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Monday, May 19, 2008

star quilt along, week 4

Welcome to week 4 of the quilt along.
If you are inclined to join in, but haven't yet, let me know. It's not too late. :)


cut one square 7 1/4" from the background fabric


cut in half on the diagonal twice, forming 4 quarter square triangles
cut 4 squares 3 1/2" from the background fabric

cut 4 squares 3 7/8" from a medium print
cut 4 squares 3 7/8" from a dark print

cut only 2 of each of these in half on the diagonal once
to make:
4 half square triangles from the medium print and
4 half square triangles from the dark print

mark a diagonal line on the back of the 2 remaining medium print squares (to prepare to make triangles)
take the 2 remaining dark and 2 remaining medium 3 7/8" squares and layer them together, right sides together.

sew a quarter inch seam on either side of the diagonal line, cut apart on the pencil line, press open

to make 4 squares

layout as shown






sew together and square up the block to measure 12.5".


I'll try to answer any questions in the comments.

25 comments:

  1. such a darling block. I'm too scared to work with triangles, but your tips just might bring me over to the dark side : )

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  2. my grandmother made me a quilt when i was a little girl with this pattern. it is still one of my favs.

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  3. I have to admit that I am an "old style" quilter. I read your directions, look at the finished block, then whip out my old templates. Some things never change! Thanks for doing this quilt along. I finished the filler blocks over the weekend!! Am using Civil War fabrics.

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  4. Very pretty block :) I hope to have some free time in the next month so I can play too.

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  5. Anonymous11:25 AM

    Count me in. I am making the quilt with a red, white and blue theme. Thank you for posting such easy to follow directions. I look forward to each new block each week!

    Laura

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  6. I'm all caught up, so I'll be getting this one made soon.

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  7. I'm starting mine today. I thought it might make the 12 weeks go faster if I held off onthem. Twelve weeks seems like such a long doesn't it? Love this block this week.

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  8. Anonymous2:43 PM

    I'm usually not a joiner, but I love your quilt and your easy pictorial instructions. I'm excited and ready to try. Just have to figure out my colors.

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  9. We're leaving in a couple weeks for 2 months of traveling so it's killing me that I can't start this. I did start your first quilt-a-long, however, when I first found your blog a few weeks ago. (Thank you for leaving the instructions up.) I am so pleased with my results! Your blog is one of the best around!

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  10. I finished this week's block today, and I am excited about how it came out. Thank you for posting such great directions and pictures. It makes it so much easier to follow-a-long!

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  11. Anonymous7:27 PM

    i would love to join, think
    i just got the background fabric. hope i can catch up. what should i do to join? my email is maggienstamps@comcast.net

    thanks and i love your blog and for taking the time to do the quilts and showing us.

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  12. Anonymous8:19 PM

    Count me in...I am new to quilting but your instructions and pictures are wonderful. I had trouble with the first block but after several trys I have completed all three and they measure 12.5" square. Thanks so much.

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  13. Anonymous5:03 AM

    Yes If not too late I am going to put a toe in the water. May take me a while to catch up/back up but tis time I did some blocks.
    Besides I feel like I am missing out..lol

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  14. I LOVE knowing the names of the blocks, so please continue! This one is so pretty but turned out kind of wonky on me....argh!
    I have a couple questions:
    1. What stitch length do you normally use for piecing?
    2. Do you cut off the rabbit ears? Does it matter?

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  15. stephanie,

    1. I use a 2.5 setting on my stitch length (there is a dial that goes from 0-6 on my machine). I like it set there because it is close enough stitches to hold it together without causing difficulties if I have to rip something out.

    2. Usually I do cut off the rabbit ears. I don't think it matters a ton, but it will be neater and less bulky when quilting, and that is a good thing.

    glad to hear that you like the names of the blocks.
    amandajean

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  16. From those of us who wonder about these things, thanks :) This star is gorgeous.

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  17. Anonymous10:59 AM

    Love the pinwheel in the center. so adorable. Thank you :o)

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  18. I want to join. I think I want to do both quilt a-longs, so thanks for leaving up the instructions of the former one! I'm wanting to do it in Denyse Schmidt fabs, hoping to get some this week. Let me know what I need to "know." Thanks so much! Fun Fun Fun

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  19. Anonymous7:33 PM

    This is such a nice pattern, but if you had done this block first, I would have quit already! That was kind of hard for me. I couldn't get the pieces the right size....oh, I don't know what I did wrong. But, it is together. I think it looks pretty good. The other blocks have gone together in not time for me, but this one I had to keep checking back and re-reading the instructions. I'll post pics next week. Hubby took the camera on his mini-vacation with his dad.
    LisaC

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  20. Anonymous12:42 PM

    I finished my fourth block today and have started on the setting blocks. Your directions are wonderful, the only time I was mixed up was my own fault (I was reading my numbers wrong).

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  21. I finished my 4th block. Love it. I haven't started the setting blocks yet. I had to put the money in the gas tank instead of spending it on fabric.

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  22. Anonymous11:55 AM

    My block is done.

    I'm really enjoying making these blocks.

    THANK YOU sooo much for sharing each week.

    Love Leanne NZ

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  23. Anonymous4:24 PM

    I am so excited about this blog and about getting started on this Quilt-a-long. I am a novice quilter and this looks very interesting to me! Thanks for the tutorials... can't wait to post my first block. Hope I can catch up! LOL

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  24. I'm a late starter but I've really enjoyed catching up - it's a beautiful quilt and I'm slowly getting better at my triangles! Thank you for running this quilt-along

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  25. Hi I would like to start the quilt even though I will be behind everyone else. The blocks are beautiful.

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