Block of the Month

July 1997 - 12" Block

Hidden Star

Fabric

The Hidden Star block uses three different fabrics.

 Fabric A

Fabric B

 One background fabric


Cutting the fabric

This block requires:

 one 4 7/8" x 9 3/4" rectangle of the background fabric
 one 4 7/8" x 9 3/4" rectangle of fabric A
 five 4 1/2" squares of fabric A
 eight 2 1/2" squares of fabric B
 eight 2 1/2" squares of the background fabric


 Piecing the block

 1) Place the two 4 7/8" x 9 3/4" rectangles with right sides together, lightest of the two fabrics on top. Lightly draw a straight line 4 7/8" from the short edge dividing the rectangle in half and forming two squares. Then draw two diagonal lines through the center of the two squares as shown.
 2) Still holding the two rectangles together, sew a 1/4" away from the diagonal line on both sides.

3) Cut the rectangles apart on the drawn lines creating four half square triangle components. Press the seams to the darker fabric. The finished units should measure 4 1/2".
 4) Lightly mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of the eight 2 1/2" squares of fabric B and on the eight 2 1/2" squares of background fabric.
 5) Take one of the 4 1/2" squares of fabric A and one of the 2 1/2" squares of fabric B and place them right sides together with the marked diagonal line placed as shown. Sew on the marked line.

6) Trim 1/4" away from the sewn line and press the seam allowance toward the smaller square. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 three more times for a total of four units.
 7) Using the unit completed in Step 6, take one of the 2 1/2" squares of background fabric and place on the unit as shown, right sides together with the marked diagonal line placed as shown. Sew on the diagonally marked line.

8) Cut 1/4" away from the sewn line. Press the seam toward the background fabric. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 with the three remaining units from Step and three 2 1/2" background squares.
 9) Take the unit completed in Step 8 and one of the remaining 2 1/2" squares in fabric B and place, right sides together with the diagonal line placed as shown. Sew on the diagonal line.

10) Cut 1/4" away from the sewn line as illustrated. Press the seam toward fabric B. Repeat Steps 9 and 10 with the remaining units from Step 8 and the remaining 2 1/2" squares of fabric B.
 11) With the unit completed Step 10, place one of the remaining 2 1/2" squares of background fabric as shown, right sides together. Sew on the diagonal line.

12) Trim 1/4" away from the sewn line as shown. Press seam toward the background fabric. The resulting unit should measure 4 1/2" square. Repeat Steps 11 and 12 with the remaining units from Step 10 and the remaining 2 1/2" squares of background fabric for a total of four units.
 13) Using one of the units completed in Step 12 and two of the squares made in Step 3, create the top row of the block by piecing the units as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the outer units. Repeat with the two remaining Step 3 blocks and one more of the Step 12 block to create the bottom row of the block.
 14) Using the remaining two units completed in Step 12 and the 4 1/2" square of fabric A piece the center row of the block as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the center fabric A block.
 15) Piece the three rows created in Steps 13 and 14 together as shown to complete the Hidden Star block. The finished block should measure 12 1/2" which includes a 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.
© Susan E Traudt 1997
 World Wide Quilting Page * Block of the Month