Star Quilt Block of the Month Tutorial #9 - Royal Star

Welcome to Block Nine, Royal Star.  This block looks complex, but if you follow my step by step instructions, you will find it is easy to sew.  The most important thing to remember while sewing this block, is to double check that each unit is facing the correct direction before stitching your seam.   If you need to catch up, the previous eight Block of the Month Tutorials can be found under the "Star Block of the Month Tutorials" tab at the top of this page.  Remember that all seam allowances are 1/4".  All blocks in this series will finish at 12".  And away we go....

The Royal Star Block appears as a star floating over a background of four triangles.  Keep this in mind when you pick out your fabrics. You will need a good contrast between the lights for the background, and the darks for the star to get pleasing results.

The fabrics I used in my block from left to right:  Pink, Lilac, Purple, Brown, Dark Brown.  These fabrics are all from Robert Kaufman.  The pink is an Artisan Batik, the lilac and purple are from the Jennifer Sampou Studio Stash line, and the browns are Fusions.

Cutting Instructions

                            Pink:  Cut 2 ea. 3-7/8" squares A          Lilac:  Cut 2 ea. 3-7/8" squares A   

                                     Cut 1 ea. 4-1/4" square B                      Cut 1 ea. 4-1/4" square B

                                     Cut 2 ea 2-5/8" squares C                     Cut 2 ea. 2-5/8" squares C

Purple:  Cut 4 ea. half square triangles D from 2 ea. 3-7/8" squares  
Cut 2 ea. 4-1/4" squares B

Brown:  Cut 8 ea. quarter square triangles E from 2 ea. 4-1/4" squares

Dark Brown: Cut 4 ea. 2-5/8" squares C 

Sewing the Block:

Step 1:  Sew each of the Pink 2-5/8" squares C to a Lilac 2-5/8" square C.  

Sew the pairs together to make a Four Patch unit.

Sew one Purple half square triangle D to each side of the Four Patch unit.

For accuracy, match the point of the triangle with the center line of the four patch unit and pin.

The completed center unit.

Step 2:  Sew one Brown quarter square triangle E to one side of a Dark Brown 2-5/8" square C.

Sew a second Brown quarter square triangle E to an adjacent side of the Dark Brown 2-5/8" square C to make a large triangle unit.

Sew a total of four large triangle units.

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the reverse side of the Pink 4-1/4" squares B and the Lilac 4-1/4" squares B.

Pair them right sides together with the Purple 4-1/4" squares B.

Sew 1/4" away from the line on both sides.

Cut on the drawn lines.

Open out, and press.

Cut each unit in half diagonally from corner to corner to yield four Pink/Purple small triangle units and four Lilac/Purple small triangle units.

Sew two of the Pink/Purple small triangle units to one of the large triangle units.

Repeat.

Sew two of the Lilac/Purple small triangle units to one of the large triangle units.  Repeat.

Step 3:  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the reverse side of the Pink 3-7/8" squares A.

Pair them right sides together with the two Lilac 3-7/8" squares A.  Sew 1/4" away from the line on both sides.

Cut on the drawn lines.

Open out, and press.  You should have four each Pink/Lilac square units.  Each unit should measure 3-1/2" square.

Step 4:  Lay out the block.  Be careful with the unit placement.  When the units are in the correct positions, it should appear as if the star is "floating" over a background of two Lilac triangles, and two Pink triangles.

Sew the units into three rows.

Sew the rows together to complete the block.

Smile!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas