Star blocks, easy, fast! Help please!
 

Our guild has given us fat quarters to make squares for our Opportunity (raffles are against state laws) Quilt for next quilt show. Only directions are 10 1/2" unfinished, any star pattern we like. I usually make "art" quilts, don't use patterns and am stumped as to how to alter sizes, etc. I have googled, but not sure I am up to doing all those angles! It has to be pieced (paper piecing is ok) not embroidered or appliqued. Any go-to favorite EASY star patterns that would incorporate several colors? No complicated designs, I am not that proficient! Thanks in advance, Linda

I am suspecting you guild wants you do try your hand at drafting a pattern given the 10" size. A mariners compass can easily be drafted to make a 10" finished block but you need to know how to do it. But it is by no means a fast and easy block. I don't find them overly difficult but to draft, then make your PP templates does take some time.

Here are 10" star blocks I found on Quilters Cache. This is just a sampling if you go there and search you will find others.

http://www.quilterscache.com/K/KnightStarBlock.html
http://www.quilterscache.com/N/NewStarBlock.html

http://www.quilterscache.com/M/MalteseStarBlock.html

http://www.quilterscache.com/M/MichelesStarBlock.html

http://www.quilterscache.com/L/Light...tarsBlock.html

www.quilterscache.com go to middle of page drop down menu - quilt blocks galore then the section for blocks 7 -10 inches scroll down to list 10 inch blocks. Here is a link to that page if it works http://quilterscache.com/BlocksbySizeB.html

Here you go. This graphic is for a 12" block but you can adjust it.

ADJUST your cuts as follows:
Plain squares at 4" sq.
Star points at a GENEROUS 2.25" (or 2 & 3/8" if you're willing to).
Trim the finished block to 10 1/2 inches, being careful to allow same amount of float for the points around the whole block. It will probably be very close to this measurement anyway if you have used accurate 1/4" seams.

Jan in VA

I think what Jan has shown you would be the perfect star pattern for you. It is really easy & works up fast. You can use alternating colored fabric for the (2 3/4 squares) snowballing of the background fabric.

PLEASE don't use 2 3/4" sqs. for the points in this size block Use the adjusted 2 1/4" or 2 3/8" cuts for this 10" block. I promise, the larger size will give you no 'cleavage' -- if you know what I mean -- in the points!

Jan in VA

you may want to try Bonnie's maverick stars -- they make scrap star blocks

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/...ick-stars.html

My favorite Star pattern is this one, the points are never cut off, no need to worry about them.

http://store.atkinsondesigns.com/sto...3&Item_Id=1105

10" finished blcoks is unusually for star blocks. If you find a block you like that is the wrong size, just PM and I can post instructions. That is why I LOVE my Electric Quilt program. So easy to resize most blocks.

This is what came to mind for me, too. Great minds...