How do I keep the point on my Ohio star after border is on?
 

Good morning! I have been working on Ohio Star blocks this morning and the points are matched in the center, but if I add a border, I am losing my points on the outside. What do I keep doing wrong?
Thanks so much!!
Angie

Sounds like 1 of 2 problems: Either you are sewing with too large of a seam allowance, or your seam allowance beyond the point of the star is too small. How much fabric is there at the point of the star? Can you post a picture?

There should be at least 1/4" of fabric beyond the star points. Trust me, make a star block for practice as many times as it takes to get the 1/4" seam allowance on each point. If you are squaring up your blocks you may be cutting off the 1/4".

This is one of the pieces before squaring up. I am not ending up with any seam allowance on the edges. LOL off for more practicing.[ATTACH=CONFIG]430225[/ATTACH]

Okay now I'm confused. That's not an Ohio star block, and you don't have to worry about seam allowances on that block.

I think that is one of the components of the ohio star block - the pointy units.

That looks good - the center of that unit is matching up nicely. The problem is probably occurring when the side squares are sewn on. That is where the 'right' seam allowance matters.

Sorry for the confusion. Okay, my instructions say to cut two 4 1/2 squares from each star point fabric. Layer the squares rs together and cut through squares diagonally in both directions. Align triangles rs together and stitch on short side. Open and put two of these units together to make one of the squares for the Ohio Star block. But shouldn't I have a seam allowance on the outside of these squares so that when I make up the Ohio Star block I will keep my points? I keep getting the same results every time I sew them LOL

Ah I'd wondered if that was the case. Birdy - when you sew that segment of the block to its neighbors, the points will end up 1/4" from the edge, which will give you your seam allowance for the border.

Yes, thank you. You explained it way clearer than I did :D

So what happens when you sew the side pieces on?

http://mccallsquilting.com/qb/1101_2_asmdiagr.gif

In this example, after you sew the white block to the red and white hourglass, or X, the tip of the red triangle should be 1/4 inch from the top of the block.