal dashed lines go through
the center and corners of your block. Trim off all excess fabric.
