The time has come to start our next swap! The nine patch swap was so successful, members have been anxiously awaiting swap #2. The friendship star is just a bit more challenging than the nine patch block, incorporating half square triangle units.
Swap
Instructions
Each participant is asked to make (12) twelve 9"
finished (9.5" unfinished) Friendship Star blocks. You may participate for
one, two or three months. Swapping will take place at the January, February and March meetings. At each meeting, participants will gather to swap
blocks with others, keeping one of your own, and acquiring eleven blocks from
other quilters. At the end of three months, you will have 36 different blocks
to use in a fun scrap quilt.
If you would like to participate but cannot attend the
meeting, please give your blocks to a friend or mail them to Tina Craig. This swap is open to members of Ninigret Quilters only.
Block Instructions
For each block, we will be working with a neutral light
background and medium to dark fabrics for the stars. The light backgrounds may be
solids or prints and anything from white to tan or light gray and may include
hints of other pastel colors. In modern quilting jargon, these are called
"low volume." Each block may be constructed from two fabrics or may
be scrappy, as long as the star contrasts well with the background.
For each block, you will need:
(4) 3.5" squares of background
(1) 3.5" square of medium/dark
(4) 3.5" half square triangle units (3" finished)
Use your favorite method for constructing half square triangle units. Here are a few links to get you started.
Cut 4" squares and trim units to 3.5"
Cut triangles with an Easy Angle ruler from 3.5" strips
Use 3" Thangles with 3.5" strips
Make 8 units at a time from 8 or 8.5" squares (requires trimming)
We would like our stars to "spin" in the same
direction, so please note the correct layout below.
Correct layout for our swap |
Incorrect layout for our swap |
Stitch with an accurate 1/4" seam allowance for properly sized
blocks. Blocks should measure 9.5" for swapping. Star points should fall 1/4" from the edge of the block so they won't get chopped off when blocks are pieced to sashing or other blocks.
Please sign your blocks along one of the diagonal seams with a permanent fabric pen.
Look for another blog post coming soon with layout ideas.