Block 43

This block is a little deja-vu.  Apparently Salinda Rupp was a fan of Lone Star blocks.

Once again, I traced everything out onto freezer paper, numbered and labeled (Dark, Medium, Light) each piece.  I numbered two copies.  One that I cut out and used as the template and one that I left intact so I could figure out where the tiny pieces went when I lost track of things.

Here is everything for the star set out and ready to go.

First I assembled the 8 star points.  You'll need to pay attention to your pressing.  I made sure the seams were going different ways to minimize the bulk.

Here is the flip side.  Attach the star points together.  Remember to stop sewing on the outer side of your seams at the 1/4 inch seam allowance (and backstitch).  

Here are the star points attached and the corners ready to go.  Each one of these is a Y-seam.  Attach each of them using the instructions in this link.

And here is the finished block!

Block 68

We have a couple more people who have decided to join us.  Please join me in welcoming Rae Anne and Julianne.

This week's block is not too bad.  Which is good because we've got another doozy coming up.

Here is everything cut and laid out ready to go.  The pile of squares are for making 1/2 square triangles for each side.  

Here I've started piecing the centre strip and all the 1/2 square triangles are all ready to go.

I've now sewn each of the squares together to make up 5 strips.

Now the 5 strips are together and we have our next block.

Block 19

This block has quite a few 1/2 square triangles along the edge.  I really didn't want to leave the square with all sorts of biased edges exposed.  So, I made the corner blocks using the regular formula for 1/2 square triangles but, for the edges, I cut 1/4 square triangles.  To make them large enough, I measured the short side of the triangle and added 1 3/4" inches to the measurement to get my measurement for the square.  Then I cut the square into 4 triangles as shown below.

Here is the block laid out and ready to go.  I've done the 1/2 square triangles for the centre pinwheel.

Once I completed the centre pinwheel, I approached this block as a little mini quilt set on point.  First I created strips.  The trick here is to pay attention to your pressing.  I made sure I pressed away from the pinwheel (to minimize bulk) and then made sure for each row I alternated the direction of my seams.

I then sewed the strips together.  Then I added the corner triangles.  I left them to last just because I like to.  There is no real reason they couldn't have been done as part of the strips.

And here is our next finished block.

Block 26

We have a few new people who have drunk the koolaid!  Welcome Merumo and Gwendie.  I hope you have a great time on your journey.

There was a question on how to use the line diagrams to figure out what to do.  It's a little daunting, isn't it.  I remember when I finally picked up the book, all excited to start and then found pages and pages of line diagrams and no further directions.

Within the book, the line diagrams are drawn to scale.  It just shows the finished measurement for each block and corresponding element.

As a general rule:

- for Squares and Rectangles - add 1/2" to each of finished height and width measurements.  (1/4" seam allowance for each side)

- for 1/2 square triangles - Cut a square 7/8" (1 inch if you want a little wiggle room and are willing to trim your squares) larger than one of the short triangle sides (not the hypotenuse).  Then cut the square in half diagonally.  You'll end up with two triangles.

 (If this doesn't make sense, please let me know and I'll try to show things with pictures.)

Those two simple rules of thumb were everything required to figure out how to cut everything for this block. 

This block shows the outer small (white & red in the picture below) squares as partially cut off.  I didn't bother trying to figure out that measurement, I just cut the full square.  It'll work itself out when I trim the finished block.

The first thing I did was sew together the centre 4-patch and added all the posts to the borders.

Now I've added the first border to the centre.

Then I added the second border.

And finally the third border.

Finally I added the outer 1/2 square triangles to wind up with the finished block.

Block 12

Here is our next block all laid out and ready to go.  The bundle of squares at the top right are cut ready to turn into 1/2 square triangles for the corners.

 

Here is the block after the first round of piecing.  I've done the 1/2 square triangles and have begun piecing the centre 16-patch and attaching the strips for the outer border.

When ever I do long strips they end up curving.  So I decided to avoid that and do the centre square as four 4-patches.  Here we are with the 4-patches assembled (and reduced to a larger 4-patch) and more work for the outer border.

Here is the centre assembled.  The border strips are together as well.  (And fortunately not too wonky :)  Can you see that the block is now a 9-patch?

And here is our next block done!

We're still in the middle of a bit of a hot spell, so until that's over I'll be sticking with the simpler blocks.  We'll just call it our summer holidays... :)

Block 10

My apologies.  I completely flaked out and forgot to post a block yesterday.

This is another simple block for us this week.  (In my neck of the woods, it's too hot to sew!)  Which is great!  We have short summers so I enjoy them while I can.

Here is everything all set out and ready to go.  The pile of fabric in the upper left corner will make the flying geese.

Here is the block with the flying geese made and the corner posts on for the outer border.  Can you see that the inner block (Ohio Star) is a 9-patch?

Here is the block with the inner 9-patch assembled.  Now we just need to add the final outer border...

And our next block is done!  Can you believe that we have 42 blocks finished?  We're fast approaching 1/2 way done.

Block 4

Bet you can't guess what our block is this week! :)

Step 1 - Square-in-a-square

Step 2 - Square-in-a-square

Step 3 - 1/2 square triangles

Step 4 - Flying Geese

Once you've made the above elements, you'll get the blocks in the picture below.

One more square-in-a-square for the centre.

Then you've got a 9-patch to assemble.  Once you've done that, you'll have the finished block!