I have shown this older scrap quilt before, I do love star blocks and wanted to play with some new Sawtooth stars. This time, a bit bigger at 8 inches and using some reproduction fabrics.
After making one block, I decided to have a go at the flying geese method that makes four, just the number I need for each block. I needed to know the formula for the measurements and found one on the Internet with a chart. That didn't go too well and they were binned because the formula was wrong wrong wrong. I want to figure it out because they're supposed to be faster.
I found another lot of instructions
here that give the correct formula. Well, I just got through it but on two, I had a bit of trimming to do. What did I learn? well, apparently my sewing 1/4" from a line can be a little challenging for me. I might practice that because I think it's a good method. If you have any tips, feel free to share.
They don't look too bad so I did get away with it. Hopefully, I can get back to the machine soon, the Baltimore applique block is nearly done after a week of sewing on it.
After making one block, I decided to have a go at the flying geese method that makes four, just the number I need for each block. I needed to know the formula for the measurements and found one on the Internet with a chart. That didn't go too well and they were binned because the formula was wrong wrong wrong. I want to figure it out because they're supposed to be faster.
Just love the layout Janet. All your stars look fantastic. When a friend and I made stars we used the around the block book cutting the squares a little bigger, but not cutting them up into units. Same formula that you have used for putting them together though. My Stars are still blocks. Hmm Need to do something about that. I do have 30 stars and another 30 from a swap All 8 inches.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Lynne
ooo...oooo...ooo.. I just love the quilt must have missed this post..the scrapier the better... I had the instructions on "how too" for the flying geese but it is lost in the quilt room. so glad you posted it again thanks..now to wait to see what the next quilt will look like... can't wait to see the whole BAQ
ReplyDeletegreat star blocks I love stars!
ReplyDeletehave to practice that too, usually make a few before I get the right line and then its mass production time!
making a few more?
I can't click on the picture of the blocks to see the fabrics up close and personal :)
Kathie
Another gorgeous quilt, Janet. I just love the colors you used.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the link to the instructions. I have it printed and will file it for 'future' reference.
Stars are my favorites too, I love your quilt. I too have never been good at sewing a 1/4 inch from the line. I'm sure you will get the hang of it though...
ReplyDeleteCrispy
The scrap quilt is wonderful. I love how you used the dark to surround the light. You alway's have such a great knack for color.
ReplyDeleteThe star blocks look great.
Janet I love your stars.
ReplyDeleteBlackbird designs has a tutorial for some and I am just dying to try it. I have never made any stars.
HA! I was looking the same thing up last night.. Looks like your worked just fine! That's a lovely quilt...
ReplyDeleteLove the black on this quilt....really sets off all of the scraps doesn't it...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the Flying Geese measurements .... that's how I've done Flying Geese for a number of years, I love that there's no waste.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous and the black ties all the scrappiness together. Lovely.
Love your quilt!
ReplyDeleteThought I would share that there is a tool (ruler-like) that you can buy (I believe Fons and Porter makes one) where you draw your sewing lines, as well as your cutting line to make HST's this way. It's of course one-half an inch wide and it has a "slit" in the center to mark your cutting line through. You mark your sewing lines on either side of the ruler. I love mine -- no more guessing where exactly to sew.
Hope this helps.
Lovely...apparently I missed a posting of this quilt in the past...it seems new to me. As for drawing a line down middle and stitching 1/4" away on each side...I hate that. I want to sew on my line and will take the additional time to draw 1/4" away from center cutting line on each side then I stitch on line if not, a scant from. It works for me way better.
ReplyDeleteI thought I would share another blog site, it is newleafstitches.com and she if the designer/creator of the "clearly perfect angles" tool. She and others are having a a blog hop and she is giving away her tool so be sure to enter that as well. If you read her blog on "flocks of flying geese" she does show you how to use her tool and gives measurements. Again I am a lover/a fan of your blog and work.
ReplyDeleteMarcy/Canada
About that quarter inch line: a couple things. 1) There's a tool out now that allows you to center down the line and draw 1/4 seam line to either side of that. Very convenient. Then you can sew on the line -- much easier (for me anyway) 2) The conventional wisdom says to add 7/8" in cutting a half-square triangle but that number is not exact: it's rounded. If I'm remembering correctly (problematic), the number is rounded up, so an exact 7/8" and an exact 1/4" seam will will give you a block just a hair larger than you need. Small enough that it's not terribly noticeable but I wonder if we run into that error sometimes when we use methods like this.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love the scrap quilt. I like how you used the solid blocks to create the frame. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteOh that quilt is so pretty - love the black! I think I would take the time to draw my sewing line. The first quilt I ever made, without any instruction btw, I marked my stitching line with INK. And it was hand-stitched. When I turned it over, the ink showed and I had to put ribbon over my seams. It's still one of my prettiest quilts, go figure!
ReplyDeleteLove the blocks -- I'm no help on formulas because I always use templates, but your blocks look absolutely perfect. I love the shirting backgrounds -- they create such a nice contrast.
ReplyDeleteI have only recently found your blog.
ReplyDeleteMay I say I am blown away by your sense of design, your versatility and your productivity.
Seeing what turns up every few days is a delight!
Love the quilt!
ReplyDeleteI like the Sawtooth Star quilt. I have always enjoyed making Sawtooth Star blocks in any size.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your applique block. You do such gorgeous stitching!
I admire you for looking on-line for free instructions. That's what I do but you do take the chance that they're not complete or wrong. Love the contrast of the blocks against the black.
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous quilt, Janet. I just love the colors you used.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on east flying geese tri's
Julia ♥
I have the same problem. I have two different machines (a Bernina and a Featherweight) and it's different on both. For some reason, I seem to be more accurate on the Featherweight. I finally just started making them a smidge bigger than I need and trimming. That way I at least have the right size in the end. A woman who does lots of flying geese (and beautifully) told me to use Eleanor Burns' templates instead but I haven't opened the pack yet.
ReplyDeleteWow what a gorgeous star quilt, I love stars too and have been thinking about making 5" stars. I love this method you showed. What I do is draw the line and sew a 1/4" away but I do something a little different in that I make sure my 1/4" guide foot is on top of the line and not next to it, this way I always get the scant 1/4" every time.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that block -- thanks for the link to a new-to-me piecing method!
ReplyDeleteI usually either draw all three lines, or I have the new leaf sticky thing on my table top now to feed through the fabric following her lines and it seems to work.
ReplyDelete