12 Days of Christmas Sampler Quilt Along

Welcome to block 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas Sampler Quilt Along. For my block I've done a scrappy star.  This is a simple block that will add a nice pop of color to your sampler quilt.

If you're just joining, see the introductory post and schedule here; and if you're visiting this blog for the first time as part of the QAL, welcome!  Now, for the part you're waiting for, the finished block:

The block measures 12 1/2" square, and will finish to 12".  All seam allowances are 1/4".  You will need:

• 8 - 2" squares {star fabric}
• 1 - 3 1/2" square {star fabric}
• 8 - 2" x 5" rectangles
• 4 - 5" squares 

Draw a line diagonally across all the 2" squares.  I like to use a water soluable pen, then I can spray the marks away with distilled water before ironing.

Place the white squares on one end of each of the 2" x 5" rectangles.  Half of the diagonal lines should point left to right, the other half right to left {as shown in the image below}.  Stitch along the lines.

Measure 1/4" from the line toward the short end of the rectangle...

...and trim the corners away.

Press the triangle toward the bottom of the block.  This will create all the points of the star.

Sew the rectangles together in pairs with the point of the printed fabric in the center.
 

Press the seams open to reduce bulk.

Repeat until all the star points are sewn.  Arrange the points and 5" squares around the 3 1/2" square as desired and sew together into three rows.

I pressed my seams for the top and bottom rows toward the 5" squares, and for the center row towards the 3 1/2" square.  This will allow your seams to nest nicely.  When sewing the points to the 3 1/2" square, I like to sew with the point fabric on top {still right sides together} up so I can stitch right through the center where all the colors meet.

Join the three rows together in the same manner, and you'll have the finished star.

For another variation, use a string piecing method to replace the printed fabrics{this was my first string piecing attempt...it took me hours, but was worth it!}.  To make the chevron pieces with the star points, cut 4 - 4" x 5" rectangles out of paper, draw a 45° degree angle from the top left corner of two of the rectangles, and the top right corner of the other two {Edit to add:  find a tutorial on the chevrons and using selvages here!}.  Then use this angle for the pieces.  When finished, cut the rectangles into 8 - 2" x 5" pieces and arrange the chevrons.  Continue as for the rest of the block.

And there you have it, a simple, scrappy star.  It's not too late to follow the rest of the blocks for the 12 Days of Christmas Sampler Quilt Along either.  And don't forget to check out all the blocks in the Flickr group too. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I realize there are a lot of star blocks out there, if you happen to have seen this exact one before, please know that I did my best to create my own variation of this star and did not intentionally copy anyone.  Thanks!

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