January Block of the Month: Star of Hope

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK

January Block of the Month: Star of Hope

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January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK
She’s Our Star 2018 Block of the Month

January: Star of Hope

Introducing the first of six star-based blocks, Star of Hope. This block is originally featured in Nancy Zieman’s own book, No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks and on No-Hassle Triangle Quilt Blocks Part-Two on Sewing With Nancy. Team Nancy Zieman thinks this is a great start to the new year and new block of the month!

Star of Hope combines 1/4-square and 1/2-square triangle units. It is a modified 1/4-square triangle block to create an illusion of traditionally sewn Flying Geese. The 1/2-square blocks at the center create the illusion of a square-in-a-square. The construction couldn’t be easier.FHF FQ4 NancyZieman1

Each month, we will feature one block design made in two color-ways. Both blocks are created using Farmhouse Floral fat quarters(18″ x 22″ fabric rectangles) and background fabrics. Follow along as we demonstrate how to create Block A.

FHF Rectangle NancyZieman


 Block A

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK1

Block B

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK2A

Keep your fabric choices sorted using this handy Fabric Planner diagram. Download the planner HERE. Print two and make notes or pin swatches to remind you of the fabric placements.

January Block of the Month- Star of Hope- Fabric Planner


Choose the Fabrics

For the Star of Hope blocks, select the following fabrics from your Farmhouse Florals fat-quarter bundle and a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 1

 

Cut Fabric for Blocks

Block A: 

  • Cut four 3-1/2″ squares pink Farmhouse Toss fabric.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 2
  • Cut two 3-7/8 ” squares cream Farmhouse Floral fabric.
  • Cut two 3-7/8 ” squares yellow Farmhouse Stripe fabric.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 4
  • Cut two 4-1/4″ squares pink Farmhouse Toss fabric.
  • Cut two 4-1/4″ squares red Farmhouse Shiplap fabric.
  • Cut four 3-7/8″ squares blue Farmhouse Shiplap fabric.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 12

Block B: 

  • Cut four 3-1/2″ squares cream Farmhouse Toss fabric.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK2 1A
  • Cut two 3-7/8″ squares yellow Farmhouse Petals fabric.
  • Cut two 3-7/8″ squares blue Farmhouse Main fabric.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK2 2
  • Cut two 4-1/4″ squares red Farmhouse Shiplap fabric.
  • Cut two 4-1/4″ squares blue Farmhouse Floral fabric.
  • Cut four 3-7/8″ squares pink Farmhouse Stripe fabric.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK2 3


 Construct The Units

All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.

The step-by-step photos illustrate construction of BLOCK A. Block B construction is identical.

Half Square Triangles (HSTs)

  • To create the center of each block: Layer two 3-7/8″ squares on other two 3-7/8″ squares, matching right sides.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 5

  • Mark each block set diagonally from corner to corner, using a fabric marking pen and ruler.
  • For greatest accuracy, use a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge. The left side of the gauge is designed to create the 3-1/2″ HST blocks.
  • Depress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2″ HST icon on the left side of the gauge.
  • Place gauge on the block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with a fine-point, fabric-marking pen.

 

Note From Team Nancy Zieman    The advantage of using the No-Hassle Triangle Gauge is accuracy. It’s easy to double check that the block set fits within the confines of the gauge. If the block set extends beyond or is shorter, trim or cut another block.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 6

Stitch Half-Square Triangle Blocks

  • Attach a 1/4″ Patchwork/Quilting Foot to your machine.
  • Set machine for a straight stitch, 2.0–2.5 mm in length.
  • Align foot along one side of the center marked line; stitch a scant 1/4″ from center marked line. Do not cut the threads.
  • Kiss the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch from one block to the other. (To make them more easily seen, black stitching lines are digitally added in the image below. White coordinating thread was actually used.)
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 7
  • Clip threads between chain stitched blocks. Rotate blocks 180-degrees.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 8

  • Align foot along second side of center marked line; stitch. Clip threads between chain stitched blocks.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 9

  • With a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, cut the blocks apart along centerline markings.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 10

  • Press seam allowances toward the darker fabric.
  • Create a total of four HST units.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 11

Stitch Modified Quarter-Square Triangle Blocks

  • Use two 4-1/4″ squares pink Farmhouse Toss fabric, two 4-1/4″ squares red Farmhouse Shiplap fabric, and four 3-7/8″ squares blue Farmhouse Shiplap fabric to create the first HST units.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 12

 

  • Layer two 4-1/4″ squares on other two 4-1/4″ squares, matching right sides.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 13

  • Mark each block set diagonally from corner to corner, using a fabric marking pen and ruler.
  • For greatest accuracy, use a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge. The RIGHT side of the gauge is designed to create the 3-1/2″ quarter-square blocks.
  • Depress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2″ quarter-square icon on the RIGHT side of the gauge.
  • Place gauge on the block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with a fine-point, fabric-marking pen.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 14
  • Align foot along one side of the center marked line; stitch a scant 1/4″ from center marked line. Do not cut the threads.
  • Kiss the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch from one block to the other.
  • Clip threads between chain stitched blocks. Rotate blocks 180-degrees.
  • Align foot along second side of center marked line; stitch. Clip threads between chain stitched blocks.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 15
  • With a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, cut the blocks apart along centerline markings.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 16

  • Press seam allowances toward the darker fabric.
  • Create a total of four HST units.
  • Trim the HST blocks to 3-7/8″ square.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 17

  •  Layer one 3-7/8″ solid square onto one of the new HST units, matching right sides.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 18

  • Mark each block set diagonally from corner to corner, using a fabric marking pen and ruler.
  • For greatest accuracy, use a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge. The LEFT side of the gauge is designed to create the 3-1/2″ HST blocks.
  • Depress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2″ HST icon on the LEFT side of the gauge.
  • Place gauge on the block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with a fine-point, fabric marking pen.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 19

  • Align foot along one side of the center marked line; stitch a scant 1/4″ from center marked line. Do not cut the threads.
  • Kiss the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch from one block to the other.
  • Clip threads between chain stitched blocks. Rotate blocks 180-degrees.
  • Align foot along second side of center marked line; stitch. Clip threads between chain stitched blocks.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 20
  • With a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, cut the blocks apart along centerline markings.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 21

  • Press seam allowances toward the solid triangle.
  • Create a total of eight modified quarter-square triangle units.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 22


 Construct The Blocks

Arrange the Blocks

  • Use four 3-1/2″ solid square blocks, eight modified quarter-square blocks and four HST blocks  to arrange Block A as shown:

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 23

  • Use four 3-1/2″ solid square blocks, eight modified quarter-square blocks and four HST blocks to arrange Block B as shown:

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman BLOCK2 5

  • Sew units into horizontal rows.

January BoM 2018 NancyZieman 24

  • Press seam allowances of rows one and three to the right.
  • Press seam allowances of rows two and four to the left.
  • Interlock the seam allowances, pin, and sew the rows together.
  • Press.
January BoM 2018 NancyZieman Feat

The No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks book shows exactly how to create this block and 11 others. For best results, use the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge.

How to make 1/2-square triangles by Nancy Zieman

Watch No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.

Happy Sewing,

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC

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24 Comments

  • Mary in MN
    January 20, 2018

    Is there a printer friendly version of this pattern?

    • WIN MADDOX
      January 20, 2018

      Go to the very end of the article…at the end of the signing off, right corner, there is a “print in pdf” link.

  • Terri D'Ambrosio
    January 20, 2018

    I have my Farmhouse Floral fat quarters and have the No-Hassle Triangle Gauge ordered. As soon as I receive the gauge, I will be making this quilt in memory of Nancy. I am so glad that her staff is continuing her legacy. Nancy is surely missed.

    Terri

  • carolyn montgomery
    January 20, 2018

    what is the finished size of the blocks and quilt? love the fabrics in this collection.

  • Chris in Oshkosh
    January 20, 2018

    Same request as Mary – a printer friendly version of the pattern? I did a print preview of this page and it is like 40 pages!

  • Ruthie Peterburg
    January 20, 2018

    Thank you Team Nancy for a new year of BOM’s.
    Warm hugs,
    Ruthie

  • Barbara Lay
    January 20, 2018

    First print was 40 pages. PDF print is 31 pages. Is there any way to print without so many pictures? Sure, saving 9 pages is good. Saving 29 pages is even better. I can always go back to this post to see pictures of the fabric. AND, I already have the gauge.

  • Karen Brennan
    January 20, 2018

    I love these 2 blocks and the name.

  • Jerri Uffelman
    January 20, 2018

    Thank you for continuing Nancy’s legacy… She is missed. 🙂

  • Pat Luers
    January 20, 2018

    The pdf version is 31 pages. In color or b&w that is alot of ink. Especially by project end. Is there a condensed version without all the pictures?
    My computer is not in my sewing room to view this page by page online.

  • Brenda
    January 20, 2018

    I agree about the pages. 31 too many to print out. But for people that have only done simple quilts (like me) they need that. May both versions would be good.
    But I hate to sound dah, but how and what do I use to make
    the 3 7/8 inch squares? All help will be appreciated.

  • Karen
    January 20, 2018

    On the PDF file, one can click on a picture and it will get outlined with circles in the corners…use a corner circle to place your cursor, a diagonal line will appear. While right clicking slide the corner in to make the picture smaller or hit delete and that picture will disappear. By deleting pictures you do not need and making pictures smaller you can reduce the number of pages. You can also delete any sentences you do not need. Good luck.

  • Annie Lindsay
    January 24, 2018

    I ordered the fat quarter bundle for this quilt. When making the half square triangles I like to cut my squares a bit larger (4:25 to 4.5 and 4.78 to 5.25). Will I have enough material in each fat quarter to this. I sew the blocks together and then trim to size. In this way I know I have the exact size required.

    • Jennifer Robinson
      January 25, 2018

      I am of the same school as Annie Lindsay. I like to make my squares a little larger and then trim to size, especially since I am new to the game and still perfecting my quarter inch (and scant quarter inch) seams. I would love to have exact measurements for each step so that I can determine if I am good to go when I put my blocks together. I also chose to make a square in a square for the center block so that I could really get the most from the flower prints. I adapted the size with a quilting calculator, but I was a little off. Any options you can provide would be great. I am trying to learn multiple ways of doing things to see which is the best fit for me. Many thanks for the quilt instructions. I am looking forward to making this quilt in honor of Nancy.

  • Delorse Richards
    January 24, 2018

    The PDF is STILL 31 pages!

  • CMARS
    January 30, 2018

    I reduced the number of pages by saving the blog and then opening it in a word document. I was then able to reduce/shrink the pictures and eliminate the items I did not need.

  • Kathleen De Verville
    February 3, 2018

    Thank you for the January BOM. 2018

  • Mary
    February 5, 2018

    Thanks so much for this BOM. Just ordered my fabrics, can’t wait to get started.

  • TIffany Bowles
    February 7, 2018

    I love the detailed instructions. Thank you! I am a beginner and trying to learn new techniques. So far this is great. I’m really liking what I have put together. I bought different fabric than recommended so mine looks a little different.

  • Helen Glover
    February 16, 2018

    I have the bundle and the gauge and want to begin cutting. Why are there no newer posts than Feb 7? Also, I put a post on and it has disappeared….?? Has the February block been released? I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I like to plan ahead on cutting fat quarters and this would help. Thanks for your response.

  • Helen Glover
    February 17, 2018

    Should all of the blocks measure 3 1/2″ in block A before sewing them together? Mine measure 3 1/2″ and also 3 7/8″ which is what the directions say to square them to. Thanks for your quick response. I am stuck!

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