Star Block

I'm working on a two block quilt this year.  It is based on nine patch variations built on a 2.5 inch base unit.  It would be adorable in a smaller size of course, but I needed and idea for 2.5 inch squares right now.   Blocks 1 is a star block, and block 2 is a shoofly.  I think these pair nicely because the colors are staggered.  

The base is just 8 neutral squares surrounding one of your main color.  January is going to be pink, so I started with that.   

The star points could be a combination of traditional half and quarter square triangles, but I'm trying to use up all my odds and ends, so I grabbed a stack of random triangles.  Most of them are leftover from joining binding strips.  Each block will need 8 triangles total.  

Start by laying a triangle right side down diagonally, do a quick flip to make sure that it will cover the corner of your neutral square when it is ironed over.   I play a little game of trying to maximize the amount of pink that will show and minimize the hangover. sew along the edge of the pink triangle and then iron it open.  The pink should completely cover the neutral background square.  There will be odd angles hanging over.  When you are sure you have the base square covered, but use that neutral square and trim off the extra pink with scissors or a rotary cutter.   I like to trim away the extra background fabric to minimize bulk, but this is a personal choice.  Because is leave an exposed bias edge, so you can also leave the base in place.   

Repeat the same procedure for the other side of the squares to make nicely paired star points.   

Here is the back, you can see that the pink fabric hangs over the edge.  Trim this extra away and then remove the background if desired.   

Here is one finished star point.  

And here it is from the front.   Each one will be unique and the angles will change depending on your starting triangles and sewing placement.  

Here are the four star points back in place again.   

Now just sew these together as you would any nine patch.  I chose to iron the seams away from the star points.  That should help the seams next when the two blocks are sewn together.   

I will post another tutorial for the shoofly block next.  It uses the same technique, but it is simpler because it uses half as many pink triangles.