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!