Block 3 – Martha Washington’s Star

Standard

Following are the pieces you will need to cut for EACH block:

Neutral

(2) 1 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ rectangles

(2) 1 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ rectangles

(4) 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ squares

(4) 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles

(2) 4″ x 4″ squares

(1) 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ square

Color 1

(8) 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ squares

Color 2

(1) 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ square

MWS 1

Take the Neutral 4 1/2″ square and the Color 2 4 1/2″ square and lay one on top of the other.  Lay your ruler from corner to corner and cut in half diagonally.  Without moving the fabric pieces, cut between the other two corners to make 4 smaller triangles of each fabric.

MWS 2

Lay one neutral and one color 1 triangle next to each other as shown below.

MWS 3

Sew them together on two of the short edges to make a larger triangle.  Do the same with the remaining triangle pieces.  You should have four pieces that look like the picture below.

MWS 4

Cut the 4″ squares in half diagonally once.  Center the pieced triangle on one of the neutral triangles and stitch together.  Trim to make 3 1/2″ squares with the intersection meeting at the 1 3/4″ mark in both directions.

MWS 5

Sew the four blocks together as shown to make a pinwheel block.

MWS 6

Mark all eight of the  3 1/2″ Color 2 squares from corner to corner.

MWS 7

As with the Block 2 you will make four Flying Geese blocks by laying the 3 1/2″ square at the end of the 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangle and stitch just outside of the drawn line.  You should be able to see the distance on this picture.

MWS 8

Cut the excess away.

MWS 9

And press.

MWS 10

Repeat this on the other side of the rectangle.  Make four Flying Geese units and lay all the units out as shown below.

MWS 12

Stitch together and press well.

Add the 1 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ pieces to two opposite sides.  Then add the 1 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ pieces to the other sides to finish the block.

MWS 13

 

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