Stash Bee: Hive 5 - July Tutorial - 'Stella Del Mare' Block for Ruth

Friday, 1 July 2022

Hive 5 – July Tutorial – Stella Del Mare Block for Ruth

Hi Fellow Hive 5 Bees!

It’s been an interesting few months making blocks for half of you. Pretty blocks and so very different in colours and designs. I can’t believe, it is already June and my turn. I was so well prepared in December when I decided on my block design and actually made two sample blocks. And I apologise that it is a bit similar to Amy’s block in March. I was considering changing my design, but then decided against it.

Here in Australia we are in the middle of winter and I wanted to brighten up this dull and rainy time with a block that reminds me of summer, sun and beach. Hence the name ‘Stella Del Mare’ and the colour choices.

I am not yet sure, if I will sew the blocks together square or if I will rotate them by 45degrees.

Fabric Selection

I prefer fabrics in blue/aqua/turquoise colours. Think of all the colours of the ocean – from a deep blue to the lightest aqua and turquoise. Due to the nature of the block I prefer smaller modern prints (like AGF or Ruby Star Society). I don’t mind having other colours as part of the prints as long as the main colour of the fabric fits in the above description.

Please no batik, novelty/licensed prints, solids, neon.

Background fabric can be solid white or tone-on-tone prints. Please avoid cream and beige coloured fabrics.

Below are photos of my sample blocks and a selection of fabrics from.

· Skill level: skilled beginner

· Read all instructions first

· Seam allowance is ¼”

· RST – Right Sides Together

· ALWAYS measure twice, cut once.

Fabric Requirements

				Block
				15.5" x 15.5"

			Colour 1	3" x 12" strip


			Colour 2	7" x 20.5" strip


			Colour 3	6.5" square


			Colour 4	2.75" x 11" strip


			Colour 5	5.5" square


			Background	12" x 14" rectangle

Cutting Instructions

	Block	Labels

Colour 1	(4) 3" squares	A


Colour 2	(1) 6.5" square	B
	(4) 3.5" squares	C


Colour 3	(1) 6.5" square	D


Colour 4	(4) 2.75" squares	E


Colour 5	(1) 5.5" square	F


Background	(4) 3" x 5.5" rectangles	G
	(4) 3" squares	H
	(4) 3.5" squares	I

Fabric Cuts

The Block measures 15.5” x 15.5”unfinished.

Snowball Block

1. Take (1) 5.5” F square and (4) 2.75” E squares. Mark a diagonal line across all four E squares (or you could just press the line). Fig. 1

2. Place (1) 2.75” E square on top of the F square, RST, making sure the marked line on the E piece is angled from the top left to the bottom right. Sew along the marked line, trim ¼” away from the sewn line and press the seams open (Fig. 2a to Fig. 2d). Repeat this step for all four corners. You will end up with a Snowball Block (Fig. 3).

Fig. 1

Fig. 2a Fig. 2b Fig. 2c Fig. 2d

Fig. 3

Flying Geese(4-at-a-time)

1. Take (1) 6.5” D square and (4) 3.5” C squares. Mark a diagonal line across all four C squares (or you could just press the line) (Fig. 4a to Fig. 4b).

Fig. 4a Fig. 4b

2. Place two C squares on top of the D square, RST. Sew ¼” on both sides of the marked line (Fig. 5a), trim on the marked line (Fig. 5b) and press the seams open (Fig. 5c).

Fig. 5a Fig. 5b Fig. 5c

3. Place one C square on top of one of the units created in step 2. Sew ¼” on both sides of the marked line (Fig. 6a), trim on the marked line (Fig. 6b) and press seams open. Repeat for the other unit. You will end up with four flying geese units (Fig. 6c). Trim to 3” x 5.5”.

Fig. 6a Fig. 6b

Fig. 6c

4. Repeat steps 1. to 3. above with (1) 6.5” B square and (4) 3.5” I squares. You will end up with four flying geese units (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7

Corner Blocks

1. Take (4) 3” A squares, (4) 3” H squares and (4) 3” x 5.5” G rectangles (Fig. 8a).

2. Sew one 3” H square and one 3” A square together, press the seams open (Fig. 8b). Make (4) sets.

3. Sew one 3” x 5.5” G rectangle to the bottom of each of the units created in the previous step. Ensure your A squares are on the left side. Press seams open (Fig. 8c).

Fig. 8a Fig. 8b

Fig. 8c

Block Assembly

Once all units are completed start assembling your blocks. First, sew together (4) sets of flying geese as shown in Fig. 9 below. Press seams to one side.