Friday, October 21, 2011

I've been making stars.

Stars anyone?

I started with these two. The measurements of each these unfinished blocks is 3.5".

More Stars

Then I made more. They are for the Modern Christmas Tablerunner Swap 2011. You might want to pop over there, there is a lot of lovely work happening.

How about stars in stars?

I put the little stars in bigger stars. The big and little stars are called the Ohio Star and I just adapted the tutorial that Sheila had given us for the Mystery QAL.

More Stars in Stars

These Ohio Stars are made with Quarter Square Triangles - QSTs.  I guess you could use triangle templates but I like to avoid sewing on a bias triangle cut when I can.

More Stars in stars

I learned some quilter's math. If you want your final QST unit to finish at a particular size then you need to start the QSTs with squares that are 1.25" larger or better yet, use squares 1.5" larger so that they can be trimmed down.

So I added 1.5" to the finished measurement of the final QST unit, in this case 3", and started with 4.5" squares of fabric. The QST unit is the part of the nine patch in the star above with the two green points and one background, one lighter colour triangle. When the QST unit was done, I trimmed it down to 3.5".

By the way, I added a link to the source of this quilter's math on my page where I keep tutorial and other links here.

The last star in star up close

You could easily make these stars any size, as the final set up is just a nine patch with four QST units, one centre and four background units. My final big stars finish at 9" (are 9.5" unfinished in the pictures).

4 Stars in Stars - but they will not be arranged like this for a table runner

I am enchanted with these stars, making the QST units a tiny bit large and trimming leads to very nice points without paper piecing and with little ripping.

I think I will set them in a row, add a skinny border and binding. My secret partner does not want a wide table runner so there is little room for anything more than these.

It is hard to think of Christmas before Halloween but the beauty and math of this simple but wonderful star has helped.

Best,

Leanne

15 comments:

Debbie said...

Your stars look great, Leanne. Very fun with all your fussy cutting.

Unknown said...

They are lovely. Very traditional but with a modern edge. Great great piecing!

Manda said...

They are great christmas stars!

Anonymous said...

The tablerunner for you swap partner is going to be lovely. I really like the star in star blocks and the prints you've chosen for them.

Sandra Kaye said...

These block s are sooo beautiful!! I love them. Have a super day!! Sandie

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

Awesome! I love tiny blocks. I look forward to seeing the runner complete.

Poppyprint said...

Lovely job on these!!!

Sheila said...

These are just delightful - the teeny ones are a triumph.

Nicky said...

Perfect piecing!

Mary Keasler said...

I love that picture of the blocks among the pine cones. Stars are one of my favorites and your piecing is sheer perfection. Wow and WOW

Canadian Abroad said...

I think these blocks are absolutely brilliant. Having the seam ripper in the photo at the top puts everything into perspective for how small those inner stars really are!

Anonymous said...

The star-in-star blocks are very cute!

Margaret
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

Marci Girl said...

Beautiful, I love the stars within stars! So pretty and unique!

Kleep said...

Wonderful work! I love Christmas: the quilts, the fabric, the season, the time of year, the snow, the everything! Beautiful!

CountryBelle said...

Love the little snowman star! What adorable little blocks!