Floating Star Block using Tri-Recs ruler
 

Several people were interested in my floating star block. Here are the measurements and directions to make a 12 1/2 inch block. The first picture is of the Tri-Recs ruler set.

You will need to cut 8 Tri-units and 8 pairs of Rec-units. For the Rec-units, cut two layers of fabric at the same time, right sides together, so that you have a left and right piece for each Tri-unit.

I like to oversize my units so that I can trim them precisely. I started with fabric 3 3/4 inches wide.

Floating Star continued
 

The center portion of the block is made up of one 6 1/2 inch square and four 2 1/2 inch squares. Draw a line diagonally across the 2 1/2 inch squares and sew to the corners of the 6 1/2 inch square. Press and trim, forming a snowball block.

Floating Star continued
 

Notice the little notch on the Recs-units? It is very important and makes lining the pieces up very easy. Lay a Recs-unit on a Tri-unit making sure to align that little notch. Sew and press. I have found the best way to get the points to line up in the next step is to press the seams of one unit to the outside and press the seams of its partner to the inside.

Because I oversized my units, they now must be trimmed to 3 1/2 inches square. The point of the triangle should be at the quarter inch mark on the ruler and centered --in this case at 1 3/4 because that is one half of 3 1/2 inches.

Floating Star continued
 

Now it is on to sewing the pieces together. First, take a pair of the Tri-Recs units and snuggle the points together. Stitch. I found that there seemed to be much less bulk if I pressed this seam open. Once all the pairs are sewn together, add a 3 1/2 inch square of background fabric to the top and bottom of two pairs. Sew the other two pairs to the top and bottom of the center snowball block. Then add the two side pieces and that's it--you're done!

thanks for taking the time to share the way to do this

Love these....thank you for the details and the taking the time to share...

Beautiful block! Thanks for sharing!<3

Wonderful, thank you for sharing your tutorial

Just did not look far enough. Found the instructions and can't wait to make the block and will all the scraps I have will definitely be making a whole quilt.

Thanks!! Tutorial breaks it all down so clearly.

Ginger K: Your tute is fantastic! So much detail and clear instructions; what more could we ask! Thanks.

Thanks for a great tutorial. I have those rulers and need to use them!!

I love the colors of both your finished blocks, the one on this page and the other on the Daily Digest. Your tutorial is very easy to follow, and the hint about how to press the opposing TriRecs is spot on. Thank you very much.

Thanks for sharing your great photographed instructions. I have those rulers as well, but haven't used them. Great inspiration!

Have these rulers but haven't used them yet but your tutorial of this block is wonderful. Thank you.

thanks, that is very cute. i think i even have those rulers.

Beautiful block, Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing :)

I like the name for your block. I saw it yesterday on the quilt board. I do not have a tri rec yet but plan to get one when I see one at a show or quilt shop.

Thanks GingerK.....pretty block and great tutorial.

I got mine at Joann Fabrics and since the quilting rulers were 50% off, I got it for a good price. That was several years ago. Now I have to find it to see if I can follow these instructions.

What a cute block. I have had the ruler forever and it is still in the package. Maybe I will get it out now.

Great tutorial Ginger...thank you for taking the time to post and include photos.

That is such a cute block Ginger! I hate making tri recs but this is one block I would be willing to make the sacrifice for. Thanks for your tute.

Oh I can see this done in a scrap quilt! thanks for putting this together.

Thank you.. LOVE the block.

Nice tutorial and cool block! Thanks for sharing!

well i thought i had some of those rulers. can't locate them at the moment. thanks though.

Thank you so much for this. I had never thought that these rulers would be useful until you first posted this tutorial and it so inspired me that I immediately ordered them. I've been using them to make pine trees and as soon as I finish my northwoods quilt I plan to use your excellent tutorial to make a stars quilt.

Very nice block....thank you for taking time to share. :)

Very cool!