I would like to go into more detail on some of the things I didn’t have room for in the book. If you have any questions just ask and I will walk you through anything you are having trouble with.

In case you haven't seen the announcement, you can find out more about the e-book here: Star Point Blocks.

There are no stupid questions only lessons you haven't learned yet so please feel free to ask! We all started at the same place not knowing any quilting knowledge!

I will be posting some mini lessons on some of the things in the book. If you haven't seen the book yet you can follow along anyway. However it may make more sense to you if you have read the book.

Please keep in mind this technnique is used for any size block you want to make. I do miniatures so that is what I use to demonstrate with. But you can make a 12" quilt block for a full size quilt. You just need to use a larger template than I use.
If you can't figure out what size template to use I will help you decide what works for what you want to make. Just ask!!!

I am available most of the time. I work at home and am usually here. If I need to be gone I will post that info so you will not have to wait long for an answer. Rhonda




Bear with me as I load these posts. There will be several before I have the whole lesson on here.

Cutting out a square:

When I lay the template on the fabric I make sure that I lay the template on so the dark lines cross where the light center comes to a point. This gives me a ¼” seam allowance above the point.
I use a mini mat so I can turn the mat as I cut.

Next thing I do is to center the bottom corner of the template. I look at the lines on the template and count the lines from the corner back to where the edge of the center is. Just count on one side and then find the same line on the other side. Now center so you have the same number of lines on each side of the bottom point of the template

Place your fingers on the template and hold it firmly in place. It is hard to get it back into the exact same spot so try not to let it move. Don’t let up on the pressure until your block is completely cut out.
As you hold the template down cut along one side with your cutter.
Using your other hand turn the mat so you can cut the next side. I use my thumb to nudge it up and turn it to the right,

Cut the other sides continuing to turn the mat after each cut.

TA DA== the Star Point Block

After the block is cut out- I like to check the corners and trim the square if I need to. Then I sometimes check with a ruler to make sure they are square. After you make these for awhile you will be able to tell when you need to trim or not.

The more accurate you are here the more headaches you will avoid. If you don't take time to check your blocks could go crooked even tho you sew a straight seam. then your pieced top will be way out of whack(yes a technical term! :mrgreen: ) and you won't know what to do to fix it.

There are other places too to make sure you are on target but this is the one place that causes most of the problems.
However be careful not to trim too much. Gently trim any crooked corners to make it square.

Sometimes I like to measure the block to make sure it is square. It is kind of a quality control thing.
The less errors I make at this stage the better off I am when I go to sew blocks together. After you do this a few times you will be able to see when something is off. If you don't just say oh well and you take the time to fix it it will pay off as you sew things together.

When I start seeing blocks tilting to one side when I sew them together then I pick out the seam and look at the block to see if I missed trimming it to square.
That is my first problem solving tip. The first block of any structure needs to be straight so the whole structure will stand up to time.
I have this problem all the time if I get in a hurry so it is not a reflection on your skill it is a decision taken of whether to bother with this step or not. I highly recommend that you take time to trim if need be and to check each block.

Here is the finished Block. I used a 2 1/2" template on this block so you could see it better and to show that you can use any size template. You could use a 4" if you like but the size of the quilt block is determined by the size of your template and the number of blocks you use to make your Quilt Block.

Ok I am done playing now!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

If I can help just let me know!! We are going to play stump the teacher!! LOL Hopefully I can answer any questions you might have!

Remember there are no stupid questions or stupid quilters. We all started at the same place!! Knowing nothing!!!

I just want to help you to understand the process of the cut down method and what it can do for your own quilting. You can look at traditonal quilt blocks and see where you could use my method instead of the traditional piecing method.
Dramatic looks with easy piecing!!!!

Thanks Rhonda! I'm just finishing up my first block, I used 2 1/2" squares to make the block, it's turning out really nice. I was feeling pretty stupid, but you helped me a lot, thanks!

Suzi if you can make things like your avatar and the centers I have seen in the IRR you have no room to feel stupid!!!!
You do good work! It sometimes takes awhile to get the hang of something new. No problem!! Hope you post pics of your Star Point project!
I love to see what colors people use and how they choose to put things together.

I finally got one block finished! I posted it in pictures under "1st Try - Star Points" I don't really like the colors I used so I'm going back to the drawing board and starting a new one, different pattern.

I'm still deciding about purchase of the star point book. I looked at the "lessons" you've posted, Rhonda, and it looks like a lot of waste to cut those angles. Maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about having never looked at the book.

I won't be making miniatures.

Jean

I gave some thought to this as someone else has expressed concern. I sat down last night and figured this out.
If you use a 6 1/2" template you can add an inch and a half and cut out a 9 inch square and then fold it in half so it is triangular. Cut down the fold and you have two triangles and will have alot less waste. The middle section will still need to be rectangular and you will need to cut it the 9" x about 5" to have enough room for the template to fit.

I am going to show how to recycle the leftovers. You can cut larger like I do and have a larger piece to recycle or you can figure out how much is just barely enough and then you will have a little bit of scrap to throw away.( 1/2" to 1" wide).
I like to cut larger because i have another triangular piece leftover from the swatch(not the cut in half triangle) and i use it to make another block. I don't have pics ready to show this yet but I will try to post this tonight or in the morning. We don't throw much away. Yes you will always have some leftovers but there are ways to use them.

This is for those who do want to do miniatures and have asked me how big to cut the swatches. You could use the same method above if you like but this is how we do it.

When I use a 1 1/2" template I cut swatches about 2" x 3" to make my blocks. Then I pull apart the leftovers and turn them to use for the next block.

When Dorothy does these for me she measures and finds the smallest number to cut the swatch. Then she sews and cuts the 1 1/2" blocks and sets the leftovers aside. Then she pulls apart the leftovers and resets them to sew them again and cuts out 1 1/4" blocks. Then she repeats this and cuts out 1" blocks for me.
She does these in an assembly line fashion. I use the 1 1/2" for hotpads and bookmarks and sometimes checkbook covers. The 1 1/4" I use for bookmarks checkbook covers eyeglass cases etc. The 1" I make 3" quilt blocks and keychains and magnets. And I use these 3" blocks in sampler quilt hotpads.

I usually look through a book BEFORE I buy it to be sure there are enough things that I want to make in it to be worth the investment. While I am sure that your templates and method ARE good, the only block than I can envision is a 4 pointed star.

Would this Star Point Blocks method yield any other blocks?

Whoops - I just looked at the OTHER thread Admin posted and see that there ARE other blocks. I'm looking forqard to your othe lessons and will probably buy the book and templates!

thanks - Joanne

Ok here are some pics to show how we recycle the leftovers.

You can always use any scraps for a crazy quilt also or any other of my Blocks.

The first pic is of the joined swatches and the second one is cutting out the block.

Second step cut out the block

Now you can pull apart the leftovers. If you start in the center you should be able to easily pull it apart. If it doesn't come apart easily just use a seam ripper.

Now you have the seam seperated. Do the same to both sides of the center.

You can now trim the pieces to make them ready to reuse them. Look for the longest line you can use( an area on the fabric where you can get the longest place to cut) and lay your ruler on it. Use your cutter and cut a straight edge. Make sure you check to see if the width is wide enough for the template you will be using.

Repeat trimming any scraps big enough to use. Now join the pieces together again just like you did for the 1 1/2". You may have to add another scrap if one of the three scraps needed are too small to reuse.

So now cut out a 1 1/4" square. Then recycle the leftovers again.

Here are the scraps I had left over after cutting a 1 1/2" and a 1 1/4" block.

I took the red and the navy and trimmed them to reuse. Then I added another scrap of the center fabric. The one from the joined fabrics was too small to reuse.

Then I cut out a 1" square from the joined fabrics.

Here is what I made and what scraps I had left. I like to make my swatches larger to begin with so I can make more blocks with the same swatches. Saves time and effort.
As you can see I don't have much left by the time I am done. In my opinion the ease of the process and getting blocks that you did not have to cut each individual piece is worth any scraps that may be left over.

I did have the one blue scrap left and I will reuse later!

Joanne I usually design a quilt block that uses 6 star points across by 6 star points down. I have included in the book alot of my original quilt blocks. I also included ideas for using the Star Point Blocks to make borders for full size quilts and some for billfolds and bookmarks etc.
Did you see what Suzi made and posted? It is a Star Point quilt block. And K3n made one of my quilt blocks into a wall hanging awhile ago. If you search for Rhonda's Star you will see what she did with the quilt block I sent her.
You will learn to make the blocks and then you can use any of the quilt blocks I included or make a bunch of star points and play with the position of them to come up with your own quilt blocks.

Does this help at all? If you wnat specific links for these two let me know and I will look for them.

Thanks Rhonda - and I'll keep looking at your lessons - the pictures + your descriptions REALLY make it clear how to make your star blocks - and I like your tip to start big and use the leftovers to make gradually smaller blocks - if you're into making miniatures.

For those who don't do miniatures you can use the leftovers for other blocks or for a crazy crumb method etc. They can be used to make a strip border also.
When you are using larger blocks you will have larger leftovers. The larger the leftover the easier it is to reuse.

Tomarrow I will post a mini lesson on an alternative way to piece the block with less scrap left if you are using a large template. I'd do it now but I don't have the pics done yet.

LOL We do the 1" block and when I told Dorothy about the comments I got on how small the 1 1/2" was to people she said they need to try making the 1" then they would see what small really is!!! LOL

I doubt very many people would use the 1" template to make my "blocks".

I have the ebook and think it is great. The trouble is I do not know who wide my strips (before joining) should be.
I want to make my finished block 6 1/2"X 6 1/2". Alos what size template should I use for this.
I made myself a 2 1/2"template and my finished block was 4 1/2"which looked great but I want larger finished blocks.
Hope you can help.

What design are you using? How many Star Points are in your design?
I need to know a little more so I can help. From your measurements I am assuming you are making a 4 patch. Four Star points into a star. By finished do you mean after you sew the 4 Star Points together or after you use the quilt block in a quilt?

One thing I do when I am not sure what I need is to cut paper with my templates and sew them together to see what I get. Math wise 3 1/2 + 3 1/2" = 7" but you will lose 1/2" to seam allowance so you would be left with 6 1/2"
I would have to cut two 3 1/2" squares and sew them together to see if that is right but it should be.
Ok I cut and sewed the 3 1/2" blocks and I got the 6 1/2" block. Is this what you are looking for?

Sheila Elaine here:

When I downloaded the first of Rhonda's e-Books, I had forgotten and left card stock in my printer. I had printed off several pages before I realized it, but liked the look and feel much better than when using plain printer paper.

When downloading the SPB e-Book, I decided to use card stock again. Now I have two of her e-Books and plan to put them in a 3 Ring Binder. I'm rough on my patterns and use my books a lot if I really like them, so this is great. I printed all 47 pages on card stock pages. This way, I can use the blank pages to attach a clear pocket to hold the templates I make for the block on the opposite page. (No more lost templates next time I decide to make the block again).

I'd love to see pics of your miniatures and other items made with Rhonda's SPB e-Book.

Happy Quilting.

Ok If you don't want to use the method of recycling I showed above here is another way you could cut the fabric for a star point and not have so much left over.

Trim at least 3/4" from the template. Here I am using a 6 1/2" template.

Cut the square in half. If you need two differant colors you can make two differant squares and use one of each.

Next cut a piece for the center. I cut mine the same length as the two pieces on each side of the center. I cut it 5" wide. Here you see the three pieces ready to sew together.

Now sew the left one to the center and cut the angle

Sew the other side on and cut out the Star Point Block.

Here is the 6 1/2" Star Point block and the leftovers. There will always be leftovers as that is the nature of the cut down method but there are ways to use the leftovers. You will not waste any fabric. I never throw anything away until it is nearly threads. There are always ways to use scraps.
This way of cutting however will have less leftovers than the swatch method. I prefer to have the larger leftovers as I reuse them into more blocks. That way I don't have to sort and cut more fabric. It is already there ready to use. Colors have already been chosen and I can just pick it up and go on sewing.

Ok here is one idea for using the leftovers. I used the three pieces leftover and placed them so they can be sewn in a row. I added another one or two to show the repitition. You can cut more in the same shape and keep adding until you get a long enough row for your border.