February 2018 Block of the Month: Evening Star

She’s Our Star 2018 Block of the Month

February: Evening Star

Add two more quilt blocks to the Star of Hope block from January. This month we’re stitching the traditional Evening Star design. Team Nancy Zieman is pleased to honor Nancy with this beautiful new block of the month series featuring Nancy’s New Farmhouse Florals fabric line for Penny Rose from Riley Blake!

Evening Star combines 1/2-square triangle units, solid corner units, and a 9-patch mini-block. The 9-patch mini-block is the center of this star design.

Each month, we will feature one block design made in two color-ways. Both blocks are created using Farmhouse Floral fat quarters* (18″ x 22″ fabric rectangles) and background fabrics. Follow along as we demonstrate how to easily create Block A.

 Block A

Block B

Keep your fabric choices sorted using this handy Fabric Planner diagram. Download the planner HERE. Print two and make notes or pin swatches to remind you of the fabric placements.

Choose the Fabrics

For the Evening Star blocks, select the following fabrics from your Farmhouse Florals fat-quarter bundle and a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge.

Cut Fabric for Blocks

Block A: 

• Cut four 3-1/2″ squares blue Farmhouse Stripe fabric.

• Cut four 3-7/8″ squares white Shiplap fabric. (The fabric is hard to see in the image below. Our apologies.)
• Cut four 3-7/8″ squares pink Farmhouse Floral fabric.

• Cut five 2-1/2″ squares red Shiplap fabric.
• Cut four 2-1/2″ squares yellow Farmhouse Petals fabric.

Block B: 

• Cut four 3-1/2″ squares blue Farmhouse Petals fabric.

• Cut four 3-7/8″ squares cream Farmhouse Toss fabric.
• Cut four 3-7/8″ squares yellow Farmhouse Stripe fabric.

• Cut five 2-1/2″ squares red Farmhouse Petals fabric.
• Cut four 2-1/2″ squares blue Farmhouse Floral fabric.

 Construct The Units

All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.

The step-by-step photos illustrate construction of BLOCK A. Block B construction is identical.

Half Square Triangles (HSTs)

• To create the center of each block: Layer two 3-7/8″ squares on other two 3-7/8″ squares, matching right sides.

• Mark each block set diagonally from corner to corner, using a fabric marking pen and ruler.
• For greatest accuracy, use a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge. The left side of the gauge is designed to create the 3-1/2″ HST blocks.
• Depress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2″ HST icon on the left side of the gauge.
• Place gauge on the block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with a fine-point, fabric-marking pen.

    The advantage of using the No-Hassle Triangle Gauge is accuracy. It’s easy to double check that the block set fits within the confines of the gauge. If the block set extends beyond or is shorter, trim or cut another block.

Stitch Half-Square Triangle Units

• Attach a 1/4″ Patchwork/Quilting Foot to your machine.
• Set machine for a straight stitch, 2.0–2.5 mm in length.
• Align foot along one side of the center marked line; stitch a scant 1/4″ from center marked line. Do not cut the threads.
• Kiss the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch from one block to the other.

• Clip threads between chain stitched blocks. Rotate blocks 180-degrees.
• Align foot along second side of center marked line; stitch. Clip threads between chain stitched blocks.
• With a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, cut the blocks apart along centerline markings.

• Press seam allowances toward the darker fabric.
• Create a total of eight HST units.

Stitch 9-Patch Unit

• Arrange the 2-1/2″ squares as shown:

• Sew the small squares together, as shown, to create three rows.
• Press seam allowances towards center for top and bottom rows. Press seam allowances away from center for middle row.

• Join 9-patch rows interlocking seam allowances at each intersection.

• Press seams towards center block.

 Construct The Blocks

Arrange the Blocks

• Arrange Block A as shown:

• Sew row one elements together, joining all four units. Repeat steps for row three (bottom row).
• Stitch HST’s (right and left sides of second row/middle row) together to create two mock flying geese units.
• Sew the “Flying Geese” units to center 9-patch unit. This creates row two.

• Press seam allowances of rows one and three to the right.
• Press seam allowances of row two to the left.
• Interlock the seam allowances, pin, and sew the rows together.
• Press.
• Repeat steps above to create February Block Two.

The No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks book shows exactly how to create this block and 11 others. For best results, use the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge.

Watch No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.

Happy Quilting,

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.

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