It's time to get started and for our first block tutorial, we'll be showing you the friendship star.
This is a traditional quilt block, but with fun bold fabrics it's easy to make it graphic and modern. It's a great beginners block as it teaches you how to make half square triangles.
Let's get started!
Cut List:
For one 12.5" block - in this version the star points are two different colors.
Cut two 5.25" squares of star fabric
Cut two 5. 25" squares of background fabric
Cut four 4.5" squares of background fabric
Cut one 4.5" center square
When assembling always sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.
First, you need to make your half square triangles. This method is invaluable as there are so many different ways in quilting that half square triangles are used.
For one 12.5" block - in this version the star points are two different colors.
Cut two 5.25" squares of star fabric
Cut two 5. 25" squares of background fabric
Cut four 4.5" squares of background fabric
Cut one 4.5" center square
When assembling always sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.
First, you need to make your half square triangles. This method is invaluable as there are so many different ways in quilting that half square triangles are used.
1. Using a pencil, lightly draw a line along the diagonal of your 5.25" background squares.
2. Right sides together, layer your 5.25" star fabric square and your background square.
3. Sew a seam a 1/4" away from the pencil line, on both sides of it.
5. Press them open and trim them down to 4.5" square.
6. Repeat this with your other 5.25" squares to make two more half square triangles.
9. Next sew together those three rows and you have a completed block!
Now that you know the construction method, why not try variations? You could do the whole star in one fabric like this:
Or you could go really scrappy like this:
If you use the half square construction method shown in this tutorial for this style of scrappy block, you'll be make enough half square triangles for two blocks.
We can't wait to see all of the fun Friendship Stars you make!! Remember to put them in the flickr group.
Up next week - how to make these blocks, but wonky!
23 comments:
That is a great tutorial! I'll soon start on a block (or more)
~Muriël
Thank you for the tutorial. I plan to print out the instructions and get to work on one or more soon. Love the block pattern you chose. Can't wait to see what y'all come up with next.
This is how I make my half-square triangles too - it's such a wonderful technique! Can't wait to try out this block, I'll post to the Flickr group once I do!
This is my favourite (actually only star I like to make)!!
I AGREE! This is my all time favorite star. I have a gazillion things to do but this almost makes me just wanna STARt! No plan, just do 'em! I am SO tempted. 8{
This was my first attempt at triangles. It was a little frustrating that it didn't come out perfect. But I think I know why and I'll have to try again. I'll post my imperfections later if I can try again and get it right. I'm too much a perfectionist so wonky may be good ;)
Hi all,
questions from a newbie here, could someone help maybe??
1. Can you just quilt along without a bee?
2. Is there a set of instructions on how the bee works or what the end quilt will be? Like how many blocks in each quilt along?
3. Is there a new block every week? Or quarterly? (i saw quarterly on the original post, but now I"m confused)
help me please, I made my block today and looking forward to more.
Hi kesch! To answer your questions:
1. Can you just quilt along without a bee?
Absolutely! There are people joining bees left and right on the flickr group but by no means do you have to to be involved.
2. Is there a set of instructions on how the bee works or what the end quilt will be? Like how many blocks in each quilt along?
There's info on how a Bee works in the Quilting Bee Blocks flickr group. I recommend it! And this is a very open quilt along. No specific finished quilt. Make as many or as few of the blocks we show you as you'd like!
3. Is there a new block every week? Or quarterly? (i saw quarterly on the original post, but now I"m confused)
There will be a new block quarterly. Very relaxed and easy to keep up with! We'll just also be posting variations on that block the following week.
Thanks and let us know if you have any other questions!
Great tutorial! Is there a way to offer a printer friendly version of these tutorials the way they do on The Moda Bake Shop blog?
I am a newbie and would love to be able to save these for future sewing.
Sheila
shecarita(at)yahoo(dot)com
Such a good idea Sheila! I'll sort out adding a downloadable PDF to this post an we'll do that from here on out!
Thank you Alissa, very helpful. I so appreciate your response. I'm looking forward to following along. Today's block gave me such a great chance to try something I would normally be too intimidated to do. Mine looks great. Thanks so much.
Oh yes, great idea, I would also love to be able to have a printer friendly version. ;) Can't wait to dig through my stash to find some graphic & modern fabrics. I've done these stars in the traditional way before but love the idea of the star points being different colors. I feel so liberated to even think about doing that! Thanks so much for the inspiration! :)
Fab tutorial - thanks.
Can I just ask how you work out how big to make the squares that you're making the triangles from?
I've tried to find a "formula" so that I could apply it to any size triangle I want to make.
[Hope this isn't an inappropriate question to ask]
Hi Leah! I think that if you just make the blocks 3/4 of an inch bigger than you'd like your half square triangles to end up, you're all set. But you can play it safe and just cut them an inch bigger. Always easier to trim than end up with too small!
Great tutorial!!! Very clear and great pictures to it. Can't wait for the wonky version
Have a lovely weekend.
nice tutorial~ I'll be making mine very soon! Thanks.
Oh great tutorial and first block! I posted this as a resource in our 3 x 6 bee...thanks for your work!
I'm not normally a big fan of the star blocks, but these are so fun! (and the wonky ones in the later post are as well!)
I'm fairly new to the world of quilting but I'd love to join this party!
Love the block pattern you chose. Can't wait to see what y'all come up with next.
Work from home India
Which side do you trim to get to the 4.5" square once you've sewn the triangles? I trimmed the side shown in the illustration and left the background side longer because I figured it would be the easiest to trim later. I made two blocks successfully this way. Then I made another block and each inner corner was cut off. Very frustrating and it makes me wonder if I trimmed the correct side the first two times accidentally, and I don't remember how it was done. Has anyone else had this problem? Help!
Hi Alissa, Thanks for the tute. I am a hand sewer so I can't cut down my blocks without cutting off my knots and I, like stitchsister also cut down the sides wonky.
The cure for this is everywhere the pattern says cut 5 1/4" squares, just cut 4 7/8" squares. Whenever you're making HST, just take the desired finished size and add 7/8". Since the desired finished size in the block is 4", hence the 4 7/8". I did it last night and it worked perfectly.
Sorry for the delayed reply!
I trim all four sides.
For the first two cuts I use the lines on my cutting mat and center the block over 4.5", and trim an equal amount off of either side.
For the second two cuts, I also use the lines on my cutting mat to trim to 4.5" but this time I also look to make sure both corners line up (where the colors meet) and adjust the block over the cutting mat lines accordingly.
Hope that helps!
Thank you Alissa and Wendy for your speedy responses! I tried both suggestions and they worked great.
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