Block #3

EQ7 calls this block "Martha Washington's Star", it is a variation of a variable star. "Variable Star" is one of my favorite block patterns, and I know a few variations are going to show up in the quilt along!


For this block you will need -


For the fast flying geese -
1 - 5+3/4" square background
4 - 3+1/8" squares print A

For the center windmill -
1 - 3+7/16" squares print B
1 - 3+7/16" squares print C
2 - 3+1/8" squares print B

Corner squares -
4 - 2+3/4" squares background

To make the "Fast Flying Geese" draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each small print A squares, and lay 2 squares on the large background square -

Sew ¼" on either side of the line, cut apart and press the small triangles back.

Place the remaining small triangles and sew ¼" on either side of the line.

Cut apart and press. Trim the flying geese to a 2+3/4" x 5" unfinished size.
These are quick "Fast Flying Geese" instructions - I have posted more detailed instructions on a previous post and there are online instructions available.

Making the windmill center -

Layer the two 3+7/16" print B and C squares wrong sides together. Draw a diagonal line and sew ¼" on either side of the line. Cut apart and press the seam to print C.


Lay the two smaller squares on the half-square triangles. Draw a diagonal line and sew ¼" on either side of the line.

Cut apart and press the seam. Trim the squares to 2+3/4".

Sew the windmill together.

Unpick the last few stitches of the previous seams and

press the seams in alternating directions to reduce the bulk where all the points meet.

Trim the windmill section to a 5" square. Sew all the pieces together.

Press and trim to 9½" square. Finished!

Along with the second block.

I probably won't post another block until next week, I'll work on some other projects!

I hope there are no mistakes - blogger is disabling image uploads and I wanted to get this finished!

*Update* - Oct 21 - I had wanted to add this yesterday but ran out of time!

Here is a variation for block #3 (this is from a baby quilt that I made for my youngest child). All the squares are the same measurements, but the two 3+7/16" squares of prints B + C need to be cut (on the diagonal) into 4 triangles before sewing together. The two 3+1/8" squares need to be made with a print D, and cut (on the diagonal) into 2 triangles. Lay all the pieces for the windmill section out in the correct pattern before sewing.
Karen has a great idea of changing fabric placement for the second one of each block design.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!♥