Crystal Star – August 2021 BOM

The  Second block for August 2021 is the Crystal Star, it was originally posted in the Kansas City Star on June 16, 1934.

This block could easily be done with 12 Half Square Triangles (HST), but we are going to put it together with 4 Flying Geese and a Square-in-a-square.  This will remove extra lines/seams in the blocks.

This block will finish at 12″ x 12″ (12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ unfinished)

Fabric Requirements

• White – 20″ x 12″
• Red – 13″ x 8″

Fabric Cutting

Assembly

Step 1 – Square in Square

Using Pieces A & B

Using 2 pieces of Piece B (white), cut diagonally in half.

Fold Piece A ( 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ red) in half, and finger press, then open and fold the opposite direction and finger press.  This marks the middle of the square for matching the center lines of the triangle.

Match the center point of the Piece B (White) triangle to the fold-line on Piece A.  This will center the triangle on the square.  

Sew 1/4″ seam along the long side of the triangle.

Finger press seams towards outside (large triangle).

Working around Piece A (red), continue to add a Piece B on each side, finger pressing towards outside (Piece B).

When you have added a piece all the way around, press with iron.

Square-up to 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″, making sure to trim from all four sides of the block.   Make sure you still have 1/4″ seam allowance over the points of the center square.  This will reduce the chance that you will lose your points.

Step 2 – No-Waste Flying Geese

Using Pieces C & D

Draw a diagonal line across the back of the smaller squares (Piece D)

Place two Color B on opposite corners of Color A, right sides together, with the lines flowing together, diagonally across the square.

Stitch 1/4″ along both sides of the drawn lines

Cut along the drawn lines

Press Open

Using one piece, place one Color D on the corner, with the diagonal lines flowing into the middle of the triangles.

Stitch 1/4″ on each side of the line

Cut along the drawn line

Press both pieces open.

Repeat the last three steps to create the other two Flying Geese.

Square-up the Flying Geese to be 6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, if you trim make sure that you trim from all sides, and make sure that there is 1/4″ seam allowance above the point.

Step 3 – Assembly

Using Pieces E and the pieces from Step 1 & Step 2

Layout in the following layout.

Sew the 9-patch block together.

Press Seams.

You have now completed the Crystal Star, using Flying Geese, and Square-in-a-square.

I look forward to seeing all your wonderful blocks!  Make sure to post on the Facebook group!  Remember to add the hashtag #CrystalStar.

Click Here for a PDF of the instructions.