Boxy Stars

Quiltville Custom Quilting
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Boxy Stars!
This quick star block is made from scrap 2 1/2" strips!
(Click here for printer-friendly .pdf file! )

This is my latest "color controlled" version! The quilt below was donated to charity, and I needed a new one for a class sample. It was a challenge for me to try to use up some outdated fabric as well as the new stuff I was wanting to slice into. I went to the 2.5" strip bins first..pulled everything brown and pink. Then I pulled 2.5" neutral squares from the squares bin. I MADE myself use those pink cutesy heart prints from 1987! And you know what? They don't look half bad when mixed with some of the new wonderful browns and double pinks that are out there. So the next time you make a scrap quilt, dare yourself to mix in some oldies but moldies with your new stuff. Let those old fabrics find a home. Better in a quilt, than still nagging you from the scrap bins! It still needs binding of course, but I needed to post the picture for the two workshops I have coming up!

I made 12 quick star blocks for a bright and fun snuggle-sized charity quilt.

This one is designated for the Palmetto Breast Cancer Center. I think it is a good size for that cause as it finishes at 54"X68".

Bright as it is, it should bring smile and hope to someone's face :c)

These stars are fun and easy to make with no set in seams. Each 12" block is made from four 6" block quarters.

For each block quarter you will need:

(3) 2.5" squares of background fabric.
(all 4 block quarters for each star can be a different background, but I find it best to keep the background the same within each quarter.)

Accent pieces:
(1) 2.5" square and (1) 2.5" X 4.5" rectangle.

Star points:
(1) 2.5" X 4.5" rectangle and (1) 2.5" X 6.5" rectangle.

Assembly:

Beginning with the 2.5" accent square, stitch the block pieces around the light center square in log cabin fashion. Press all seams away from the center square as you go. I like to chain piece, so usually try to do 4 block quarters at the same time to keep the stitching going.

The second pic above shows what you will have when you have sewn all pieces around the center square.

Time to add the points!

With right sides together, place the two remaining background squares in each corner on top of the star point logs. Pin if desired.

You can choose to draw a diagonal line on your square before you start sewing, or you can aim and shoot as I did above (Yeah, it's crooked! I should have drawn a line! :cP ) Stitch from corner to corner across the light corner square. If you are a tosser-outter, this is where you would trim the excess and dump the waste triangles into the trash, but if you are like me....1/2 the work is done for making extra bonus 1/2 square triangle squares, so why not carry it one step farther? I move my needle position over one notch to the right, and then stitch once more with the edge of my presser foot up against the previous seam. Then I simply trim between the seam lines....and after pressing each block quarter and the two bonus triangles, I end up with this:

I square up the bonus 1/2 square triangle squares to 2". I save these for other scrap projects. Currently I have this Ocean Waves ALMOST to completion and most of the 1/2 square triangle squares are bonuses from other projects like this one!

I also have dreams of doing a quilt with all the bonus scrap triangle squares with this block that I call Scrap Crystals. It is a variation of the Snow Crystals block, with all the set in seams removed and using my favorite hodge podge of scraps. It will not be for the faint of heart though, there are 96 pieces in this 12" block!

But I digress! Back to the Boxy Stars block!

Arrange 4 block quarters to complete one block!

When some people first view this block , they see the 3D boxes instead of the stars right off, but once they see the stars, they see ALL the stars at once. It is a very fun optical pattern!

I set this quilt with 2.5" X 12.5" sashings, and used scrappy 2.5" squares as the cornerstones. I finished it off with a 5" wide border. If you want to make the quilt bigger, simply make more blocks, cut more sashings and sew boxy stars to your hearts content!

Boxy Stars Gallery

If you make this quilt, I'd love to display your picture here to show more variations!

Questions or Comments? I would love to hear from you!!
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