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                          The Star Point Block                       

                      With my cut down method we can make units I call "blocks"

                                        "Star Point Block"

                          This unit or "Star Point Block" can be made in quantity and in any color combination- then you can use    

             them  in any quilt block or project.  Traditionally quilt blocks are made by cutting out fabric shapes   

                   squares/triangles/etc and then  sewing them into quilt blocks which are then sewn into quilts.  With my     

            method  the piecing is much easier and faster!  You will get dramatic looks with easy piecing !                                                                                                                                      

  The Cut Down Method - a shortcut to making quick "blocks"

          If you are making blocks -- sew fabric together and then cut down to the size you want

            If you are adding borders -- sew on border fabric then cut the border to the desired size

                  Swatches make this process easier to do. A swatch is a piece of fabric that is roughly cut. Please do not cut

                   a perfect square because you will trim this fabric later. The size of your template depends on the project you

   choose to do.                                                                                                                                                                       

             Tip:  If you don't know what size template you need to make that 8 1/2" quilt block try this tip!  You can use

 You will need:

         two swatches (about 2" x 2")  small print dark cotton fabric

                          one swatch (2" x 2") small print cotton medium or light value fabric

                                               1 template -  an acrylic 1 1/2" square template ( you can use whatever size you want )

                       Now let's make a " Block"  

                          Illustrations below depict the process to making the star point block.           

         Lay the dark swatch face down onto the light swatch. Lay a ruler along one side --with a rotary cutter cut

           a straight edge. Hold or pin the two pieces together and sew a seam along the cut edge. Open and iron the

                seam open-- the fabric lays flatter if the seam is ironed open instead of to the dark side. This is more important

                in small  projects than in regular quilts. Small projects show all the little things that would probably blend in in a

                                 larger quilt. Place the joined fabric face up on your mini cutting mat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

            Next:  You will need an acrylic template with a 60 degree angle marked on it. I mark mine by scoring a line

               with my seam ripper. Or you can use a ruler with a 60 degree line.  I use a 1 1/2" template for the final square

   so I use a 2" square for the 60 degree cut.                                                                                         

          I will send you the first 60 degree template and one 1 1/2" template free  if you send me an email

         with your  mailing address @ patchesbyr@yahoo.com  After that the templates are on my online

          store site @   www.patchworkbyrhonda.com.                                                                                          

      Now:  place the line on your template(the 60 degree) on the seam. Make sure the tip of the template is   

                below the top edge of your fabric. Pay attention to which way you want the template to lay. Your fabric on one

          side of  your line will be smaller than the other and you want the right color of fabric to be where you want it

 so double check this before you cut. Whichever color of fabric is on the smaller side - that one will be

 in the middle of your square! Now cut along the right hand edge of your template.                              

 Do not go on around the template!

                    Next:  Cut a straight edge on the third swatch ( the other dark one). Place it face down over the cut edge on the

            face up light side of the joined swatches. Pin them together matching the edges. Sew a seam along that edge.

              Open and iron. If you iron it flat on both sides it will be easier to cut! Place the joined swatches face up on the

   mini cutting mat.                                                                                                                                 

             Now: Place the 1 1/2" template on the joined swatches. Look at the placement of the template in the diagram

      below. Allow  1/4" from the corner of the template to the point (where the fabrics meet in a point)on the

                 swatches. If you look at the template you will see the 1/4" lines that cross just below thepoint. Place the x where

         the lines cross on the tip of the point where the fabrics meet. The opposite corner of the template should be

centered in the bottom part of the light fabric.                                                                                   

                  Next:  Hold the template in place and using a rotary cutter cut out around the template.  Make sure you hold the

        template firmly in place so you get a good clean cut out square!  You can reuse the scrap leftovers in more

  blocks.  If you pull gently from the inside of the joined seams the fabric should come apart fairly easily.

Illustrations -- You can make these assembly line fashion and it goes really quick. Cut all fabric/sew

first two swatches/ cut all / add third fabric/and then cut all squares out

  We make these up ahead in lots of color combos  and then I can mix and match til I have a design I like.

               Swatches            Two joined swatches  Scored template   Cutting first cut          60 degree cut          Third fabric added

                     All 3 Fabrics joined            1 1/2" template on fabric          Square cut out             Star Point Square            

          You may not think so but we have found that the scored template shows up better on the fabric than one with a black line.

            After you have learned to make the "blocks" you can make as many as you want to and try any project or quilt

              blocks you want to make.  You will find free quilt blocks on our Free Quilt Block link. There are traditional quilt

            blocks and the layout of the "Star Point Blocks" so you can see how to use the "blocks". If you look at a lot of

           traditional  blocks you will see that you can use this piecing method instead of the traditional way of cutting out

  triangles and then sewing them together.                                                                                                

     If you have any questions you can contact me at patchesbyr@yahoo.com

Rhonda Woodsmall