The first year of the new century is drawing to a close.  All the stars have shown brightly in the night skies for the entire year.  The fears of computer glitches  never came about for most of us and the year 2000 blossomed into bright beginnings.   I chose this star, The Sailor's Star to be the beacon into the next year.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
 

fabric requirements:

1 -5" square of.............................. . .......44 - 2" squares of....
4 - 2" squares of......................................4 - 2 1/2" squares of  cut on diagonal
1 - 2" x 18" strip of ....................... ..........1- 2" x 18" strip of/
4 - 4" squares of..  .. cut on diagonal.......4 - 3 7/8" squares of 

   * note:  some of the diagrams presented in these instruction will not project the colors used in this
               block.  Where these differences are shown they will be identified.

Step # 1. Center of the block:

1.  Following the diagram below, sew together (2) triangles made from the " squares of 
     to two sides of one of the 2" squares of  .

*please note the colors are not the same as shown above*

3.  Using triangles made from the 3" squares of  , sew to each side of the section made above
     as shown below:

4.   Press and square up each unit to measure 5" x 2 1/2".  Make 4 units.

Step #2 of the Center of the block:

1.  Attach to two of these units, on each side one of the 2 1/2" squares of .  These two units will look like this:

2.  Using the  5" square of...as the center attach first the two units without the added squares  to opposite
     sides then sew the two units with the added squares to the remaining two sides.  The center unit should look like
     this when completed: .

3. Press and square up this unit to 7 1/2" square
 

Step #.3  Outer units of the block
    Make 4 patches:

1.   Sew together lengthwise the  strip and the  strip.

2.  Cut joined strips into  8 -  3 1/2" pieces.

3.  Sew together into 4 - patch pieces as shown: 

4.  Press and square up each unit to measure 3 1/2".
 

Step #5.  Corner sections:

1. Using the 4 - 4" squares of.. cut on diagonal, sew each of the newly created triangles to two adjoining sides
    of the 4 patches as shown below:
                                                                      make 4 of these units.

Step #6:  Sewing together center and corner units:

1.  To complete block sew the corner units to the center section as shown below.  Sew vertical sides first then
     attach the horizontal sides to complete the block.

block will measure 12 1/2" when completed.
 

At this time I would like to thank everyone for your patience with me on this years BOTM series for the year 2000.
  As many of you are aware my health has been a difficult management task for me for the majority of the year.  I
  continue to improve slowly and am looking forward to a much healthier year in 2001.  It continues to be
  a challenge to sit for long periods of time at my computer so I am looking at other ways to work on my web site
  while lying down.  It is my hope that I will be able to provide you with new blocks every month during the year
  2001.  Thank you for all your continued support and prayers.

  Julia Sidebottom