Block of the Month -- February, 2006
IRISH STAR
Block Size -- 12" x 12" finished (12½" x 12½" with seam allowance)
The guild encourages all members to participate in this monthly raffle. It is a fun way to “get your feet wet” quilting and everyone enjoys the chance to win enough blocks for a quilt top. Please take the time to measure and sew accurately. It is very hard to sew together blocks that are not the same measurement. Most guild members would be more than happy to help you get started if you are unsure about how to begin. Let's take our time -- even experienced quilters can have an off day at the sewing machine.
First Block (Star Block):
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Fabric: |
Cut Directions: |
| A |
Dark Blue print |
(1) -- 4½" x 4½"
(8) -- 2½" x 2½" |
| B |
Purple print |
(12) -- 2½" x 2½" |
| C |
White tone-on-tone print |
(4) -- 4½" x 4½"
(8) -- 2½" x 2½" |
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Second Block (Irish Patch):
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Fabric: |
Cut Directions: |
| A |
Purple print |
(8) -- 2½" x 2½"
(4) -- 2½" x 4½"
(1) -- 4½" x 4½" |
| B |
White tone-on-tone print |
(8) -- 2½" x 2½"
(4) -- 2½" x 4½" |
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First Block (Star Block):
Step 1. Mark the diagonal on the wrong side of the eight dark blue 2½" squares and four of the purple 2½" squares.
Step 2. With right sides together, pin one dark blue 2½" square to the upper left hand corner of the white 4½" square, draw a diagonal line from opposite corners (lower left to upper right), stitch on the line and then cut ¼" from the stitching line on the side towards the upper left corner. Looking at the sample, do the same for the upper right corner of the same white 4½" square.
Step 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 three more times for a total of four units.
Step 4. With right sides together, pin one purple square to the upper left hand corner of the dark blue 4½" square, draw a diagonal line from opposite corners (lower left to upper right), stitch on the line and then cut ¼" from the stitching line on the side towards the upper left corner. Looking at the sample, do the same for the upper right corner of the same dark blue 4½" square, then the lower left corner of the same dark blue 4½" square, then the lower right corner of the same dark blue 4½" square.
Step 5. Stitch one purple 2½" square to a white 2½" square. Do the same for the other seven squares. Looking at the sample block, stitch them together to make a four-patch unit. There should be four purple/white units.
Step 6. Trim units made in Steps 3, 4, and 5 as needed to bring them back to original size of 4½" x 4½".
Step 7. Looking at the top row, stitch a purple/white unit made in step 5 to each side of a white/dark blue unit made in step 3. Do the same for the bottom row.
Step 8. Looking at the middle row, stitch a white/dark blue unit made in step 3 to each side of the purple/dark blue unit made in step 4.
Step 9. Stitch the rows together.
Second Block (Irish Patch):
Step 1. Stitch one purple 2½" square to a white 2½" square. Do the same for the other seven squares. Looking at the sample block, stitch them together to make a four-patch unit. There should be four purple/white units.
Step 2. Stitch one purple 2½" x 4½" rectangle to a white 2½" x 4½" rectangle. Do the same for the other three rectangles. There should be four purple/white units.
Step 3. Trim units made in Steps 1 and 2 as needed to bring them back to original size of 4½" x 4½".
Step 4. Looking at the top row, stitch a purple/white four patch made in step 1 to each side of a purple/white rectangle unit made in step 2. Do the same for the bottom row.
Step 5. Looking at the middle row, stitch a purple/white rectange unit made in step 1 to each side of the purple 4½" square.
Step 6. Stitch the rows together.
Keep in mind:
Use 100 % cotton fabrics for the block.
Wash the fabrics before cutting the quilt pattern. Do not use fabrics that bleed or run.
Stitch all seams ¼".
Press seams toward the dark fabric unless the pattern dictates otherwise.
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