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Block of the Month II

September 1998 - 6" Block

 Empire Star

Fabric

The Empire Star Block uses two different fabrics.

 One focus fabric

 One background fabric


Cutting the fabric

This Block requires:

 six 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles of the background fabric.
 twelve 2" squares of focus fabric
 one 2-3/8" x 4-3/4" rectangle of background fabric
 one 2-3/8" x 4-3/4" rectangle of focus fabric


 Piecing the Block

 1) On the wrong side of the 2-3/8" x 4-3/4" background fabric, lightly mark a line 2-3/8" from one of the shorter sides. This should divide the rectangle into two 2-3/8" squares. Then mark a diagonal line through the center of the squares as shown.
 2) Place the marked rectangle of background fabric, right sides together, with the 2-3/8" x 4-3/4" rectangle of focus fabric, making sure that all of the edges are even. Sew 1/4" away from the marked diagonal lines as shown.

3) With the rotary cutter, carefully cut the sewn rectangles apart on the marked lines as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the focus fabric. This should yield four 2" half-square triangles.
 4) On the wrong side of the twelve 2" squares of focus fabric, lightly mark a diagonal line as shown.
 5) Place one of the marked 2" squares of focus fabric, right sides together, with one of the 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles of background fabric with the marked diagonal line placed as shown. Sew on the marked diagonal line. Repeat with the five remaining 2" x 3-1/2" background fabric rectangles and five more of the marked 2" squares of focus fabric.

6) Trim the units sewn in Step 5, 1/4" away from the diagonal line as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the focus fabric square. There completed units should measure 2"x 3-1/2".
 7) Take one of the units completed in Step 6 and place together with one of the remaining 2" focus fabric squares, right sides together, with the marked diagonal line placed as shown. Sew on the marked diagonal line. Repeat with the five remaining Step 6 units and the five remaining 2" focus fabrics squares.

8) Trim the Step 7 units 1/4" from the sewn diagonal line as shown. Press seam allowances toward the focus fabric. The finished "geese" should measure 2" x 3-1/2".
 9) Take two of the half square triangles completed in Step 2 and piece together with one of the units completed in Step 8 as shown to complete the top row of the Empire Star Block. Repeat with one more of the Step 8 units and the two remaining half-square triangle units. Press the seam allowances toward the half square triangles. The completed rows should measure 2" x 6-1/2".
 10) Take two of the geese units completed in Step 8 and piece together as shown to complete one of the two center Empire Star quilt Block rows. Repeat with the two remaining Step 8 geese units. Press seam allowances toward the left. These two completed middle rows should measure 2" x 6-1/2".
 11) Take the two middle rows completed in Step 10 and piece together as shown to complete the middle of the quilt Block. Press the seam allowance in either direction. The completed unit should measure 4" x 6-1/2".
 12) Piece the top and bottom Block rows completed in Step 9 with the middle section of the Block completed in Step 11 to completed the Empire Star quilt Block. Press the seam allowances toward the center of the Block. The completed Block should measure 6-1/2" square which includes a 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.

WWQP Quilt Coloring Book page for the Empire Star Block

© Susan E Traudt 1998
 World Wide Quilting Page * Block of the Month II