Submitted by Linda llsmail
Keeping in mind that this block will be due at the April meeting and if you win the drawing, you’ll have the makings of a quilt for May, the March Block of the Month is the Wonky Star.
For the nerds among us, May Fourth is known as Star Wars Day - May the Fourth/Force be with us. So wonky stars it is!
Because by definition wonky is fun and silly, knock yourselves out with color. Keep the background solid black but the stars and their points? Anything goes! To make the blocks reasonable to work with for the winner, please finish at 12 1/2”. But if you’d like to make a smaller star, or stars, in that parameter, have at it!
The easiest tutorial I found is here. It’s simple to follow, just be sure to use black instead of her suggested white for the background squares. Follow her tutorial, it’s well written and easy to use.
Supplies
You’ll need
- 8 black 4 1/2” squares for the background
- 4 colored squares 4 1/2” for the star points
- 1 colored square 4 1/2” for the center of your star
Make the points and the center the same. OR Make the points the same and coordinate with the center. OR mix up points to coordinate with the center. It’s all good.
Here’s how I made that orange star.
- Stack the point squares and cut them in half diagonally
- Next, sew one of the resulting triangles to right side of one background square, right sides together. Sew the triangle at an angle, just make sure the ends extend beyond the square.
- Repeat with three more squares to have four total.
- Trim the resulting seam to 1/4” inch.
- Press the seam - ready for it? - to the DARK SIDE!
- Sew the remaining four triangles to the left sides of the squares you just sewed, right sides together.
- Overlap the triangles at the bottom or don’t - it just creates more wonky.
- Trim those seams to 1/4”, flip the squares over and press.
- Now, trim the excess fabric to make the squares 4 1/2” again.
All that’s left to do is assemble the star. Lay out your star center and points, choosing the combination you like best. Stitch a star point to opposite sides of your center square. Then stitch black background squares to opposite sides of the remaining two star points. Finally, sew the three rows together, matching the seams, naturally using 1/4” seams throughout.
Steps illustrated below:
All that’s left to do is assemble the star. Lay out your star center and points, choosing the combination you like best. Stitch a star point to opposite sides of your center square. Then stitch black background squares to opposite sides of the remaining two star points. Finally, sew the three rows together, matching the seams, naturally using 1/4” seams throughout.
Again, the block finishes at 12 1/2”. But if you want to do the simple math and make a smaller star, or several small stars within the 12 1/2”, please do. It’s your galaxy so have fun!