Stars and Square in a Square

Each year my real time patchwork group makes a monthly block challenge, which we keep for ourselves or make for each other.  This year we given a monthly set of instructions for two 12 inch blocks which we construct from our own stashes.  At the next meeting all 48 blocks are collected and sorted into two quilts' worth.  At our Christmas breakup we will each receive a package with 24 quilts blocks to make into a quilt (or perhaps a UFO).

Last month's pattern was for a star block and a square in a square.  We were given the feature fabric and a guideline for colours.  Here are my two blocks:

I thought, 6.5 inch square of feature fabric? Another I Spy idea!  I made two more blocks for myself.

I decided to use some animal prints.  The little fish on the left have ocean corners, and the koalas on the right have wattle flower corners. 

The two different blocks make a great secondary pattern.  I better make some more.....

Spinning Stars are Topped

A few weeks ago I shared some Spinning Star blocks.  When I had enough for a small quilt I spread them out to do some star gazing.

I really, really liked this layout but I saw two potential problems. Firstly, the thought of matching all those seams seemed like too much trouble.  Secondly, I only had 15 blocks and I wanted a bigger quilt top without making anymore.

One quilt I finished last year was made from orphan blocks with Friendship stars in the sashing.  All the fabric came from my stash; it was a challenge to find another print when the previous one ran out.  I liked the end result, this quilt lives with my daughter-in-law.*

So, I found some red fabric in the stash that was nice but had been around for too long.  I still had enough blue from the star blocks so I decided to make a red sashing with blue Friendship stars at each intersection.

Part way through the assembling process I realised that the friendship stars and the spinning stars look exactly the same - just put together differently.  I added an additional row to finish the blue stars.  I've chosen the fabric for the backing and I have the batting on hand, so there's another free quilt made from the stash.

*I have just discovered that I didn't take a photo of this one before I gave it away - panic!  I will have to photograph it in it's new home next time I visit.

Some Spinning Stars

I received some new storage shelving for Christmas ( I'm a lucky girl), but I have to remove the old wardrobe to fit the new cabinets in.  To reach the old wardrobe I have to tidy up - which is fine- but it's a bit of a process.  I've found all sorts of UFOs and I'm sorting and throwing out.

I found a bag with some half finished I Spy blocks.  I think I started this top when I was looking for a pattern to use some strips leftover from cutting squares.  The inspiration was from Bonnie Hunter's "Star Gazing" in her book Scraps & Shirttails.  Spinning Stars is an easy peasy block and only needs 2.5 inch strips.

Using 2.5 inch strips at least 19 inches long, join an I Spy strip lengthwise with a complimentary print.  Crosscut into four 4.5 inch blocks.

Add a light 2.5 inch square to the I Spy print and add a dark square to the opposite corner.  Stitch and flip - sew along the diagonal of the square, trim the excess fabric, and press into the corner. 

Join the four blocks into a star shape. 

Here's a finished Spinning Star with 2.5 inch sashing.  Doesn't it look great?  And it's such an easy block.