Here is an easy, efficient way to make an 8 pointed star block with no triangles and no loss of points.
For your 12" finished block:
Cut 8 squares of your background (base) fabric at 4 and 1/2" square. 4 will be for the star-points; 4 will be in the block corners.
Cut 1 square at 4 and 1/2" sq. for the center of the star.
Cut 8 squares of your star-point fabric (snowball) at 2 and 7/8".
If you wish, draw a line across one diagonal, corner to corner, on the wrong side of the snowball sqs.
Layer a snowball sq. on one corner of the base sq., right sides together.
Sew across the diagonal (on the line).
Press toward the corner.
Trim out ONLY the middle layer of fabric (unless you plan to handquilt this quilt). [The base sq. is perfectly square; trimming anything from it will cause it to be out of square and harder to match up to the next section of the block.]
Sew the adjacent corner as before. Press, trim, set aside.
Do 4 base squares this way, for your 4 star-point sections.
Follow the graphic of the complete star to assemble your block.
**TIP Notice that you do not lose your star-points with this method! Nor do you risk losing the dip between the star-points into the seam allowance because of the size you cut the snowball squares. This little bit of 'extra' makes the whole thing "starrier", in my opinion.:-D
Jan in VA
The little bits of white around the center of the star were left to show you how the dip does not drop below the seam line. Imagine them as red, for instance.
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