Star Struck...

Well, the clouds parted this weekend and I actually witnessed some stars in the night sky (although it was WAY past my bedtime!)

So let's build some blocks. This week we are going to use the 4-patch units and the V-Block units to make 12 each 12-1/2" star blocks like this:

Each star block is comprised of 5 each 4-patch units and 4 each V-Blocks and that is it. Easy right, RIGHT?

Full disclosure this is what the back of my blocks look like:

I like to build my blocks from the bottom up. Don't know exactly why, I guess because I can actually remember "Bottoms Up!" No further explanation on that bit of info!

You see the bottom row is pressed toward the V-Block...the center row is pressed toward the V-Block...and you guessed it the top row is pressed toward the V-Blocks. And yes, I did spin my seams. The top right and the bottom left both spin COUNTER clockwise, while the top left and the bottom right spin clockwise. This is what works for me to get the flattest block possible. Will it work for you? Uhmmm, I think so?!?

My apologies for the less than stellar pics this week. You may have noticed we have been rained on pretty consistently this week again. Hey, Ms. Crew, what are we going to do with the rest of these blocks? Patience my little chick-a-dees, patience. We will work with those next week.

See you then!

Recap:

Intro Week: Materials Requirements

Week 1: Let's Play with Our Fabric (Clue 1)

Week 2: Happy Half Square Triangle Week (Clue 2)

Week 3: V, V, Victory V-Block Week (Clue 3)

Week 4: Flat Bottom Blocks Are So Pretty! (Clue 4)

Week 5: Sticks & Stones (Clue 5)

Sticks and Stones

This week we are going to make Sticks and Stones.

Remember all those 2 patches we have left over from last week's Flat Bottom blocks (52 of them if my math is correct, but then The Crew's math has been known to be ALMOST accurate!)

Cut 52 each 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" strips (Sticks) from your background fabric. Then we will match those to those 2 patches (Stones):

If you are having a bit of trouble with matching the units, here is a little trick to help you. Fold your Stick in half to make a crease:

Match that crease to the seam in your Stones and sew your 1/4" seam. I pressed toward the background. It truly doesn't matter in the final quilt, but these blocks seamed happier that way! I guess you could say the Stones wanted to be the boss of the Stick!

Your finished units should be 4-1/2" x 4-1/2":

I love it when a plan comes together! 

Make 52 of these happy little Sticks and Stones:

That's it for this week! Super easy, right? It gives a chance for some of you to catch up! Next week we just might start assembling some blocks! 😊

Have fun! See you next week!

Where we have been on this trip:

Intro Week: Materials Requirements
Week 1: Let's Play with Our Fabric (Clue 1)
Week 2: Happy Half Square Triangle Week (Clue 2)
Week 3: V, V, Victory V-Block Week (Clue 3)
Week 4: Flat Bottom Blocks Are So Pretty! (Clue 4)

Flat Bottom Blocks Are So Pretty...

Are we having fun yet? Last week was a little intense for the thinking cap, so this week we are going to try to make it a bit easier on the thinker.

Remember those 2-patch units we made all the way back in the beginning?

Yeah, those!

Let's get them out and play with them a bit. Yes, you know what that means here at Stoney's Crew, we grab that big bowl again!

Dump those neatly stacked 2 patches in the bowl and give them a stir.

Once they are mixed up, take 2 patches (make sure they are different!) and nest the seams like this:

Now with the bulky side of the two blocks aimed at your sewing machine needle, let's sew those 2 two-patches together using a quarter inch seam.

See how that seam is pointed toward my sewing machine needle?

Now sew and open the now 4-patch unit:

Pretty blah, right? Now with your good old pointer finger, press that top half seam toward the right...

Moving clockwise, continue gently pressing with your finger...next seam down (see it already is):

Keep moving in a clockwise direction. Next seam LEFT:

Next seam UP:

Look! Look! A little bitty 4-patch appeared!

Now using the highly technical quilting term coined by Eleanor Burns, Smoosh that little bitty 4-patch:

Well, would you look at that!

It's a thing of beauty really isn't it? Now give your block a press (and measure to make sure your block is 4-1/2" x 4-1/2") and you have a nice and FLAT BOTTOM 4-patch Block.

Now that secret little 4-patch hidden on the back may not seam too exciting, but trust me when it comes to quilting your long-armer, or quilter, or you will appreciate how flat your quilt lays. That and it is a lot like wearing wild underwear. No one knows it's there...unless you show them. But it's fun and it makes you smile that you have a secret. (by the way, if you run around showing people your underwear, that is a whole 'nother discussion. As my mom would say, "Ladies (or gentlemen) don't do that!")

You only need to make 59 more of these precious little blocks. That's right, this week's assignment is a total of 60 each 4 patch units.

Hey you, Ms. Crew, there are some 2 patches left.

Why, you are correct, there are, aren't there...Next week, my friend, next week!  See you then!

Recap of where we've been:

Intro Week: Materials Requirements
Week 1: Let's Play with Our Fabric (Clue 1)
Week 2: Happy Half Square Triangle Week (Clue 2)
Week 3: V, V, Victory V-Block Week (Clue 3)

V, V, Victory, Var, Var Varsity...V-Block Time!

Ok, fine. I'll put the pompoms away.

It's V-Block week here at Stoney's Crew! Let's look at this beast:

Not that one!

This one:

Holy cow there are a lot of numbers and lines on this thing. Here is a link to Deb Tucker's YouTube tutorial on how to use this ruler. Click here: Deb Tucker V Block Tutorial.

I'm sure my left-handed buds here appreciate info on how to use the ruler for left hand cuts. My pictures are right hand, so remember that as you read along. First we have to know what size we are going to make...for this project we need 4" FINISHED units, so we will need to cut strips 5" strips  of both BACKGROUND and PRETTY, HAPPY fabrics. Go ahead and cut them, I'll wait. You won't need as many BACKGROUND strips, since we will be cutting smaller side triangles from them. The Pretty, Happy Fabrics will be the center triangle of this block.

Let's start with the side triangles. Using the BACKGROUND fabric, I put RIGHT (Pretty) sides of fabric together before cutting.

Then I placed the ruler on top of the strip of BACKGROUND with the BOLD line marked "cut line for side triangles" on the Straight Edge of the strips:

Cut on that angle. Now I separate the mirror image pairs as I cut. I find it easier to do it as I cut then to try to decide which is which after they are all cut:

Turn your ruler 180 degrees and do you see that line that goes all the way to the 6-1/2" bottom? Place that line on your fabric cut edge like this:

Now cut on that straight edge. Separate the pairs as you go. Keep rotating your ruler until you have made 48 pairs. Yes, we are going to make 48 units.

Now on my example, I am using 5"x5" squares, you can definitely cut the strips as Deb Tucker shows in the videos, but 5" squares is what I had, so it is what I am using here.

I folded the square in half, placed the ruler on the fabric with the dashed "fold line for Center Triangle" line on the fold. Like this:

and cut to make 48 Happy fabric triangles. Did you catch that this is how you make the initial cut on your strips? You're welcome.

DO NOT THROW AWAY THOSE CLIPPINGS! We won't need them for this quilt, but I have found this pair of Quilty Truths to be self-evident.

• Fabric is expensive.
• Fabric you throw away cost just as much as the fabric you use. 

And, let's face it, Stoney, The Princess, and The Kid all think I am cheap. I found that Thrifty is more palatable of a description!

To keep the pieces parts in the right places in my mind, I lay them out like this:

Now we can begin the task of stitching together our units.

I do all of the right sides (legs) first and then the left. I assembly line it when possible.

Fold that Right leg over on top of the triangle like this:

Then stitch down that angle. Like this:

Yes, I am sorry it is hard to see the stitches, but they are there. 

I do all of the RIGHT legs and press open. Pile back up and start on the LEFT legs by laying over the triangle:

and stitching:

Press open.

Now it is trim time! 

Place your block so that it looks like a V toward you on your cutting mat. Then lay your ruler on top of the block like this:

Can you see that the "Cut sizes" on the left? The point at the bottom of our pretty fabric triangle is nestled into the "4" cross. The lines from the Point up to the top follow your seam lines. When this happens, trim the Right and Top sides of your block.

Now lift your ruler and turn your block 180 degrees.

Place your ruler on your block with the 4-1/2" Right Angle lines on the newly trimmed sides. Like this:

 and trim those last 2 sides. 

You now have a perfect 4-1/2"x 4-1/2" Happy V-Block (finishes at 4") for our quilt. Rinse and repeat 48 times. Remember to mix up your fabrics. Because it is FUN!

Now I know I told you to save those trims, but since they are not needed for this quilt, I will show you what I did with them after we are done with this project.

Wow this week was intense. We are the Champions of the World! Shake those pompoms for yourself and cheer! You earned it!

Next week it will be easier, I promise. Oh, you want a clue. OK. Flat Bottom Blocks! (Mythical bonus points to those of you that picked up the obscure 70's Queen Rock references!)

Links to previous clues:

Intro: What Will We Find?

Week 1: Let's Play With Our Fabric

Week 2: Happy Half Square Triangle Week!

 

See you next week!