instructions for betty's star

My TURN!! October Block

Sorry for the delay - it's Rochelle so you knew this was going to happen.  Anyway I'm absolutely in love with this block.  And can't wait to see how they all turn out.   (Thanks Mom for helping!!)  

The color scheme is fall colors -  If you cannot see them with this picture they are brown, rust, tan, peach orange, green.  My mom...and me...but mostly my mom did 4 blocks so here's some samples of the colors.  Gorgeous right?? (sorry the pink and green behind don't really help do it justice.)

Hope this is a better view of some fabrics.

Use the templates on the instruction sheets to cut out the colors.

So if this Template doesn't work...let me know.  Maybe I'll do a mass email out to get the template to everyone.  Unless someone knows how to get a PDF file on the blog. 


It is easier to start with the dark color and the points.  Which is Fabric A(  the dark or light depending on which one you want the 4 corner points to be) Using the template A cutting four and  One piece of  4 ½ inch squared.  This is the center.

Cut four of Template A

On fabric C which is the background of the star Cut 4 of Template B and four 5 inch square pieces.

Iron Template A in half and the 5 inch square pieces in half.  Once you have ironed them.  Place Template A in the crease of the 5 inc square of Fabric C

Fold Fabric C  in half and sew a scant ¼ inch.  Then fold open and you have the point.

Be sure the fabric was caught in the seam.  Iron them down and you see your points.  See the instruction if you did not understand where I sewed the seam to attach the point.  It really is easy.

Now cut Fabric B

4 – 2 ½ inch squared and

4 of template C

4 of template D       These should be cut out specifically.  Individually so the right side of the fabric and angles will fit correctly on Template B

Now for the center.

Take the Fabric A 4 ½ in square  and iron with wrong sides together.  You will be looking at a rectangle with the right side of the fabric staring at you.

Now place the 2 ½ inch pieces on top of Fabric A.  Put raw sides together and sew on the edges.  This is similar to the square the Dalana had on her Quilt square, just a smaller version.

Once they are sewn open the centers and match the seams

Match center and raw edges

Pin and sew.  Once it is sewn Open it up and you have the center of the star

Press Open. Pressing just helps it all go together easier.

If you place your pieces that you have finished you will have this done.  Lay it out and take a look and it will help with the last stage.

Take Template B, Template C and D

You can see why the Template C and D is cut separately.  If you cut them together you will have pieces that do not fit properly and you square will be scatttywoompus.  So once you place the templates you will see how once you sew the seam you have a square.

Do the right side first and sew from the tip of B to where the straight line ends and the template ends. Iron the seam open and you can see the square taking shape.  Place the next template on the top of your template C and again sew it to where it ends.

Iron it open and you will see your squares.  If it isn’t square you placed the templates incorrectly or cut them out wrong.  Notice I have done that.  That is why I know.  Look at the tip where the point comes together.  It is important to have the templates overlapping and have room to match with the tip of the center square.  So take a look and if there isn’t enough  Then take the seam out reattach the template so that it overlaps.  Once you see it you’ll know exactly what I am talking about.  Sorry I can't describe it right!

I laid out the pieces so I could see the finished product.  I did each row separate.  I started with the center.  I lined up the point of the center square and the point of Template B and then sewed the edges.  The points should be staring at each other.  I did the other end the same way.  Now off the the end pieces.  They are pretty easy.  Just be sure the raw edges of the Template A points and sewn in the seam.  Sew all together.  Now you should have 3 rows to but together.

Attach the center row to the side, Match up the center points to the seam and the center point to Template B They should all go together pretty easy.  Again be sure you’re points are in line and the raw edges of the corners are including in the seam so the fabric doesn’t pull out.

Square off to 12 ½ inche3s and Voila you did it.  Yeah.  If you have any questions please ask my mom...cause I won't know the answers.  I'm sewing retarded!

Thanks guys and have fun!!!!