Tricia's Favorite Quilt Blocks -- Block 9 FRIENDSHIP STAR

We're three-quarters of the way through my Favorite Quilt Block Sampler!  It won't be long until we put all 12 of our blocks together into a fun Sampler Quilt.  If you missed the first 8 blocks, you can find the block links along the left side of my blog.

Friendship has always been an important part of quilting.  I bet you have quilting friends and get together to do all sorts of things together.  Maybe you go on shop hops or to quilt shows, maybe you head to the nearest outlet mall, or maybe you have sewing days together.  Whatever you do, make sure to enjoy spending time with your quilting friends.

Block 9 for my Favorite Quilt Block Sampler is the sweet

Friendship Star 

I like that the Friendship Star block has a lot of variations.  Variations means unending options and design potential.  Here are a few good examples of what I'm talking about.  Both the quilts below alternate with a Nine Patch quilt block.  But that is where the similarities end.  The first quilt is set in straight rows while the second quilt is set on point.  Changing color values/fabric can also make a big impact on your quilt design.

Here's What You Need:

Light:  2 squares 4 7/8" x 4 7/8"

Medium:  4 squares 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Dark:  1 square 4 1/2" x 4 1/2 and 2 squares 4 7/8" x 4 7/8"

Make the Block:

1.  Layer a light 4 7/8" square with a dark 4 7/8" square.  Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner.  Sew 1/4" on both sides of the drawn line.  Cut apart on the drawn line.  Open and press to yield 2 triangle squares.  Make 4 triangle squares.

2.  Assemble block like a Nine Patch with the medium 4 1/2" squares in the corners.  Pay close attention to which way the triangle squares are pointing.

3.  DONE!

Tricia's Favorite Block Tutorials -- Block 8 CHURN DASH

It's time for Block Number 8 in my Favorite Block Tutorials.  I hope that you've been following along and maybe even trying out some of these fun blocks.

Here are the links for the previous 7 blocks if you have missed one:

Block 1

Block 2

Block 3

Block 4

Block 5

Block 6

Block 7

Now that you're all caught up, let's make Block 8 --

Churn Dash

 

The Churn Dash Block is an old favorite of mine.  I have made many quilts using this block.  One of my most interesting ones was called Halloween Dash and was published in Quilter's World Magazine some years ago.

 

Can you see the spiderweb machine quilting motifs in the middle of the big Church Dash blocks?  Aren't they sew cute?

What you need:

Light:  2 squares 4 7/8" x 4 7/8", 1 square 4 1/2" x 4 1/2", and 4 rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Medium/Dark:  2 squares 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" and 4 rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Here's what you do:

1.   Layer a light 4 7/8" square right sides together with a medium/dark 4 7/8" square.  Drawn a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner.  Sew 1/4" away from both sides of the drawn line.  Cut apart on the drawn line.  Open triangle squares and press.  Make 4 triangle squares.

2.  Sew a light 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle long sides together with a medium/dark 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle.  Make 4.

 

3.  Sew the block together like a Nine Patch.

4.  And you're done!