3 1/2″ Star Block Correction for Robin’s Nest

On 19 April 2017  I posted my progress on Robin’s Nest quilt and why I did not want to use the templates provided so I reversed engineered the directions for rotary cutting of the Star!

These are the instructions I had posted and they are WRONG!  If you use them you will be working with bias on the Flying Geese and that will cause a lot of issues.

“There are 17 pieces in each star.

• Cut 4 each 1 1/4″ squares for the corner from a 1 1/4″ strip from the light fabric.
•  1 each 2″ square for the Center from a 2″ dark fabric strip.
• 4 each 1 3/4″ squares cut once diagonally for the Star Points from a  dark 1 3/4″ strip
•  2 each 2″ squares cut diagonally for the Flying Geese background fabric (light)

When I sew the Flying Geese I use a scant 1/4″ seam allowance, then I go back to the full 1/4″ seam allowance to put the rest of the Star Block together.  It comes out perfect.  I am using 50wt Aurifil thread and a Husqvarna Designer I.  (this is important because all machines are different)”

On 22 April 2017 I posted how I had problems putting the first ring of the pattern together and how the Hexagon was off on the measurements.  After doing a test pattern with plain fabric I knew I would have to completely start over if I did not want the quilt to be a bomb out.  Monday I made one star that seemed to be OK, then on the second star I began to realize that I had a Bias problem!  I was working with bias on the outer part of the block!

Then the light blue went on!!!  By using a 2″ square, cut once diagonally, I was making my Flying Geese with a bias edge on the outside of the block!  My first thought was to do a stay stitching line on each of the bias sides and maybe that would stop the issue!  I decided that I would give up for the day and go sit in my recliner and think about the problem.

After supper, I decided to google on any information on working with bias edges.  I found Controlling Bias Edges.  After reading this article I decided to check out YouTube and see what I could find there that would help me figure out how to get rid of the bias edges on my Flying Geese.  I found a very short 2 minute video from Jenny Beyer Understanding Grainline.  What a great visual for me!  For some reason, grain line has always given me problems so it was time to correct that and Jenny provided a great example.   I needed to cut my Flying Geese background fabric from a “Quarter Square Triangle” rather than “Half Square Triangles”!!!!!  If I had kept working the stars using HST’s the quilt would have been a mess!

So here is the corrected version for making the 3 1/2″ Star Block:

“There are 17 pieces in each star.   If you pre-wash your fabrics, spray your fabric with Sizing to prevent any stretching.  

• Cut 4 each – 1 1/4″ squares for the corner (from a 1 1/4″ strip from the Light fabric.)
• Cut 1 each – 2 inch square for the Center (from a 2″ Dark fabric strip.)
• Cut 4 each – 2 inch squares – cut once diagonally for the Star Points (from a  Dark 2 inch strip.)
• Cut 1 each – 3 inch squares cut diagonally TWICE  (Quarter Square Triangles) for the Flying Geese background fabric (light)

Sew the Flying Goose unit with a full 1/4″ seam allowance and finger press, then trim the unit to        1  1/4″ x 2″  It comes out perfect but make sure that the points are equal when trimming.  I use 50 wt Aurifil thread and have a Husqvarna Designer One machine.  Be sure to check your 1/4″ seam allowance on your machine as all machines are different. 

This morning I tried the new procedure and it has taken care of the problem.  Another lesson for me!  No wonder at times I had problems with some of my work!  I printed out the Hedgehog Hints on Bias Edges and a picture of Jenny’s information and that will be posted on my design board – never to forget again!!!!!

Have a great day – things are looking up for Robin’s Nest!