January Block of the Month: Star of Hope

She’s Our Star 2018 Block of the Month

January: Star of Hope

Introducing the first of six star-based blocks, Star of Hope. This block is originally featured in Nancy Zieman’s own book, No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks and on No-Hassle Triangle Quilt Blocks Part-Two on Sewing With Nancy. Team Nancy Zieman thinks this is a great start to the new year and new block of the month!

Star of Hope combines 1/4-square and 1/2-square triangle units. It is a modified 1/4-square triangle block to create an illusion of traditionally sewn Flying Geese. The 1/2-square blocks at the center create the illusion of a square-in-a-square. The construction couldn’t be easier.

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 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 Star of Hope 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 pink Farmhouse Toss fabric.

• Cut two 3-7/8 ” squares cream Farmhouse Floral fabric.
• Cut two 3-7/8 ” squares yellow Farmhouse Stripe fabric.

• Cut two 4-1/4″ squares pink Farmhouse Toss fabric.
• Cut two 4-1/4″ squares red Farmhouse Shiplap fabric.
• Cut four 3-7/8″ squares blue Farmhouse Shiplap fabric.

Block B: 

• Cut four 3-1/2″ squares cream Farmhouse Toss fabric.

• Cut two 3-7/8″ squares yellow Farmhouse Petals fabric.
• Cut two 3-7/8″ squares blue Farmhouse Main fabric.

• Cut two 4-1/4″ squares red Farmhouse Shiplap fabric.
• Cut two 4-1/4″ squares blue Farmhouse Floral fabric.
• Cut four 3-7/8″ squares pink Farmhouse Stripe 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 Blocks

• 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. (To make them more easily seen, black stitching lines are digitally added in the image below. White coordinating thread was actually used.)

• 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 four HST units.

Stitch Modified Quarter-Square Triangle Blocks

• Use two 4-1/4″ squares pink Farmhouse Toss fabric, two 4-1/4″ squares red Farmhouse Shiplap fabric, and four 3-7/8″ squares blue Farmhouse Shiplap fabric to create the first HST units.

• Layer two 4-1/4″ squares on other two 4-1/4″ 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 RIGHT side of the gauge is designed to create the 3-1/2″ quarter-square blocks.
• Depress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2″ quarter-square icon on the RIGHT 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.

• 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 four HST units.
• Trim the HST blocks to 3-7/8″ square.

•  Layer one 3-7/8″ solid square onto one of the new HST units, matching right sides.

• 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 solid triangle.
• Create a total of eight modified quarter-square triangle units.

 Construct The Blocks

Arrange the Blocks

• Use four 3-1/2″ solid square blocks, eight modified quarter-square blocks and four HST blocks  to arrange Block A as shown:

• Use four 3-1/2″ solid square blocks, eight modified quarter-square blocks and four HST blocks to arrange Block B as shown:

• Sew units into horizontal rows.

• Press seam allowances of rows one and three to the right.
• Press seam allowances of rows two and four to the left.
• Interlock the seam allowances, pin, and sew the rows together.
• Press.

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 Sewing,

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.

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