August Block of the Month – The Autumn Star Block

Our August block is simply stunning.  It is not only a great block for large pattern or novelty fabric, it’s also an easy block to sew.

The finished block size is 12 ½” –

                     (Figure 1)

                 (Figure 2)

Cut an 8 ½” block for the center of the star.

Cut 4 – 4” blocks of fabric 2

Cut 4 - 2 ½” X 8 ½” strips of fabric 3

Cut 8 - 2 ½” blocks of fabric 4

Cut 4 - 2 ½” blocks of fabric 5

Place the 4 - 4” blocks right side together on the corners of the 8 ½” block. 

You are going to sew these blocks on the diagonal so that when you flip it outward you still have a square.

                (Figure 3)

Cut away the excess material

                (Figure 4)

Now, take your 2 ½” X 8 ½” strips and place the 2 ½” squares (fabric 4) on either end right sides together.  Once again you are going to sew on the diagonal.  You are sewing these so that the larger part of the triangles are on the same side.

(Figure 5). 

You can cut away the excess material.  If your seems are a little off and the triangle is just a little short, you can cut away the inside piece of fabric but leave the back fabric.  This will help to insure that your block will finish to the correct size.

Now sew one of these sections to the top and one to the bottom of the piece.

You are now going to take the 2 ½” blocks from fabric 5 and attach them to the remaining 2 side pieces.  These will be your corner blocks. 

Sew the remaining blocks into place on the sides.

Square up to 12 ½”.

Stand back and admire the block.

Now make more!