Dream Star – Paper Pieced Star

I hope that you enjoy making this easy paper-pieced star.

 

Some materials that you will need

Thin paper that can go through your printer (regular paper is fine, but if you can put something like tracing paper through your printer all the better, or special paper that is designed for paper piecing)

Paper Scissors

Rotary Cutter

Rotary Cutting Mat

Acrylic Ruler

Stiff piece of paper or thin cardboard (like a postcard)

Print out 4 copies of this paper piecing pattern CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOAD . When you print out the pattern make sure you have your printer set to “Print actual size”. Do not have scale to fit checked.  Double check once you have printed the pattern that it is the correct size.  The patterns should measure 6.5″ square measured from the dashed lines around the perimeter of the pattern and 6″ square from the solid black lines that are just inside the dashed lines.

Trim away the excess paper – trim about 1/2″ outside of the dashed lines.In paper piecing you do end up with some fabric waste, but if you pre-cut the fabric you can minimize the waste. For each block cut the following:

 

Steel – 2 – 8” squares

Expresso – 2- 8” squares

Delft – 2 rectangles 4” x 1.75”

Aqua – 2 rectangles 4” x 1.75”

Purple – 2 rectangles 2” x 7”

Blue – 2 rectangles 2” x 7”

Berry – 2 rectangles 3” x 1.75”

Pink- 2 rectangles 3” x 1.75”

Cut the Steel and Expresso squares in half along the diagonal.

Each block is made up of two A sections and two B sections

“A” section of block

 

Take a triangle of Steel and one of Expresso and place them right sides together. Place the Expresso fabric against the paper (wrong side of fabric facing paper) and extend the long endge of the triangle about ¼ inch past the line. Pin in place

 

Shorten your stitch length to 2.0 on your machine. Shortening the stitch length will make it easier to remove the paper at the end. Sew directly on the dark line starting a little before the line begins and stopping a few stitches after the line ends.

 

Press the pieces open

 

Turn the paper pattern over so that the lined side is facing you and fold the paper along the line between # 2 and # 3.

 

Take your rotary cutting ruler and line up the ruler so that you have ¼” showing past the paper and trim your fabric.

 

Take the Delft rectangle (4” x 1.75”) and line it up with the edge of the fabric. Flip the fabric over to make certain that it will cover the area for piece # 3. Pin in place, sew and press open

 

Fold the paper back between # 4 and where it meets # 1 and # 2. If needed pull the fabric that might be stitched away from the paper.  Take your rotary cutting ruler and trim leaving ¼” fabric seam allowance

Take the 2” x 7” rectangle of Purple and place it along this edge lining it up so that when opened it will cover the area for # 4. Pin in place with fabric right sides together and then stitch along the line.  Iron seams open.

 

Fold back the paper between #5 and # 4 and trim the fabric as before to ¼”.   Sometimes you might need to pull the paper away from the stitched line.  Carefully do this so that you don’t rip out the stitches – the shorter stitch length should help keep them in place.

Take the 3” x 1.75” piece of Pink fabric lining it up so that when sewn and pressed open it will cover the # 5 area.

Pin in place and stitch on the line.  Press the seam open.

Trim finished “A “section along the dotted lines – this block should measure 6 ½”. Make a second “A “ section exactly the same way.

“B” Section of the block

 

Sew the B sections (2 sections) in exactly the same order as you did the “A” Section.  The fabric colors are printed on the paper template to aid in placement.

Sewing the block

Take the for sections of the star block and arrange them so that they are in the proper order

Flip the right hand pieces over so that they are on top of the left hand pieces. Pin in place putting pins at the corners

Sew the top A section to a B section – press the seams towards the Purple and Black.

Repeat the process with lower A and B sections, pressing the seams to the B section.Tear away the paper that is in this newly created seam.

 

Align the to block sections together and sew across them together

 

Now the fun begins – carefully tear away the paper from the back of the block .

 

Here is the finished block!

So what can you can you do with this block?

• Add some borders to this and turn it into a pillow, or small table topper, or wall hanging.
• Make three of them and sew them together and add a border for a table runner.
• Make four of them and some them together (with or without sashing) and some borders and make a small wall hanging
• Make all the different star blocks in this blog hop and create your own star sampler quilt.

I love the colors in this line of fabric – what is your favorite color to use in a quilt -and/or what is your least favorite color.  Leave a comment below and I will pick out a winner on Saturday – you will receive a 1/2 yard of each of the fabrics featured in this block.

Also – make sure you stop by Kimberly Einmo’s blog tomorrow – www.kinberlyeinmo.com/blog  for a fabric giveaway and for a big give away at the Timeless Treasures blog!