I would like to start this tutorial by apologizing for not doing this first before I sent out the pattern to so many members. It is with my greatest sincere apologizes that some have had difficulty with this pattern. So hopefully this will better explain the steps I use in making this block. Please be patient with me as I create this tute.

Thank you and again my sincere apologizes,
Sherryl
Candlequilter

This is for the 12" finished Candlequilter Star Block pattern. You will have 2 pages of patterns. Page 1 has units 1 and 2 on it and page 2 will have units 3 and 4 on it. You will need to make four copies of each page. Before you make all four copies you want to make sure that your one inch square scale is really one inch square and not any smaller. If it is smaller you might not get a 12 1/2" unfinished block.

The third picture here shows you what a block will look like.

I then take all four copies of one page and cut the units out using my ruler and rotary cutter. Be sure that you have them stacked straight and evenly as you cut them. I cut just past the dashed lines which will be your seam allowance lines.

I only cut out page 1 units first. I don't cut out page 2 units until I have finished piecing my page 1 units. This keeps me from getting the units mixed up. You can do it however is most comfortable for you.

On the pattern you will notice both numbers and letters. The numbers are the order in which you will sew your fabric. The letters are your fabric guide. For my example I will be using 4 colors: Letter A will be for my middle star points and will be pieced in area 1 on units 1 and 3 as well as area 4 on units 2 and 4. Letter B will be for my center star points or the smallest star. It will be used only in area 2 on units 1 and 3. Letter C is for the largest star points and will be used only in area 1 on units 2 and 4. Letter D will be my background color and will be used in areas 2 and 3 on units 2 and 4. This will all make more sense as you look at the pattern.

To piece unit 1 you will want to have 4 pieces of fabric A cut in a 2 x 6 rectangle and fabric B cut in 2 x 3 1/2 rectangle. Take your first piece of fabric A and put it right side out on the underside of your paper where area 1a is. You want to make sure that it covers the area completely. You can check this by holding the paper up to a window or lighted area to see thru the paper.

This is what it looks like from the back side of the paper before I sew it in place.

I am sewing on the solid line between area 1 and 2. I prefer to use an open toe foot so that I can see the lines better and I also increase the number of stitches to 15 per inch so that when I take off the paper the stitches hold better.

After you sew the 2 pieces together lay it flat when the pieces separated.

Trim around your unit by cutting on the dashed line which should be 1/4 line from your solid sewing line. It is very important to make sure that you have an accurate 1/4 seam allowance here.

I make all four of the Unit 1 pieces before I continue on to Unit 2. This is just my preference but you can do it in any order. I place these 4 to the side and then continue to the next Unit so as not to get any pieces mixed up.

Now I am positioning my first fabric Letter C on the Unit 2. I am using the light to help make sure I have the whole area covered. Once I have the area covered to my satisfaction I use a pin to hold that fabric. Next I will fold on the line between area 1 and 2 so that I can cut my 1/4 seam allowance and this will help me to line up my second fabric (D - background fabric) for area 2.

I am now completing the rest of Unit 2. The fabric sizes are as follows: Letter C is a 4 1/4 x 2 3/4 rectangle, Letter D is a 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 square for area 2 and Letter D for area 3 is 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square.

I am sewing the pieces in order by sewing first on the line between area 1 and 2, then on the line between area 1 and 3 and finally on the line between areas 1 and 4. I trim the seam allowance after I sew each piece in place. This helps to line up the next piece of fabric. I also prefer to press each piece after sewing it on the paper to make sure that it is nice and smooth before I trim my seam allowances.

I am now putting unit 1 and unit 2 together. I place unit 1 on top of unit 2 and line up the upper left edges of both units. Then I place a pin thru the corner of both units. Then I sew from the top of the unit down to that pin. I stop at the pin and with my needle in the down position I raise my presser foot and pivot the bottom unit while holding on to the top unit to line up the rest of the way down the pattern. Sew all the way down to the edge of the pattern.

Here is your unit after sewing units 1 and 2 together. I press the unit to allow it to lay nice and flat. Don't forget to trim off the dog-ear on the right side. Repeat this step to make the other 3 units from page 1.

Next you will repeat all of the above steps by using your page 2 of the pattern. Everything is the same as what you just did.

After repeating all the steps from the page 1 units for your page 2 units you should have 4 units made up of unit 3 and unit 4 sewn together. Next you will sew the 4 units from page 1 to the 4 units from page 2 together.

After you have completed the second set of 4 units you are ready to sew it all together. I start by sewing the top 2 together, then the bottom 2 together. Next I remove a little of the paper from right around the very center of the block, then I sew the last 2 sections together. Remove all paper, press and finish by squaring up your block.

Great tutorial. First of all, love your fabric choices for all your blocks but this one in particular. What a great job you've done on the tutorial - - so diligent in getting it all posted. I've PM'd you for the PP pattern, hope that they are still available.

Thanks so much for drafting this block and putting the tutorial together.

Ok so how did I miss getting this pattern?? How do I go about getting it?

Great Tute!! the block is beautiful!!!!

Can I get a copy of this pattern too??

Anyone interested in getting this pattern just PM me and I will send you the info.

Thanks,
Sherryl
Candlequilter

That's an awesome tut and a georgious pattern. I'm PMing you know.

Candlequilter, you are amazing! This is a wonderful tutorial and I think even I, who am seriously PP challenged, could do it successfully.

It also gives great pointers as to how to succeed in any paper piecing project.

Thank you once again!

Candlequilter thank you for the Tutorial. Once I get back home I will try the block again. Surely this will help me.

Verna2197

Great tutorial Sherryl. THANK YOU!!

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial :D:D:D

Very well presented, Sherryl. I'm thinking YOU should have been the one to teach the PP class at the beach!!

I am anxious to make your pattern, but have a few other deadlines to meet first.

Thanx for the tute :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Can I get a copy of this pattern too??

Very very nice, i'm pming you for the pattern.
thanks from N.Florida

and how do i get this pattern?

OMGosh....thank you!!! I will do mine this weekend and hopefully they will work :D

i would love the pattern, too thanks for the tutorial on how to do. love the pattern, can't wait to try it. thanks

where can I get the pattern for this paper pieced block?

Tour tute was the best I've ever seen. I am a visual learner and "word" directions leave me in the dust! thanks so much.

great tut really appreciate your hard work

Your green and yellow fabric choices are super! The tute is also good.

Wow, if you're sending this pattern out, I LOVE to have it. I'm in AZ :-)

Thank you for a Wonderful tute! Love the pattern, exp. w/ batik fabrics! am PMing for pattern.

Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. I was going to try to work on my star this weekend, but I have never done paper piecing so I am sure without your tutorial I would have been lost.

Sherryl, do I square up the block to 12 inches, or 12 1/2 ? Thanks for your tute.

Sherryl, you did such a great job on your tutorial. I hope to get started on mine this weekend. Bless you, Linda :-D