Hive 6: Split Star

One of the other members of my hive this year told us about the Fabric 406 blog. It has lots of free quilt block tutorials. This month, we will be making their 12.5 in. Split Star block.

Fabric Requirements: Style

• Patterns: Geometric print fabrics. Bonus points if you have something resembling abstract nature, i.e. topographic lines, cartography, marble, non-cartoony insects, etc.

• Do not include novelty, holiday, object, animal, or floral prints

• Colors:

• Dark Half: Muted shades of blue, green, or purple. Imagine a coastal grandma with some pastel goth flair.

• Light Half: solid white, white on white, or whites with a bit of colored print. Please use true white, no cream or tan.

• Note: a geometric print is more important to me than an exact color or tone match. Please use what you have. Talk to me if you have any doubts.

Fabric Requirements: Piecing

• From both Dark and Light fabrics, cut the following:

• (1) 7 in square

• (1) 4 in square

• (5) 3.5 in square

• (2) 3.5 x 6.5 in rectangle

Assembly

1. Half square triangles

1. Use both Light and Dark 7 in squares. Draw a diagonal line down the wrong side of one square. Place the two squares right sides together. Sew a ¼ seam on both sides of the line. Cut along the line. Trim each half to 6.5 in. Press seams open. You will only use one of these HSTs in this block, but please send me the other half.

2. Use both Light and Dark 4 in squares. Repeat step 1.a. Trim to 3.5 in. Press seams open. You will use both HSTs.

2. Flying Geese Units

1. Each pair of flying geese will be opposites. One pair will use Dark rectangles with Light squares. The other pair will use Light rectangles with Dark squares. These sections are tight. Use a scant seam or cut slightly bigger for more breathing room.

2. Draw a diagonal line down the wrong side of (4) 3.5 in squares. Place a 3.5 in square on one side of a 3.5 x 6.5 in rectangle in the opposite color where the diagonal line goes from top center of the rectangle to bottom corner, right sides together. Sew a seam on the diagonal line. Trim the outer edge ¼ in from the seam. Press seams open. 

3. Repeat step 2.b. on the other side of the rectangle, still ensuring that the diagonal line goes from the top center of the rectangle to the bottom corner.

4. Trim to 3.5 x 6.5 in. Be careful to keep ¼ in on top of the triangle point so we don't lose that point in the seam.

5. Repeat steps 2.b-d. until you have four sets of flying geese: two dark-light and two light-dark.

3. Lay out and assemble like a nine-patch. Nest seams for easier alignment.

4. This block should be 12.5 in sq. Please send the finished block and the spare 6.5 in HST.