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Countdown to Christmas: Shining Star

Countdown to Christmas: Shining Star

Written by: 
kludowese

Every quilt needs a shining star somewhere in it.  Hopefully, this sweet little block adds some sparkle to your project. :)

Hello, Kathy Ludowese here from Gathering Friends Quilt Shop!  We're in our 20th year at Gathering Friends Quilt Shop, set in a small Midwestern village Bird Island, MN.  We've been designing and playing with color since we opened in 1998.  Moda has long been our fabric of choice and we have lots of it!!

My block finishes at 6" (6-1/2" unfinished).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fat Quarter of White fabric
Fat Quarter of Red fabric
Fat Quarter of Green fabric

 

CUTTING:

From neutral:

  • (4) 2½" squares
  • (4) 1½" squares

From red:

  • (2) 3" squares
  • (2) 2" squares
  • (12) 1½" squares

From green:

  • (2) 3" squares
  • (2) 2" squares
  • (4) 1½" squares

This block has a lot of seams that meet and create bulk. Pressing instructions are given, but feel free to press all seams open if you wish to reduce bulk.

ASSEMBLY:

Layer a 2" red square and a 2" green square, right sides together.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and stitch a ¼" on each side of the line.

Cut on the line and press seams toward the red.  Proof to 1½".  Make 4 pieced squares.

Sew the pieced squares together as diagrammed, to form the pinwheel center.  Press seams in the top row to the left and the bottom row to the right.
Pay close attention to angle and the color placement.  Press center seam open.  Proof to 2½".  Make 1.

Position a 1½" red square on opposite corners of the 2½" white square.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and stitch on this line.
Trim seam allowance to ¼" and press the seam open.  Following the diagram for color placement, repeat this procedure on the opposite sides of the
white square with a 2" red square and a 2" green square.  Proof to 2½". Make 4 star point squares.

Sew a star point square on each side of the pinwheel center, as diagrammed. Press seams away from the center.  Make 1.

Layer a 3" green square and a 3" red square, right sides together. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and
sew ¼" on each side of the line and press the seam toward the green. Proof to 2½".  Make 4 pieced squares.

Position a 1½" white square on the red triangle.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and stitch on this line.
Trim seam allowance to ¼" and press the seams toward the white. Proof to 2½".

Sew a pieced square to each side of the remaining star point square.  Press seams toward the center.  Make 2.

Assemble block, as diagrammed.  Press the seams towards the center.  Proof to 6½".

TaDa!!!  The finished block...Enjoy :)

This block finishes at 6" (6-1/2" unfinished).

Pinwheels are my favorite block, they're so fun to play with.    Here's a pinwheel with pizzazz!  You could play with a variety of colors or keep it to the 3 for impact.  If you use this in a project, I'd love to see it!  Feel free to share it with me at [email protected].

Kathryn Ludowese

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