Assemble Star Units and Hand-Piecing Tips
You may want to hand-piece the units because so many pieces must be set in. Hand-stitching from dot to dot on seam lines also ensures that seam allowances aren’t sewn down, allowing you to choose the direction to press after you’ve pieced the quilt center.
If you prefer to machine-piece, be sure to start and end at the marked matching points.
As you piece star units, finger-press seams in the desired direction to help keep your work smooth. Trim points to reduce bulk. Press completed units, rows, and quilt center with an iron, pressing seams in directions that allow them to lie as flat as possible or that will enable you to quilt as desired without stitching through seam allowances.
1. Pin together two assorted print A diamonds, carefully aligning and pinning marked matching points (Diagram 1). Sew together between matching points, making sure you do not stitch into the 1/4" seam allowances and do not stretch bias edges, to make a diamond pair.
2. In the same manner, pin and stitch a third assorted print A diamond to one side of the diamond pair to make a star half (Diagram 2).
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make a second star half.
4. Pin together star halves, carefully aligning matching points; join halves to make a Six-Pointed Star unit (Diagram 3). To ensure accurate star centers, stitch from one outer edge to center, then from opposite outer edge to center. With right side down, gently press seams in a counterclockwise direction.
5. Repeat steps 1–4 to make 14 Six-Pointed Star units total.
Hand-Piecing Tips
Needle: Thin needles such as sharps or betweens, are best; choose a size you can thread with ease.
Pins: Use extra-fine pins. Those with large diameters can leave holes in your fabric and distort seaming.
Seam: Sew only on marked lines, beginning and ending at marked matching points.
Stitches: Aim for 1/8" long or eight stitches per inch. Strive for even spacing.
Thread: Sew with a 12” length of thread.
Continued on Page 4: Assemble Rows
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