Variable Star Block

The block for January 2006 is the "Variable Star" block

Each finished block measures 15 inches square.  (15 ½ X 15 ½ inches unfinished).

Instructions:  Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

 

1.        cut the red squares
  
2.             mark and cut the squares into triangles

3.     cut cream rectangles and squares

4.          cut floral sqaures and triangles


5.           piece red/cream HST squares
 

6.        step 1: piece side units


7.     step 2: piece side units


8.      piece floral/red triangle units

 


9.            assemble Ohio Star center

 

10.      final block assembly          

Select a tone-on-tone or looks-like-solid-from-a-distance dark red print, a small-print floral with red in it, and a cream fabric for the background. 



Cutting instructions:

    1.   From the red fabric, cut twelve 3 1/2-inch squares.

    2.   Also from the red fabric, cut two 3 7/8-inch squares and two 4 1/4-inch squares. 
    Cut the smaller triangles in half diagonally. 
    Cut an "X" in the larger squares to form 8 small triangles.

    3.   From the cream fabric, cut four 3 1/2 x 9 1/2-inch rectangles and two 3 7/8-inch squares.
    Cut the squares in half diagonally to make four HST triangles.

    4.   From the floral fabric, cut one 3 1/2-inch square and two 4 1/4-inch squares.



Piecing instructions:
5.   With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew each of the four red HST triangles to one of the white HST triangles.  Refer to graphic 5.  There will be four pairs in all.  Press to the dark side.

6.   For each of the side sections, do the following: 
Use a pencil to draw a diagonal line across eight of the small red squares.  Lay one red square on the left side of one of the cream rectangles (right sides together).  Sew on the pencil line, and trim the corner to 1/4 inch from the sewing line.  (see graphic 6)  Press to the red side.

7.  Repeat with the right side of the rectangle.  Press to the red side and you will end up with a red/cream rectangle like in graphic 7.

8.  Sew the short side of each of the floral triangles to the opposite short side of a red triangle. 
Referring to graphic 8, piece together the triangles to form a square.  Pin at the intersections to ensure the points match.
 

    

Assembly instructions:

      9.  Referring to the layout in graphic 9, piece the Ohio Square center unit together.  Sew the rows together, then combine the rows to finish the block.  Pin at the intersections again.


10.   Finally, referring to the layout in graphic 10, piece the final block together.  Sew the rows together first, then combine the rows to finish the block


Your completed unfinished block will measure 15 ½ inches.
15 inches after sewn into a quilt!

 

 

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