New Life Creations
Quilt Block of the Month
for
March 2000
 

Twinstar or 9-patch star variation

   This block has a special meaning to me not only because I just love this design and have made it into any number of quilts, table runners, placemats and even on quillos.  I have used this block for swaps and exchanges also and it is a block that is easy enough to make and has many color possibilities.  This is a block for the beginner as well as the more experienced quilter.  (and one of the nicer things is I should be able to get the measurements right this time around!!!). The name of the block "Twinstar" means a great deal to me because that is the name of my other halfs Bulletin Board and developing Web site!  So what better block to share with you for the Block of the Month for March!
 

 Fabric Requirements and Cutting Instructions
 

          fabric  1                      fabric 2                        background fabric 3
 
 
1 - 4 1/2" square 2 - 5 1/2" square 1 - 6" square
1 - 6" square 4 - 4 1/2"x 2 /12" rectangles
4 - 2 /12" squares

 
 

             Fabric #1 ...............................Fabric #2 ..........................Fabric #3 ...............................fabric #4 (background)
1 - 4 1/2" square 2 - 5 1/2" squares  4- 2 1/2" squares 1 - 6" square
1 - 6" square 4 - 4 1/2" retangles
4 - 2 1/2" squares

Step # 1  Making the litte point of the Star block

1.  Taking the 6" background fabric fabric draw pencil lines across  the diagonal on the "wrong" side of the fabric as illustrated in diagram # 1.


diagram # 1
2.  Place the fabric # 1 - 6" square front sides together with the background piece you just pencil marked.

3.  With the needle in the center position of your presser foot, sew down the left side of one diagonal line, stopping
      when you get to the center point.

4.  Pivot and sew on the pencil line about 4-5 stitches past the center mark.

5. Continue sewing downward now on the right side of the pencil line

6. Repeat this process for the other diagonal line.  (see diagram # 2) .


diagram # 2
7.  Cut apart on diagonal lines. At this point you pieces should be larger than necessary this will be made up in the
     steps ahead.

8. Press open triangles.


diagram # 3
 

Step # 2.  Making the star points.

1. Cut the 5 1/2" squares of fabric 2 in half along one diagonal.

2. Place the two stacks as shown:


   diagram # 4

3.  Fold the (red) pice on the right over  the split triangle piece on the life (blue and white).

4.  Sew 1/4" seam to sew these pieces together.  Be  careful not to stretch the bias edges.

5.  Stack square and press open with seam toward darker fabric.

6.  following the diagram below, line up your squares on cutting mat and using the split triangle as a guide square up the squares  to 4 1/2".

  You will have 4 - 4 1/2" units.
    diagram # 5
 

Step #3.  Corner square assembly.

1.  sew together the 2 1/2" squares of color #3 and color #4 as shown .

Step # 4.  Block Assembly:

1.  Use the following diagram for block assembly.  Sew together vertical rows then the horizontal rows to complete the block.


When completed your block should measure 12 1/2".  I am hopeful that my instructions are becoming easier to understand.If you have any questions about this block or other patterns or information on New Life Creations please e-mail me at:    flair@nwlife.com or juliasbb@yahoo.com .




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