Star Light, Star Bright BOM-Block 7

If you are looking for my It's a Garden Party Row Along post and pattern click on the photo below.  My day came so close to my monthly release of our BOM block that I wanted to be sure you could find it. (And if you are a regular reader and did not see it be sure and check it out and get the pattern while it is still free-oh and there is a giveaway too!)

Now on to today's release of our next Star Light Star Bright block...

St Mary's Lake, Glacier NP Montana USA

With the smokey skies our star gazing nights have been pretty limited.  I confess I always get a thrill on a dark night when the Milky Way is visible.  It can just be so stunning.  I have named our 7th block Rigel-another bright star in our night sky.

For some of you there will be a new technique introduced in this block.  I have never really liked sewing triangles.  The bias edge is prone to stretching.  But I do like the technique I am going to demonstrate to you now.  Most of this unit is sewn on the straight edge rather than the bias which is a plus.
For this unit we start with the A and B squares. (The B squares have been cut on the diagonal.)

Line up the corner edges that are the straight of grain and sew along one side.  See how we are avoiding that stretchy bias edge that is our diagonal?

After press we place the second triangle and sew in the same way as before.

I take a moment to trim of those little "tails" that stick out.

Now we lay the C triangle on top of our sewn unit, again matching the straight grain edges and sew along the bias edge.  This is where I slow down as I sew and try not to pull on that bias edge as I guide it through my machine.   It is the stretchiness of that bias edge that can cause trouble, so just take your time with this step.

Once pressed I check my measurement and trim if needed.

That's really all there is to it.  With a little practice you will be sewing these up without any trouble.  I do recommend that you do a couple of scrap versions first so you are comfortable with the process.

The only other tip I have for sewing this block is for when you join the rows together.  I sew with the Flying Geese units on top.  This allows me to watch and make sure that my needle hits at the tip of the triangle.  I tend to use a stiletto to help guide those bulky seams under my needle.  You have heard me say it many times before-slow down as you go over those bulky seams and you will see much straighter results.

I continue to make a block for the baby quilt as well. More fun fussy cutting that bunny fabric for the center square. 

And finally the blocks my pattern testers created.

Jeanet's

Nicola's

Susie's

And now for the pattern.  To get your copy of this month's block click on the link.

PDF Pattern for Block 7

To get all of the blocks in this series click on the link below.

Download Now

Enjoy this month's block and...
Happy Quilting!