Month 5: Piecing the Star Blocks

[Joan D.]

I have too much on my plate this year so am not able to tackle Two Of Us still not finished Sedona Star but I am following and watching Margo's videos I am learning so much Please don't stop Margo the videos are great. Joan

[Margo C.]

So glad you are finding some useful info in the videos! This month is really a quick and easy one compared to previous months! It won't take nearly as much time to get these 9 star blocks done. It is so tempting to sew the units together, but I'm trying to be patient and wait until the instructions tell us how Sue and Pat want us to do it!

[Constance G.]

I, too, am holding off sewing months 1-5 together. I have been so impressed by the pattern deviations done by Margo, Rita and others, that I want to keep my options for substitution open for as long as possible.

[Constance G.]

Month 5 is done! I used paper piecing, and set the star into the background using Margo's instructions. Here's how I deviated a bit from the method in her video.

I made the background template from 2 sheets of freezer paper ironed together so there was one shiny and one dull side exposed. Instead of marking and hand cutting the circle, I used a circle cutter (left from the days when I thought I was going to do scrap booking ). It cut a much cleaner edge than I could ever do by hand. I did a couple of mockups on cardstock and with scrap fabric to get the size right. The freezer paper template was then ironed to the background fabric, the center cut out, leaving about 1/2 inch seam allowance, clipped to within a few threads of the template, then starched and ironed down. My template was 7 inches square, and I cut the background fabric at 7 1/2 inches, so there would be enough freezer paper to stick it well. I tried to be careful with the starch, but I did end up replacing the template after the 5th block since the edges were getting worn.

[Beth A.]

I have used Connie's method many times for circles, squares and other shapes and it works great and results in a super professional and perfect-looking product. I would highly recommend it. I think that the technique was even demonstrated on a TQS show and used by Alex when she made her circle quilt hanging in her quilt studio.

BethMI

[Rita C.]

Looks good Connie. I wish I had a circle cutter. Is your one adjustable? I guess it must be. I cut out my template for the centre circle today and I used 3 layers of freezer paper which made it good and sturdy. I haven't done the background circle yet. Did you make the opening slightly bigger than the printout? I did a mock up and realized that it was going to be difficult to retain all the star points if I didn't make a slightly wider opening. I also made the centre circle slightly smaller than the printout because once the fabric has been starched around it it makes it just that bit too big so that the centre points are lost - or at least that's what I found. I managed to sew three of the star points today before setting off on my travels and really enjoyed it. I look forward to getting back on Monday and tackling them again.

[Constance G.]

Looks good Connie. I wish I had a circle cutter. Is your one adjustable? I guess it must be. I cut out my template for the centre circle today and I used 3 layers of freezer paper which made it good and sturdy. I haven't done the background circle yet. Did you make the opening slightly bigger than the printout? I did a mock up and realized that it was going to be difficult to retain all the star points if I didn't make a slightly wider opening. I also made the centre circle slightly smaller than the printout because once the fabric has been starched around it it makes it just that bit too big so that the centre points are lost - or at least that's what I found. I managed to sew three of the star points today before setting off on my travels and really enjoyed it. I look forward to getting back on Monday and tackling them again.

Rita, my circle cutter is adjustable, and I think the opening I used is slightly larger than on the pattern for the reason you mentioned, not losing star points when assembled.

Have fun this weekend on your travels! (Singing for your supper again? )

[belinda n.]

Hello everyone!! Belinda here, starting on month 5. I'm going to paper piece the star blocks just like I have on the previous months. Templates made and I have calculated I need to cut my strips 2"........???? I haven't seen any comments this month referring to this so I thought I would introduce myself and ask! With minimal fabric I would like to r-e-a-l-l-y be sure before I cut!!

My plans for the appliqué part is to do *hand appliqué*, soooooo, I may get a little behind on that part, but so far I have been able to stay up pretty current!

I have REALLY enjoyed reading everyone's info and comments! Especially for this WONDERFUL person who goes by the name of MARGO!! What a gal...!!! I could not have made it this far or probable gotten half of it right if not for MARGO and everybody on the forum who are so generous with their helpful tips and the encouragement I have seen given to others!!

Thanks so much everybody!!!! Ok, so do I cute my strips 2" or not????

--Belinda

p.s. Perhaps Margo mentioned the strip width in her video and I just didn't catch it....maybe I should go watch it again!

[Rita C.]

Hi Belinda and welcome to the forum. I cut my strips at 2" and that worked out perfectly. I hope that helps. And, don't forget to post your photos in the BOM show and tell. If you don't know where it is just go to BOM on the bar at the top of the page. Scroll down and you will find 'Show and Tell'.

[Margo C.]

Hello everyone!! Belinda here, starting on month 5. I'm going to paper piece the star blocks just like I have on the previous months. Templates made and I have calculated I need to cut my strips 2"........???? I haven't seen any comments this month referring to this so I thought I would introduce myself and ask! With minimal fabric I would like to r-e-a-l-l-y be sure before I cut!!

My plans for the appliqué part is to do *hand appliqué*, soooooo, I may get a little behind on that part, but so far I have been able to stay up pretty current!

I have REALLY enjoyed reading everyone's info and comments! Especially for this WONDERFUL person who goes by the name of MARGO!! What a gal...!!! I could not have made it this far or probable gotten half of it right if not for MARGO and everybody on the forum who are so generous with their helpful tips and the encouragement I have seen given to others!!

Thanks so much everybody!!!! Ok, so do I cute my strips 2" or not????

--Belinda

p.s. Perhaps Margo mentioned the strip width in her video and I just didn't catch it....maybe I should go watch it again!

Hi Belinda! Thanks for the kudos, and welcome to the forum!
You are right, it is not mentioned in the video for month 5, but 2" strips will work just fine.
And please remember that what I show is not the only way to do these units!! Find what works for you!
And, for what it's worth, hand applique is my favorite technique, but because I'm making two versions of this project, I'm doing the applique by machine this time around! :wink:

[belinda n.]

Hi Belinda and welcome to the forum. I cut my strips at 2" and that worked out perfectly. I hope that helps. And, don't forget to post your photos in the BOM show and tell. If you don't know where it is just go to BOM on the bar at the top of the page. Scroll down and you will find 'Show and Tell'.

Thanks so much Rita!!! I'll work on this today!!

-BELINDA

[belinda n.]

Hello everyone!! Belinda here, starting on month 5. I'm going to paper piece the star blocks just like I have on the previous months. Templates made and I have calculated I need to cut my strips 2"........???? I haven't seen any comments this month referring to this so I thought I would introduce myself and ask! With minimal fabric I would like to r-e-a-l-l-y be sure before I cut!!

My plans for the appliqué part is to do *hand appliqué*, soooooo, I may get a little behind on that part, but so far I have been able to stay up pretty current!

I have REALLY enjoyed reading everyone's info and comments! Especially for this WONDERFUL person who goes by the name of MARGO!! What a gal...!!! I could not have made it this far or probable gotten half of it right if not for MARGO and everybody on the forum who are so generous with their helpful tips and the encouragement I have seen given to others!!

Thanks so much everybody!!!! Ok, so do I cute my strips 2" or not????

--Belinda

p.s. Perhaps Margo mentioned the strip width in her video and I just didn't catch it....maybe I should go watch it again!

Hi Belinda! Thanks for the kudos, and welcome to the forum!
You are right, it is not mentioned in the video for month 5, but 2" strips will work just fine.
And please remember that what I show is not the only way to do these units!! Find what works for you!
And, for what it's worth, hand applique is my favorite technique, but because I'm making two versions of this project, I'm doing the applique by machine this time around! :wink:

Thanks Margo!! I was tempted to try the striplet piecing this month, thought about it, naaaaaaaa! Paper piecing is just too darn easy!
I was also soooo glad I read and re-read the instructions, it was about the 3rd read it soaked in to cut out the borders before I cut out the paper piece strips! YIKES....I nearly messed up!! ha!

-BELINDA

[Barb A.]

Month 5 done, yay!

I am happy to report that I experienced zero fear or anxiety with the circles this month. I am so grateful to Margo for every tidbit of information, but especially for The Circle Conqueror.

This month I used my Cameo cutter to make a cardstock template 6" square with the large circle perfectly centered and then cut out. I used the template to place the circle on the green fabric and then trace it. I cut out within 1/2" of the green circle, starched the edge of the cutout, and used the template to iron the edges. It worked like a charm, although I wished I had remembered to make the circle slightly larger than the pattern so that the points had more room.

My points land right on the circle, and I am not unhappy with the result but next time I will remember. Live and learn!



Barb in AL (aka Liz)

[Constance G.]

Beautiful star blocks, Barb! Your points look pretty pointy to me!!!

[Rita C.]

Well done B/Liz, they look pretty perky to me too!