Summer Starburst: A Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop Quilt Block

Summer Starburst Quilt Block is created using foundation paper piecing.  This technique gives you lovely, precise points, resulting in a block with a clean, professional appearance.  If you have never tried this process before, it may sound complex, but I encourage you to give it a try.  Once you have done it a few times, you will develop a rhythm and may even come to love this technique as much as I do!

 

I designed this block in conjunction with the Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop which is a continuation of this Summer’s New Blogger’s Blog Hop.

There are going to be tutorials for more than 60 different brand new blocks over the next four days!  Not only do you get the directions for all of these lovely designs, but there are also several chances to win a bundle of Fabri-Quilt Prairie Cloth Cotton Solids in the Watermelon Summer color palette we have used to make these blocks.  For a chance to win, check out the daily host’s blog.  Links to all of today’s blocks and all of the host’s websites can be found at the end of this post.  I’m excited to see everyone’s creations, and I hope you are too!

Fabri-Quilt generously supplied each blogger involved in this hop a fat eighth of each of the six colors in the Watermelon Summer palette.  The blocks that have been made from the Fabri-Quilt solids are being turned into charity quilts by our generous hosts.  There will be at least three quilts created and donated to children facing challenging circumstances.

Summer Starburst

Finished Size: 12’’ x 12’’ (This block consists of four 6-1/2” square sections and the finished block will be 12-1/2’’ x 12- 1/2’’ before being joined to other blocks or borders)

Preparing the Foundation Paper

Download the PDF foundation paper piecing template to your desktop or folder of your choice.

Quilt Block Designs-Summer Starburst Paper Piecing

The Summer Starburst pattern along with PDF Instructions are also available on Craftsy.

Print one PDF at 100% scale.  There is a one inch square next to the pattern.  Please take a moment to measure all sides of this square to make sure that there are no scale or distortion issues that occurred in the printing process.  After this check, print three more (4 total) foundation papers.  Double check the 1” square on each print to ensure accuracy.

Note: You may print this pattern on standard printer paper or a specialty foundation paper of your choice.

Cutting

To prepare for foundation paper piecing, cut the following size rectangles from the indicated fabrics.  Italicized Colors in parenthesis indicate the color used for block construction in the following tutorial.  Please Note:  By nature, foundation paper piecing involves a certain amount of fabric waste. The rectangle sizes below allow for the easiest construction of this block. It may be possible to save some additional fabric by rough cutting triangle shapes rather than rectangles.  I only suggest this option for experienced foundation paper piecers.

Fabric A (Turquoise):

• Section 1:  Four pieces 3-1/2’’ x 5’’

Fabric B (Aqua):

• Section 2:  Four pieces 3’’ x 7’’

Fabric C (Lapis Blue):

• Section 3:  Four Pieces 2’’ x 7’’
• Section 7:  Four Pieces 3-1/4’’ x 7’’

Fabric D (White):

• Section 4:  Four Pieces 3’’ x 5’’
• Section 6:  Four Pieces  3-1/2’’ x 4’’

Fabric E (Chartreuse):

• Section 5:  Four Pieces 2-1/4’’ x 6’’

Fabric F (Coral):

• Section 8:  Four Pieces  2-1/2’’ x 7-1/4’’

Piecing

This block is foundation paper pieced in four sections which are joined in the final step of block construction.

Step 1:  Rough cut the foundation paper to be approximately 1/4’’ larger on all sides than the outermost printed lines.

Note:  The fabric construction of the paper pieced block occurs on the non-printed side of the pattern.

Step 2:  With the printed side of the pattern facing down, place a piece of fabric A right side up directly over section 1.  (See Figure A)  If desired, you may pin this to the paper.  Hold the paper up to a light source to ensure all of section 1 is covered by the fabric and there is at least 1/4” of extra fabric extending over the section 1 boundary lines into all adjoining areas.

Please Note:  Fabric is placed on the non-printed side of your paper piecing template.  For clarity, the diagrams in this pattern include grey lines that indicate what you would see if the template was held up to a light source.

Note:  When foundation paper piecing, section 1 is the only section that the fabric is placed right side up.

Step 3:  Position the fabric for section 2 wrong side up over the section 1 fabric with a small amount crossing the line between the two sections and the main body of the fabric over section 1. (See Figure B)  Pin both fabrics along the stitching line between sections 1 & 2.  Flip the section 2 fabric along the pin line.  Hold the block up to a light source to see if the fabric will cover all of section two.  Adjust the fabric placement as needed.

Step 4:  When you are happy with the fabric placement, turn the block so the paper is on top.  With the printed side of the paper facing up, carefully machine straight stitch along the line between sections one and two.  I suggest using a small stitch and backstitching at the beginning and end of the stitching line.  You may extend the stitching beyond the line on either end, but it is not required.

Step 5:  Flip the section two fabric toward its finished position to double check that all of section two is covered.  Turn the section two fabric back over section one and fold the paper foundation back along the stitching line.  Trim the excess fabric away from the stitching line leaving about a quarter inch to act as seam allowance.

Step 6:  Carefully press the section two fabric into place over area two.  (See Figure C)

 

Note:  Now you will work around the foundation template in numerical order following steps 2-6 for each section.

Section 3:  Position the section three fabric wrong side up with the main body of the fabric over section two.  (See Figure D)  Use a light source to check the fabric positioning. 

With the printed side of the paper facing up, stitch along the line between sections two and three, trim the seam allowance, and press the section three fabric into place.  (See Figure E)

Section 4:  Position the section four fabric wrong side up with the main body of the fabric over section three.  (See Figure F)  Use a light source to check the fabric positioning. 

Stitch along the line between sections three and four, trim the seam allowance, and press the section four fabric into place.  (See Figure G)

Section 5:  Position the section five fabric wrong side up with the main body of the fabric over sections three and  four.  (See Figure H)  Use a light source to check the fabric positioning. 

Stitch along the line between sections three/four and five, trim the seam allowance, and press the section five fabric into place.  (See Figure I)

Section 6:  Position the section six fabric wrong side up with the main body of the fabric over section five.  (See Figure J)  Use a light source to check the fabric positioning. 

Stitch along the line between sections five and six, trim the seam allowance, and press the section six fabric into place.  (See Figure K)

Section 7:  Position the section seven fabric wrong side up with the main body of the fabric over sections five and six.  (See Figure L)  Use a light source to check the fabric positioning. 

Stitch along the line between sections five/six and seven, trim the seam allowance, and press the section seven fabric into place.  (See Figure M)

Section 8:  Position the section eight fabric wrong side up with the main body of the fabric over sections 1-7.  (See Figure N)  Use a light source to check the fabric positioning. 

Stitch along the line between section 8 and the previous sections, trim the seam allowance, and press the section eight fabric into place.  (See Figure O)

Step 7:  Finish the block segment by pressing it well and using a rotary cutter and ruler to trim the excess paper and fabric along the outermost printed line of the block.  (See Figure P)

Note:  Each block segment will measure 6-1/2’’ x 6-1/2’’ at this stage

Step 8:  This is where you lather, rinse, and repeat steps 1-7 three more times to make a total of four block segments.

Step 9:  Arrange these segments into the block configuration.  (See Figure Q)

Step 10:  Use Wonder Clips or pins to hold two segments together while you sew along the stitching line.  (See Figure R)  Press the seam allowances open.

Step 11:  Sew the two larger sections together and press the seam allowance open to complete the block.  (See Figure S)

Step 12:  If you are creating a quilt consisting entirely of this or other foundation paper pieced blocks you may leave the papers in place until construction is complete.  If you are combining this block with traditionally pieced or appliquéd block or if this block will be used on its own, carefully tear out the foundation papers now.

Here are just a few of the possible layouts that you could achieve with this block:

I really like the effect of this layout.  If you like it too, here is the template for the Mirrored Summer Starburst Block:

Quilt Block Designs-Mirrored Summer Starburst Paper Piecing

Hmm . . . This mini quilt may be in my Mini Quilt Mania future!

Below are links to the rest of today’s original blocks.  I hope you take a moment to discover some lovely new designs!

Today’s wonderful host is Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl.  Remember- she’s hosting a fabric giveaway today!

The rest of today’s blocks can be found on the following blogs:

Kelly @Quilting it Out
Martha @Once a Wingnut
Irene @Patchwork and Pastry
Andrea @The Sewing Fools
Bernie @Needle and Foot
Silvia @A Stranger View
Wanda @Wanda’s Life Sampler
Sandra @Musings of a Menopausal Melon
Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts
Jess @Quilty Habit
Diana @Red Delicious Life
Chelsea @Patch the Giraffe
Margo @Shadow Lane Quilts
Renee @Quilts of a Feather

Tuesday’s Host is Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs

Wednesday will be brought to you by Stephanie of Late Night Quilter

Terri Ann at Childlike Fascination will host the final group on Thursday