Sawtooth Star to Rising Star sizing question
01-07-2013, 06:15 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
Sawtooth Star to Rising Star sizing question
I have made some blocks of the sawtooth star pattern for a quilt. I would like to add some extra size to the blocks and make them the Rising Star pattern (star in a star). Because I don't have a pattern and this is my first attempt, I need some assistance in calculating sizes for the additional Rising Star pieces. For the sawtooth stars, my center block is 4.5" square. Middle top and bottom (for the flying geese sides) is 4.5" x 2.5". Outer corners are 2.5" square.
I currently have four different fabrics for stars (same center and points on white) and have made eight of each star for a total of 32. Any suggestions or picture samples on how to put it together so it looks nice? I'm thinking some sashing in between the stars?
I currently have four different fabrics for stars (same center and points on white) and have made eight of each star for a total of 32. Any suggestions or picture samples on how to put it together so it looks nice? I'm thinking some sashing in between the stars?
01-07-2013, 06:36 AM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Welcome! Here's a link to a quilt I made with a few of the star-in-star blocks. I didn't know they had a name!
My outer stars finish at 8", inner stars finish at 4".
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t209062.html
Before I give you any calculations, i need to know. When you provided the measurements, was that the CUT size of the piece or the FINISHED size of the piece? For instance, you said that the center square was 4.5". Did you cut the piece of fabric 4.5" (cut size) or when you measure the square in one of the completed blocks does it measure 4.5" (finished size)?
My outer stars finish at 8", inner stars finish at 4".
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t209062.html
Before I give you any calculations, i need to know. When you provided the measurements, was that the CUT size of the piece or the FINISHED size of the piece? For instance, you said that the center square was 4.5". Did you cut the piece of fabric 4.5" (cut size) or when you measure the square in one of the completed blocks does it measure 4.5" (finished size)?
01-07-2013, 06:43 AM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,134
All those measurements you mentioned are UNFINISHED.
To recalculate a block size (larger or smaller), you have to use FINISHED sizes.
The Sawtooth Star block is based on a 4x4 grid
The larger Rising Star would also be on the same grid.
So if your FINISHED SS block is 8", and you want it to fit into the middle of a RS block, then the RS block will be 16" FINISHED.
So in a 16" block on a 4x4 grid each square would be 4" FINISHED.
The FINISHED sizes of the each of the components would be:
Corner squares = 4" (cut 4.5")
Flying Geese = 4" x 8" (cut 4.5" x 8.5" rectangle, cut two 4.5" squares)
Center SS block = 8" (8.5" UNFINISHED)
To recalculate a block size (larger or smaller), you have to use FINISHED sizes.
The Sawtooth Star block is based on a 4x4 grid
The larger Rising Star would also be on the same grid.
So if your FINISHED SS block is 8", and you want it to fit into the middle of a RS block, then the RS block will be 16" FINISHED.
So in a 16" block on a 4x4 grid each square would be 4" FINISHED.
The FINISHED sizes of the each of the components would be:
Corner squares = 4" (cut 4.5")
Flying Geese = 4" x 8" (cut 4.5" x 8.5" rectangle, cut two 4.5" squares)
Center SS block = 8" (8.5" UNFINISHED)
01-07-2013, 08:21 AM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,134
As for your setting, since you asked, here are some random thoughts......
Take a hint from PP's quilt up above - I think the SS and RS blocks ALWAYS looks better when set on point (plus you won't need to make so many of them).
A 16" block on point would be ~22.5" across.
jmho, but do anything other than a straight grid of blocks.....so very, very not interesting. ;-)
You could always alternate, say, a 4 patch of the 8" blocks mixed in with the larger RS block.
Also, to add interest, you could also put a smaller SS block in the center of some of your 8" SS block (iow, making a 8" Rising Star block).
Here's a quick mock-up of using the different configurations - needs work (made in two minutes on a finicky laptop) but it gives you an idea of possibilities.
I didn't included sashing, but that's a personal preference.
It's your quilt. Do what you want.
Making something like that isn't really any more difficult than just putting blocks together in rows, but aesthetically, it's definitely makes a much more interesting quilt.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386431[/ATTACH]
Another idea....
I'm usually not a pattern person as I prefer to come up with my own settings, but one of my favorite star quilts that I've ever seen is the Shakespeare in the Park pattern by Judy Martin (from The Creative Pattern book - a really terrific book).
Again, just the SS and RS blocks, on point, alternating with a Snail's Trail block.
Really simple and still a fabulous looking quilt.
Take a look a these renditions of the quilt:
https://www.google.com/search?q=shak...the+park+quilt
Take a hint from PP's quilt up above - I think the SS and RS blocks ALWAYS looks better when set on point (plus you won't need to make so many of them).
A 16" block on point would be ~22.5" across.
jmho, but do anything other than a straight grid of blocks.....so very, very not interesting. ;-)
You could always alternate, say, a 4 patch of the 8" blocks mixed in with the larger RS block.
Also, to add interest, you could also put a smaller SS block in the center of some of your 8" SS block (iow, making a 8" Rising Star block).
Here's a quick mock-up of using the different configurations - needs work (made in two minutes on a finicky laptop) but it gives you an idea of possibilities.
I didn't included sashing, but that's a personal preference.
It's your quilt. Do what you want.
Making something like that isn't really any more difficult than just putting blocks together in rows, but aesthetically, it's definitely makes a much more interesting quilt.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386431[/ATTACH]
Another idea....
I'm usually not a pattern person as I prefer to come up with my own settings, but one of my favorite star quilts that I've ever seen is the Shakespeare in the Park pattern by Judy Martin (from The Creative Pattern book - a really terrific book).
Again, just the SS and RS blocks, on point, alternating with a Snail's Trail block.
Really simple and still a fabulous looking quilt.
Take a look a these renditions of the quilt:
https://www.google.com/search?q=shak...the+park+quilt
01-07-2013, 03:21 PM
#7
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,134
Look at what just popped up - I LOVE this setting (and I think it can work in any colorway):
http://www.quiltingboard.com/pictures-f5/can-anyone-identify-quilt-pattern-t210371.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/pictures-f5/can-anyone-identify-quilt-pattern-t210371.html
01-07-2013, 08:42 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
You're the best, MTS! THANK YOU for all of your help and expertise! I made a rising star earlier tonight and first sized my SS to 8". Then I cut the flying geese to 8.5" and, well, you know the rest! Back to the drawing board!
I absolutely love the RS set on point! Looks fantastic like that. And I definitly agree not just in rows for placement. Will do some research on the Shakespeare pattern and Snail's Trail pattern. Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction. Excited to see how this will turn out!
I absolutely love the RS set on point! Looks fantastic like that. And I definitly agree not just in rows for placement. Will do some research on the Shakespeare pattern and Snail's Trail pattern. Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction. Excited to see how this will turn out!
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