I'm trying to make a block that is 6" square, finished. It is the same as this patch on quilter's cache, that is just the spiky part of the star (the middle of the three outer blocks). It is also the same block shown in the border of the quilt.
[url] http://quilterscache.com/D/DoveattheWindowBlock.html[url/]
I made a 6.5 inch square of background, then made two 3.5 x 6.5 rectangles of star spike fabric, and sewed diagonally, top left to bottom right of the rectangles and obviously, that just doesn't work out. I finally folded the rec and placed it on the square and realized that it had to be sewn on in an off set manner, so strip piecing is out because it needs to be so precise with the recs already cut and I worry that my blocks won't end up at 6.5 unfinished. Quilter's cache always uses paper piecing for this part of the star in all the blocks that have this patch.
Is anyone aware of a strip piecing method? I have all 24 of my squares cut, so I need to be very careful and very little spare fabric to cut more. All other blocks for the quilt are made.
If I have to paper piece, am I going to need to put a 6.5 square of the star spike fabric over the background square in order to get the right results for each side of the spike?
I have never paper pieced or used templates before.
BTW, does anyone know the generic name of that star with a solid center?
Diane