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Star Upon Stars QA - Week 3

I am SEW glad you are joining us for our

Welcome to Week 3. If you are just joining us, click here for more information on this fun event.


Today, we will be making Whole, Half, and Quarter Cornerstone Stars along with Sashing for the quilt.

For this project, I chose our Primrose Fat Quarter, Star Upon Stars Template Set,

Scrappy Lights Fat Eighth Bundle, and Scrappy Darks Fat Eighth Bundle (or you can use scraps from your own stash), Aurifil Thread – 2370 or 2325, Rotary, Creative Grids® Ruler, Fabric Pencil and Best Press.

Edyta's Tip: I strongly advise starching your fabrics before you begin. I love how well the Best Press spray works!

Cutting directions for this project can be found in our Star Upon Stars Pattern

or in our book, Patches of Stars.


Edyta's Tip: I cut my strips using my 4½" x 12½" Creative Grids Ruler then use my acrylic

Star Upon Stars Template Set. It is so quick and easy to cut pieces for my stars!

When starting this project, I think it is best to do one block at a time.


Whole, Half, and Quarter Cornerstone Star

Start by making just 1 Star to learn the technique.


Refer back to Week 1 Blog for additional guidance building stars.

(Please note: My fabric colors may vary in step-by-step photos.

I am using my scraps to share the technique with you.)


Select your fabrics. For one block, I selected:

Dark scraps and Light scraps. This is a perfect time to use your leftover peices!

From 1â…›" x 21" strip, trim the left end of the strip at a 45-degree angle. Place 1â…›" line on the ruler along

the just-cut angled edge to subcut 12 diamonds from each strip.


Edyta's Tip: For my cornerstone stars, I like the diamonds to match for some of the blocks, but for some of the blocks, I like them scrappy. With that in mind, I recommend you create all the matching stars first,

then scrappy ones, and then use leftovers for Half Stars and Quarter Stars.


To make a cornerstone star, gather eight diamonds.

Place two right sides together, pin and sew.

Sew into sets of four.

Trim "bunny ears".

Press seam in one direction. Then sew two halves together.

Cut 4 QSTs and 4 background squares for one Cornerstone Star.

Use your templates to mark 1/4" points.

Arrange your QST on your Star, then sew.

Press seams towards stars. Then set in background squares.

Use the techniques you learned in Week 1 to assemble your stars.

Press and trim your Cornerstone Stars.

Cornerstone Star's unfinished block should be 3½" x 3½".

Keep going! I am so proud of you.


Make 15 Whole Cornerstone Stars.

11 Half Cornerstone Stars.

2 Quarter Cornerstone Stars.


Sashing

Start by making just 1 Sashing Strip to learn the technique.


Edyta's Note: When sewing your sashing, please use a scant 1/4" seam allowance. I recommended

making one sashing strip as a practice to ensure when trimmed it measures 3½" x 12½".

(Please note: My fabric colors may vary in step-by-step photos.

I am using my scraps to share the technique with you.)


Select your fabrics. For my Sashing Strips, I selected:

Pink, Brown/Blue and Light Fat Eighths


Edyta's Tip: Once you finish cutting your strips, place all your leftover fabrics back into your stash so you can incorporate these pieces into future sashing strips. This will help tie everything together.


To make one sashing strip, gather two 1¾" x 21" light strips, two 1½" x 21" dark strips,

and one 1½" x 21" accent strip. Join the strips in the order shown above to make a sashing strip set.

Cut 1½" sections


Edyta's Tip: Please remember use a scant 1/4" seam allowance,

when joining the sashing segments together.

Arrange your pieces.

Take one segment apart as shown above.

Position on each side and sew all units together.

Align the 1¾" ruler line with center of the accent squares. Trim top and bottom as shown.

Trim sashing strip to 3½" x 12½".

Repeat to make 42 sashing strips total.


Watch our YouTube video for more details on how to put your quilt together, and join us LIVE on Friday, April 21st at 11am PST if you have questions.


Look at you shine!

I am SEW proud of your hard work - keep going!

Can't wait to see your finished quilts!

Make sure to use the hashtags #staruponstarsquilt #laundrybasketquilts on social media!


Happy Quilting!

Edyta

Star Upon Stars QA - Week 2

I am SEW glad you are joining us for our

Welcome to Week 2. If you are just joining us, click here for more information on this fun event.


Today, we will be making Diamonds and sewing them to Whole Stars.

For this project, I chose our Primrose Fat Quarter, Star Upon Stars Template Set,

Scrappy Lights Fat Eighth Bundle, and Scrappy Darks Fat Eighth Bundle (or you can use scraps from your own stash), Aurifil Thread – 2370 or 2325, Rotary, Creative Grids® Ruler, Fabric Pencil and Best Press.

Edyta's Tip: I strongly advise starching your fabrics before you begin. I love how well Best Press spray works!

Cutting directions for this project can be found in our Star Upon Stars Pattern

or in our book, Patches of Stars.


Edyta's Tip: I cut my strips using my 4½" x 12½" Creative Grids Ruler then used my acrylic

Star Upon Stars Template Set. It was so easy and quick to cut pieces for my stars!

When starting this project, I think it is best to do one block at a time.


Diamond Points

Start by making just 1 Star to learn the technique.


Diamond points are constructed from five different strip sets: A, B, C, D, and E. The construction and cutting of the strip sets is the same for each of the five strip sets.

Color placement is the only difference.

(Please note: My fabric colors may vary in step-by-step photos.

I am using my scraps to share the technique with you.)


Select your fabrics. For one block, I selected:

9 Fat Eighths to make eight matching Diamond Points.


Edyta's Tip: Once you finish cutting your strips, place all your leftover fabrics back into your stash so you can incorporate these pieces into future blocks. This will help tie all your blocks together.



PREPPING DIAMOND POINT STRIPS

Follow the cutting directions in the pattern:

Print 1: one strip

Print 2: two strips

Print 3: three strips

Print 4: four strips

Print 5: five strips

Print 6: four strips

Print 7: three strips

Print 8: two strips

Print 9: one strip

Join five strips together, offsetting the strip ½" as shown.

(Please note: My fabric colors may vary in step-by-step photos.

I am using my scraps to share the technique with you.)

Sew into pairs and then sew together. Press seam allowances in one direction.

Align the 45-degree line on a ruler with the strip set's seam and trim a 45-degree angle on the left edge of the strip set. Place 1" line on ruler alone just-cut angled edge and subcut eight 1"-wide segments.

Repeat steps above to assemble one strip set of each of the remaining four combinations (B,C,D, and E).

Cut eight 1"-wide segments from each strip set.

To combine segments, place two right sides together, pin and sew.

Press seam open.

I like to use my Pressing Tool.

Combine 5 segments together as shown to make a Diamond Point.

Repeat to make a set of eight matching Diamond Points.

Mark dots ¼" from the points of the diamonds using template.

This is the perfect time to addition your diamonds to place them in the position you desire.

Look how differnt the blocks look, just by rotating the diamonds!


Position 2 diamonds right side together. Pin as shown above.

Begin sewing at the tip of the diamond. Sew to the 1/4" point, stop and backstitch. Sew the remaining set of diamonds in the same manner to create 4 sets of two diamonds.


We will be using basic Eight Point Stars directions to complete the Star.

Instead of Squares and Triangles, we will be using our Small Star blocks and Half Star blocks

that we have made last week as the background pieces.

If you need extra help, just watch our Week 1 video!


Edyta's Tip: Always begin with the Half Small Star blocks.

Use Pins!



I'm so proud of you! You just finished your first full block!

This unfinished block should be 12 ½" x 12 ½".


Continue sewing your star blocks and don't forget you will also be making

half blocks and quarter blocks for this beautiful quilt.


Watch our YouTube video for more details, and join us LIVE on Fridays at 11am PST if you have questions.


Look at you shine!

I am SEW proud of your hard work - keep going!

Can't wait to see you next Wednesday!


Happy Quilting!

Edyta

Star Upon Stars QA - Week 1

I am SEW glad you are joining us for our

Welcome to the first week for our Star Upon Stars Quilt Along.

I always enjoy learning something new and exciting and then sharing it with you!

Today we will be sewing Small Stars to let our quilt top sparkle.

Visit our YouTube Channel for in depth details.

For this project, I chose our Primrose Fat Quarter, Star Upon Stars Template Set,

Scrappy Lights Fat Eighth Bundle, and Scrappy Darks Fat Eighth Bundle (or you can use scraps from your own stash), Aurifil Thread – 2370 or 2325, Rotary, Creative Grids® Ruler, Fabric Pencil and Best Press.

Edyta's Tip: I reccomend starching your fabrics before you begin. I love how well Best Press spray works!

Cutting directions for this project can be found in our Star Upon Stars Pattern

or in our book, Patches of Stars.


Edyta's Tip: I cut my strips using my 4½" x 12½" Creative Grids Ruler then used my acrylic

Star Upon Stars Template Set. It was so easy and quick to cut pieces for my stars!

When starting this project, I think it is best to do one block at a time.


Small Star Block

For 1 block, you will need 4 Small Stars and 4 Half Small Stars

Start by making just 1 Star to learn the technique.


Note from Edyta: With this little block, I want to share one of my favorite techniques, how to make an Eight Point Star. We will refer to this technique in the future weeks.

Select your fabrics. For 1 block you will need:


1 Fat Eighth in light fabric for a background.

5 Strips 1¼" dark for your stars.


Follow our YouTube Channel for a step-by-step guide on how to make these cuties!


PREPPING BACKGROUND PIECES

Cut your background Sqaures and Quarter Square Triangles.

Cut and mark your background squares using a fabric pencil to mark 1/4" seam allowances.

Do the same for your small star triangles. Set background pieces aside for now.

Edyta's Tip: Use your fabric markers to keep these pieces organized.


PREPPING EIGHT POINT STAR PIECES

For the star points, cut strips, following directions in your pattern.

Use the small star template to cut 8 diamonds.

Or place a ruler on the fabric strips, aligning the ruler's 45-degree line with the

bottom edge of the strip, cut diamonds.

Mark each diamond with a 1/4" points using your Small Star Templates.

Begin sewing at the tip of the diamond. Sew to the 1/4" point,

stop and backstitch. Sew the remaining set of diamonds in the same manner to create

4 sets of two diamonds.

Press the seam allowances to the left on the four sets of diamonds.

Lay two sets of diamonds right sides together. Mark the top diamonds with a 1/4" point as shown.

Begin sewing at the tip of the diamond. Sew to the 1/4" point, stop and backstitch.

Before pressing the seam allowance, trim the "bunny ears". Press seams to the left on star halves.

Lay the two star halves right sides together.

Pin at the point where the threads cross in the center forming an "X".

Begin sewing at the "X" down to the 1/4" point, stop and backstitch.

Flip the star over and begin sewing from the "X" to the 1/4" point. Stop and backstitch.

Open the center seam and press seam allowances to the left.


Watch our YouTube Channel for more details.


SMALL STAR BACKGROUND

The star is now ready for the background pieces to be set in.

Fold the star in half, right sides together. Pull a star point back as shown.


Edyta's Tip: Always begin with the setting triangles. You may find it helpful to lightly crease the center of the triangles. This will help align the setting triangle with the center of the star points.

Lay a setting quarter square triangle on the star point, right sides together.


Edyta's Tip: You may wish to mark 1/4" points along the edge of the setting triangles. The point will act as a guide, along with the pin, to mark the pivot point.

Sew from the diamond tip to the pivot point. Stop and backstitch.

Reposition the star point so the unstitched edge is aligned with the setting triangle.

Begin sewing at the pivot point, backstitching to secure the first stitches.

Continue sewing to the tip of the triangle. Open the star block and

finger press the seam allowances toward the star to complete the "Y" seam.

Set in the remaining 3 triangles, then proceed with squares.

Lay a background square on the block corner, right sides together. Place a pin at the pivot point.

Sew from the outside edge of the square to the pivot point.

Stop, backstitch and remove the pin.

Reposition and begin sewing at the pivot point, to the edge of the square.


Finger press the seam allowances towards the star. Continue to set in the

remaining background squares. Press the seam allowances toward the star.


Square up the finished block, if needed.

Watch our YouTube video for more details, and join us LIVE on Fridays at 11am PST if you have questions.


Make 4 Small Stars and 4 Half Stars as shown above.


Look at you shine!

I am SEW proud of your hard work - keep going making those beautiful Small Stars!

Can't wait to see you next Wednesday to learn our next techique, how to make our Center Star!


Happy Quilting!

Edyta

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