Originally Posted by
Retired Fire Chief
Does anyone know why she used 4 small blocks as the foundation of the "star" rather than appliqueing the diamond/star onto one piece of fabric?
Yes but it's kind of hard to explain without pictures. Have you ever seen a 10-minute block made? The raw edges of the center piece are sewn into the seams of the 4 small blocks. The center block then has edges with no wrong side, and it's on the bias. This allows you to fold over the center piece edges and sew them down, which gives the fabric the pretty curved diamond/star shape.
It's a concept similar to how cathedral window quilts are made, also. You're folding over the edge and stitching it down.