Hive 8 January 2015 Block of Awesome.

Hi! My name is Audrey. I like hot pink, and dessert, and quilting. I introduced myself a bit back here, but if that just isn't enough, feel free to check out my blog and my about me section.

You know my fave color, but I want to know yours! So, for this month's question, I'd like you to tell me what color does it for you. I'd also love to know your thoughts on the 2015 Pantone color of the year, Marsala. (I think it's a lovely shade for a lipstick, but I don't think I'll be making any quilts using it, know what I mean?)

I fell in love with the Glorious Autumn Star block from Faith at Fresh Lemons, and I would like you to make me one with less Autumn and more Glorious. Prepare yourself for the awesome. (Are you ready? Good.)

This was my initial fabric pull. Lots and lots of navy goodness, some dark blues, and a few prints that almost look black, that's how dark blue they are. I didn't wind up using the purple in my block, but if you have the perfect purple to add a little pop to yours, feel free. You'll also need some white (not pictured), and I'd prefer you use a white solid, a white-on-white, or a very quiet low volume print.

I mostly pressed my seams open, but when it came to the inner star, I pressed to the side to nestle the seams together. Use your best judgment here--I'm not super picky. The block is 12.5" unfinished. 

Faith uses a gradient in her background fabrics--we won't be using one--and because of this gradient, her cutting instructions won't work for this block, so I've included my own.


Cutting Instructions:

Pattern Piece	Color	Size	Number to Cut
Inner Star Background	Various Navys	4.25″ x 4.25″	4
		2.5″ x 2.5″	4
Outer Star Background	Various Navys	4.5″ x 4.5″	4
		3.5″ x 3.5″	4
Center	White	2.5″ x 2.5″	1
Inner Star Points	White	4.25″ x 4.25″	4
Outer Star Points	White	4.5″ x 4.5″	4

Assemble your inner star. This involves creating 4 QST blocks utilizing your (4) 4.25" background squares and your (4) 4.25" white squares. If you reference Faith's tutorial, this is steps 2-10.

After assembling the inner star, it's the outer star's turn. Transform your 4.5" squares into HSTs, trim them up to 3.5", lay them out, and sew them up. (Steps 11-17 in Faith's tutorial.) 

And you've got yourself a final block of awesome! Thanks, Hive 8! Let me know if you have any questions.