Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Scrappy Mini Stars: A tutorial

Hello to all of my new friends from the SMS giveaway day!  It's so nice to meet you all.  How is your giveaway week going so far?  Meeting lots of new folks?  Found a few super new-to-you blogs?  I hope you are having a blast!  If you are looking for the FSQ giveaway post, simply click here.

Several weeks ago, I posted photos of quilts that caught my eye at the Knitting and Stitching Show.  In particular a quilt by Margaret Cunnanne got Helen and I chatting thinking it would be a great block to request in a bee.

Quilt by Margaret Cunnane of Galway.
I asked Margaret for a pattern, but she did not have luck finding one to share with us.  I thought, then, that I would go ahead and sort it out for myself.


With the idea that this could be made with charm squares, I decided to base everything on a 2.5 inch (unfinished) square.  To make 1 block at 12.5x12.5 inches unfinished, you will need:

4 (white) squares 2.5x2.5 inches for star centers
32 (white) squares 1.5x1.5 inches for star points
8 (scrappy) rectangles 2.5x4.5 inches as the bridge between star points
16 (scrappy) squares 2.5x2.5 inches

I wanted to use my rainbow charms to make the scrappy four patches you see between each star.  You could just as easily do all of this right from your scrap basket.  It's up to you.  All seams are 0.25 inches.

Cut the 5 inch charm into two halves, each 2.5x5 inches long.  


Sew two 2.5x5 inch blocks together (sewing right sides together) and press the seam to one side.  


Cut this in half, creating a 2.5x4.5 inch rectangle comprised of two scrappy squares.  



If you want coordinated four patches, just flip and re-sew the two halves together as you see in Margaret's quilt above.  I went for scrappy look, so I mixed and matched 2.5x4.5 inch rectangles to make a four patch.

Nest the two seams together (fabrics right sides together) to create a sharp point, pin and sew.  Press the seam to one side.



Create 4 four patches for each block.

To create the star points, draw a diagonal line on the back of each 1.5x1.5 inch square.  



Align this square with one corner of the 2.5x4.5 inch rectangle and sew ON THE LINE.  


Cut the extraneous fabric 0.25 inches from the seam and press. (Darn these winter night time photos - that little corner square is white in real life!)



Repeat this for all 4 corners in all eight 2.5x4.5 scrappy rectangles.  They will be like double sided flying geese blocks.  Flying geese are absolutely not my strong suit, so I would normally square them before going further.  

Layout the pieces as arranged below.  Sew the pieces together in rows, pressing the seams of each row in alternating directions.


Sew the rows together into a block.  Pin all of the nesting seams so that you are sure to have a sharp corner, then press press press.


That's it!  A super easy peasy scrappy star block.  Putting two together gives a better idea of the repeating pattern.


If you decide to use this tutorial to make a block of your own, please let me know if there are difficult-to-understand sections or if the math just does not add up for you.  I'll happily adjust the tute with your contributions.

Happy sewing!

Edited: It's just been pointed out to me there's a similar tutorial here.  Click on over and have a peek for another variation with more coordinated fabrics.  Pretty pretty!




21 comments:

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

this looks very clear, it was good to see your untrimmed blocks, I always stress at that point

Catherine said...

Thanks for this - it all looks very clear! I'm adding it to my to-do list:-)

Susan said...

I love this pattern! I did a tutorial for one of these a few years back after requests. It's a clever little pattern, isn't it?

Judith, Belfast said...

Scraps and stars are always a winning combination. Great tute C! Jxo

Elita@Busy Needle Quilting said...

Thanks for the tutorial - it looks great! Something to go on the list for 2014!

Tomomi McElwee said...

Well done! It's a very cute block. Love the colour you used.

Anonymous said...

Wow that looks very cool Cindy! Great job!

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

That's gorgeous Cindy! Great tutorial!

giddy99 said...

I love your blocks and tutorial!

Lynz said...

This is beautiful, Cindy! I've been on the lookout for a new scrappy quilt pattern. I wonder...

Leanne said...

It's lovely and fun, thank you for the tutorial.

Sarah said...

Lovely tute Cindy, nicely done :-)

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Cindy! Thank you for a great tutorial! Looks easy and fun way to make stars! x Teje

Indianna said...

Oh thanks so much...I can't believe you have written a tutorial too.....the HipBees can look forward to making this for me in July. Love the scrappy version and I'm off to look up the other tutorial :o)

Katy Cameron said...

Smart idea! I totally wasn't seeing how it would come together at first

Canadian Abroad said...

Oh it's going to be such a pretty quilt!

pennydog said...

Love this! I'm all about simple squares with a twist right now.

Pickletoes Quilts said...

Love this! I have a big box of scrappy squares ready to be torn into!

Nicky said...

Phew ! Back to stars Cindy!? Great tutorial and I think I have a ruler - unused as yet - to do these!

mammafairy said...

Very clear and simple to follow. Thank you!
Made for the hip bee this month.

Maryse said...

I am saving this one...lovely...I want to make one.:)

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