Star Thistle ~ Cloud 9 New Block Hop

Welcome to the last day of the 2016 Cloud 9 New Block Blog Hop!  If you have been following along, you no doubt have seen some amazing blocks!  If not, you can check out all the beauties on my Pinterest Board!  

A huge thank you to Cloud 9 fabrics for sponsoring this Blog Hop and to Yvonne @Quilting Jet Girl, Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs and Stephanie @Late Night Quilter.  It's always a pleasure to participate in this event and pushing myself to create a new block!

This year I tried something new!  Star Thistle is my first paper pieced design!  You can get the free download with templates at my newly opened Craftsy store!

Let's get started!

STAR THISTLE
12 1/2" UNFINISHED

Template #	Color	Size	Quantity	Subcut
A 1	Pink	3” x 2”	4
A 2 - A 3	Dark Blue	3” x 3”	4	Cut Diagonal
A 4 - A 5	Light Blue	2 1/2” x 3 1/4”	8
B 1	Dark Blue	6 1/2” x 3”	4
B 2 - B 3	Grey	5 1/2” x 9”	4	Cut Diagonal
C 1	Pink	3" x 3 1/2”	4
C 2 - C 3	Grey	2 1/4” x 4 1/2”	8

Print four (4) copies of the template.  (Download template)  Using paper scissors, cut around each section about 1/4” from the outside line.

SECTION A - MAKE 4

Using the cutting chart from above, prepare your fabric for piecing.  

***If you are using a print fabric, the first piece will be face up on the back of the template, all other pieces will be stitched together right sides together.

Starting with Template A, center A1 fabric on the backside of the A1 section.  Using a dab of glue on the first piece is helpful.

Align fabric A2 on fabric A1,  1/4” over the seam line.  Holding the template up to a light source helps.  Note:  a little more than 1/4” is advised.  The seam will be trimmed.

Shorten your stitch length, stitch along the line between A1 and A2, back stitching at the point.   ***I back stitch at points and inside seams when I paper piece.  All other lines are from one side the the other.

Fold the paper back, and trim your seam to 1/4”.  Unfold the paper, flip the fabric open and press.

Repeat steps 4, 5, 6 for the A3 section.

Align fabric A4 on A3 fabric, 1/4” over seam line and stitch from one side the the other.  Trim and press.  Repeat with section A5.

SECTION B - MAKE 4

Center B1 fabric to the backside of the B1 section.  Glue in place.

Align fabric B2 on fabric B1, 1/4” over seam.  This section is a little tricky!  Flip your B2 fabric making sure it covers the template.  Pin in place to avoid shifting.

Stitch along the line between B1 and B2, back stitching at the point.  Fold the paper back, and trim your seam to 1/4”.  Unfold the paper, flip the fabric open and press.

Repeat for section B3

SECTION C - MAKE 4

Center C1 fabric to the backside of the C1 section.  Glue in place.

Align fabric C2 on fabric C1, 1/4” over seam.  Stitch along the line between C1 and C2, back stitching at the point.  Fold the paper back, and trim your seam to 1/4”.  Unfold the paper, flip the fabric open and press.

Repeat for section C3.

TRIM FINISHED TEMPLATE SECTIONS

For one (1) block you will need four (4) of each template.

Trim your templates 1/4” from the dark line around all the templates.  

Your pieces will look like this.  Neat and tidy and ready to assemble!

Join A and B sections, stitch together.  The hope is everything fits together perfectly.  If you are unsure, stitch along the seam using a longer stitch length.  Check alignment and re-stitch using a shorter stitch length.  

After stitching, press seams open.  ***I like to remove the paper in the seam after stitching and before pressing.

Join section C to B, stitch together.  Press seams open.  You will have four (4) blocks like 

this.

Arrange the blocks according to the diagram below.  Stitch blocks together and press seams open.  

 

 

And there you have it!  Your Star Thistle Block is complete!  Carefully remove the paper, this is where tweezers come in handy!

There are Helpful Hints for paper piecing attached to the pattern on Craftsy, along with a color sheet!

I made a table runner using this block and it turned out great...sharing that in a couple days!

There are options in terms of color and layout with this block:

                  

 

Here is the list for today's New Block Blog Hop:

Wednesday, September 14th

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Kathy @Kathys Kwilts and More

Paige @Quilted Blooms

Mary @Strip Quilts Pass it On

Allison @Woodberry Way

Seven @The Concerned Craft

Olusola @Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co.

Ann @Brown Paws Quilting

Jodie @Persimmon + Pear

Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts

Kitty @Night Quilter

Francine @Mochawildchild

Shelley @The Carpenter’s Daughter who Quilts

Jayne @Twiggy and Opal

Geraldine @Living Water Quilter

Velda @GRANNYcanQUILT

Shannon @Shannon Fraser Designs

Lisa @Sunlight In Winter Quilts

Jessica @Quilty Habit

Cassandra @The (not so) Dramatic Life

Deanna @Stitches Quilting

Denise @Craft Traditions

And again, all the blocks can be seen on my Pinterest Board!

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