I am trying to work through this block:

http://www.thequiltedsnail.com/patterns/doubleStar.pdf

Before I started this I went through this beginner tutorial with success:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-39183-1.htm

I thought I'd be able to handle the above Double Star, but I've tried it 5 times and made mistakes. I need more tutorials. Maybe other star tutorials. Where would be a good place to get more than one step-by-step tutorial?

TIA

What part are you having trouble with?

are you making it pp or cutting fabric to size then sewing? I have not pp. how are you doing it? I would make the side pieces with the triangles first and then sew them to the squares. like the center square gets two triangle-rectangle side pieces attached then the other two side triangle-rectangle side pieces get the corner squares put on it and then you sew the side pieces to the center piece making sure you are lining up the side pieces to the center square. does that make since? you just have to sit and think it out sometimes. one day I re-sewed the same block 5 times before I got it right. hope this makes since.

you could try About.com and go into there quilting section they have pretty good instructions..

You know, I'm not sure if I can explain it. The tutorial I tried was so simple. I loved it. I think the trouble is why the triangles don't line up right. I get the first one on ok, trim to 1/4", and press. When I try to get the 2nd triangle on, it's not lined up right or it's overlapping triangle #1 incorrectly. ::sigh:: I don't know.

The triangles have to be sewed on with a specific side next to the square. maybe you are using the wrong side of it? I have done this before and it doesn't work :oops: the same thing happened as what you are describing.

Maybe put a little L or R in the seam line of those triangles, so that it is easier to remember which one goes next to the square (left side of the square or right side.) I have done this before, to make assembling them easier :wink:

Do the same with the next set of triangles also, as it would also be easy to get them turned too :D:D:D

I think I'm just going to put it away. Maybe PP isn't for me after all. I really wanted to do that cross quilt, but I just don't think it's going to work. ::pouting:: I think I'll just keep on with my scrap quilt.

Thanks for everyone suggestions.

Place square 1 onto the wrong side of the pattern, leaving a 1/4" overhang between 1 & 2. When you are placing the fabric for triangles 2 & 3 (these are the 5" squares that are cut twice on the diagonal), lay it face up on the back of the pattern where it should go. Make sure the straight of grain will be on the outside of the block. Now flip it over onto square 1.
When you are placing the triangles 4 & 5, do the same thing as before, making sure the 2 straight of grain edges are the outside of the block. Flip over onto square 1/triangle 2.
This should help.

I trade you fabric if you'll put that in tutorial form, using the pattern that I'm working with. ;)

Well, I don't need the fabric, but I did print out the pattern and pulled some scraps to show you how it's done. There are a lot of photos, so let me get them all loaded.

For reference purposes, there are two sides to the paper: the side with the printed pattern (Print side) and the opposite plain side where you put the fabric (Fabric Side).

Cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover #1 and pin it over #1 on the plain side of the fabric. Hold the paper up to a light and look at it. I've deliberately placed a straight edge 1/4 inch over the line into #2. Pin it in place.

Now place fabric #2 RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER on #1, with the edges aligned where #1 overlaps #2.

Now, turn the paper back over, and sew on the paper line between #1 and #1. Set your stitch length to small. It will secure the fabric better and make it easier to tear off the paper later. Start & stop exactly on the end of the line.

Turn the paper over so the fabric side is up, and fold back Fabric #2. Finger press. See how Fabric #2 now covers the pattern #2 when you hold it up to the light?

Now, lay the paper down with the fabric down and the Pattern side up. Place a piece of cardboard (I use a greeting card) or something similar on the line between #1 and #3.

Then FOLD the paper exactly on that line back over the card, leaving the fabric exposed. In the photo my card isn't exactly on the line, but just to show you where it is.

I use an "Add A Quarter Ruler" (but any ruler will do), and trim that fabric 1/4 inch from the fold.

Paper piecing takes a lot of getting used to. When I started, the going back and forth turning the thing to make sure the fabric covered the piece was too frustrating. Then I had to pin the 2 pieces together because they shifted when I turned the pattern over to make sure new piece was large enough, etc., etc.!
The picture tutorial posted is pretty good.! like most things, it takes practice. . .

Do the exact same steps for fabric #3.

Now take your fabric for #4, and lay it right sides together over #1 and #3, with the straight edges lined up where they overlap pattern #4 . I wrote the number 4 on the paper so you could see where the pattern and fabric line up

Turn the paper over and sew on the line between #1-3 & 4.

When you are done, fold fabric #4 back, and finger press.

Now repeat the steps you just did for fabric #4, for fabric #5. They are exactly the same. Finger press the fabric back.

Now turn the whole thing over so that the pattern side is up and the fabric is in the correct place on the bottom. Make sure the fabric isn't wrinkled or folded.

Now take your ruler and trim around the paper pattern EXACTLY on the OUTSIDE lines. The inner lines are your sewing lines. This is where you will sew along to sew the pieces together. I trimmed just a bit outside on some of the lines to show you where to do it.

Leave the paper on and turn your piece over. Voila!!

Leave the paper on until the entire block is together, actually until ALL the blocks are together, then gently tear it off. It will tear easily, because of the short stitch length.

Thanks Sue! Yeah, I do trim all the inside lines first too, but for this one, I thought I'd start out easy. Sometimes it's easier to "get it" if you see it as it goes, so to speak.

Thanks, GaiGai!!! I can't wait to give it a try!!

Great tut gaigai! Thank you :D:D:D

Thanks Amma, but yours is better!

Oh my, I did it!! How cool is that?!! Tutorials ROCK!!! Here is the sample I did. Don't look at the bottom right hand column. lol

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC_1889.jpg[/IMG]

I knew you could do it. What a wonderful tutorial! Aren't they great here?

It looks great! I can't wait to see the finished product!

gaigai,
You did so good explaining and making it clear.
I love that ruler! I've heard of them but hadn't seen one but now that I have I will definitely start looking for one to buy.
Thanks.