Make This: Half Star Flower Quilt Block Tutorial

Our tutorial for this week is the Half Star Flower Block.  This can be done using several different methods, but this one keeps the star points from being divided into square and half square triangles.  It only take two pieces of fabric with enough contrast to make the design show up.

Cut 3- 2 1/2″ squares from the background fabric,And cut 2 rectangles 4 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ from the contrast fabric.

Draw a line from corner to corner (diagonally) on the back side of 2 of the background squares.  Lay them, right sides facing, on the ends of the rectangles with the drawn lines at opposite angles–pictured below.

 

Sew along the marked line on both pieces.Trim the points off 1/4″ from the stitching line. 

Press open with the seam allowance facing the darkest fabric.  Then draw another line at a 45 degree angle from the bottom point, following the same direction as the seam line. 

Cut the corner off 1/4″ past the drawn line.

Place both pieces together, right sides facing,  and sew along the drawn line.

Press seam open, and it should look something like this.

And this on the right side.

On the third square of background fabric, draw an intersection point at one corner 1/4″ from the outside edge.  Align this to one side of the “v” in the block as pictured below. 

Begin sewing the square along the left side of the “v” until you reach the center point and drop the needle.

With the needle dropped, pivot the bock so that the square aligns to the other side of the “v”.

If this doesn’t work the first time, you can use a seam ripper or something pointy to finagle the fabric around the needle so it doesn’t get all bunchy.

Then sew down the other side of the “v”.

Press the square flat from the back of the block.  

Here is the front view.  Looking good.

Make one more block just like that.

Sew them together with a 1/4″ seam.

And you have the Half Star Flower Block.

Make another set and and it can become a full Star Flower Block. 

The Half Star Flower Blocks are great all lined up in a border, as shown below around the center of the Lincoln Quilt Pattern.

 

Here’s a close up of the border. 

The Lincoln Quilt stained glass version, with the sun shining through.

We know there are many other ways to make this block.  Especially using squares and half square triangles, but that creates extra seams and the prints running different directions.  Sometimes it’s nice to set blocks using the more traditional methods.  Setting the square block into the “v” may take a little practice, but it gives the points a nice crisp look.

-Diane