star block tutorial + triangle piecing trick

Yummy stack of fat quarters in Denyse Schmidt Shelburne Falls fabric line provided the inspiration to create a quilt made up of a series of large stars.

Love these stars because they are super easy to piece out of simple half square triangles yet the finished star looks complex.

I'll show you how to sew this block using the triangle pieceing trick I learned last week at a friend's quilting group.  Up until now I have always pieced triangles like this.

To make the above 24 inch square block you will need EIGHT 10 x 10 fabric squares.

Three 10x10 inch squares in background fabric (white above)

Two 10x10 inch squares in 'lighter fabric' color (stripes above)

Two 10x10 inch squares in 'darker fabric' color (squares + circles above)

One 10x10 inch square of complimentary fabric for four corners (flower print above)

Note:  I do have some "layer cake" 10 inch block squares in these photos but i couldn't make these stars with just one layer cake because mine only had one square of each print and these blocks require two each.  I also used the fat quarter packs. In the future I think I will stick with fat quarters or half yard pieces because it really doesn't take much time to cut 10 inch squares and you get the option to pre-wash your fabric.

1.  Next pair up your squares like so:

One background + one lighter square

One background + one darker square

One background + complimentary fabric for corners

One Lighter square + one darker square

2.  You now have 4 sets of 2 squares each.

Note:  these next 5 photos are of a different square and feature different fabrics.  This is because I used white thread in the original tutorial and needless to say the pictures didn't turn out so well.  So I pieced another block this morning using blue thread so you can see better.  Please don't mind the change in fabrics - everything else remains the same.

3.  Take your 4 sets of blocks and place them RIGHT SIDES FACING EACH OTHER. 

4.  Here's the trick:  SEW AROUND THE PERIMETER OF ALL 4 SIDES WITH A 1/4 INCH SEAM ALLOWANCE.  DO NOT LEAVE ANY OPENINGS.  WE WILL NOT BE TURNING THESE.  WE WILL BE CUTTING THEM. (see photo ABOVE)

Once all 4 block sets are sewn...

5.  CUT each block corner to corner on the diagonal.

6.  Then turn block 90 degrees and cut on the diagonal again. 

You have made 4 half triangle blocks!

7.  Open them up and see how neat this piecing trick is!


Align. Sew. Cut. Repeat. Easy - peasy!

After you sew around the perimeter of each of the 4 block sets above and then cut them each open into 1/4's on the diagonal you will have the 16 six-and-a-half-inch triangle blocks that you will need to make the large star block.

8.  PRESS each block with seam allowance to the darker side.

9.  Snip off extra fabric at the corners.

Note:  Because we cut these blocks on the diagonal the unsewn corners are unstable because the warp and weft of the cotton threads are at an angle in these blocks.  The ladies who shared this trick with me told me all would be fine once all seams are pieced.  My old triangle piecing method produces a more stable block if this bothers you.  Personally I think this method will work just fine but DO NOT IRON THESE SQUARES SO THE CORNERS WON'T STRETCH - JUST OPEN THEM UP AND PRESS THE SEAMS FLAT with a hot iron.

10.  Lay out your 16 half triangle blocks like so.

11.  The easiest way to piece these so that all the points line up is to chain piece them into sets 8 of 2 across using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Please see above photo.

12.  Next connect your sets of 2 into 4 rows of 4 squares each.

13.  Press all the seams in the rows toward the dark fabric before sewing them together.

14.  When sewing the rows together make sure that you match up the points.  The easiest way to make sure your seams line up is to butt the seams together like this.  I prefer not to pin but to match up the points and hold them butted up as I get to them.  This involves stopping every so often as you sew your rows together and adjusting your fabric and butting up the coming point.  I find that my seams align better when I stop and adjust several times midway through the row than if I pin all at once and then sew all the way through the row.  Of course, use the method that best works for you. 

15.  Then begin all over again and make lots more blocks because this is easy and fun!  Laying them out all over your couch is optional but highly recommended.

 Let me know if you have any questions.  I'll answer all questions in the comments so ask away!

Comments

[A View From A Brown Dog]

It is coming together so fast and looks great. YOU are so talented!

[Wendi]

I can't remember if I've introduced myself, so I will now:). My name is Wendi. I'm mostly known for being a mom of eight. I found your blog sometime in the fall, and it warms my heart to see how much you love and appreciate your family. I feel so blessed to be a mother and a wife, and I love reading about people who feel the same.
Thank you for sharing this tip! I've always pieced my triangle blocks the same way you did, and I have to admit that I don't relish drawing on all of those diagonal lines. Can't wait to try this new method!

[Beth]

I like all this quilting. You make it look easy. Right now I've got too much knitting to do to break out the sewing machine. It looks like you are having fun.

[erin]

i love that fabric. and the piecing tip! can't wait to see it all come together.

[Larissa]

Thanks so much everyone! Give this star block a try. Just one or two blocks would look great on a solid colored background.

[Jeanie]

Very fun! Thanks for the tutorial:)

[Deborah]

Thanks for a great tutorial. I am having trouble just joining two of the squares together - the points are not lining up. Do you have any tips for this? Thanks

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