We're at the second to the last block of this amazing QAL! Block 11, North Star, is designed by Kathleen McCormick of Kathleen McMusing. She has made instructions for both paper piecing and Tri-Recs rulers, so make sure to visit her page to download the pattern. If you need help paper piecing, you can find my tutorial here.
I started off this block thinking that I'd make the block using paper piecing, but I changed my mind. I was going to make the Half Rectangle Triangles (HRTs) with normal piecing. Please note my photos use the cutting instructions of the paper piecing sizes, so the pieces are larger than necessary. If you choose to use this method, cut your rectangles to 3"x5" to end up with 2-1/2"x4-1/2" HRTs.
First things to note: there are Right HRTs and Left HRTs. They are dependent on the direction you draw the lines on your rectangles to align them. I started with Left HRTs, and I always kept my background fabric on top. My background fabric is the Moda Grunge Red.
Step 1: Mark your diagonal lines. I mark on the front of the print/non-background piece and the back of the background piece. On the print/non-background piece, mark 1/2" from the top left and bottom right corners and draw a line connecting the two. On the background piece, mark 1/2" from the top right and bottom left corners and draw a line connecting the two. Notice that the lines do not go to the corners of the piece.
Step 2: Align your blocks and sew 1/4" on both sides of the marked line. Because you marked on the front of the print/non-background piece, it'll be easier to align the 2 diagonals. Notice that the pieces are off-center from each other. Once you have sewn on either side of the diagonal, cut the piece on the diagonal and press the seams to the background.
Step 3: Trim the HRT to size. Align your ruler so the 1/4"x1/4" mark and the 2-1/4"x4-1/4" mark of the ruler are on the seam line. Trim the two sides of your rectangle and then square up to 2-1/2"x4-1/2". The tip of the pins are indicating the intersection point that needs to be aligned with the seam.
To make the Right HRTs, you'll need to flip the orientation of the drawn line. On the print/non-background piece, mark 1/2" from the top RIGHT and bottom LEFT corners and draw a line connecting the two. On the background piece, mark 1/2" from the top LEFT and bottom RIGHT corners and draw a line connecting the two. Notice that once you align the two the slant is going the opposite direction. Sew 1/4" on either side of the marked line, cut the two apart and press seams to the print/non-background fabric. Pressing your seams this way will help your seams nest.
Trimming the Right HRTs, the ruler will be aligned at the 1/4"x1/4" mark and the 4-1/4"x2-1/4" mark. Trim the two sides of your rectangle and then square up to 2-1/2"x4-1/2".
Ta Da! Now you have completely pieced HRTs in both directions!
Don’t forget to submit your completed block on Kathleen's linky party, the Facebook Group Page, and/or on Instagram with #iwishyouamerryqal to be entered into each block’s prizes! One lucky person will win a Binding Baby from Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs and a PDF pattern of their choice from Jennifer Fulton of The Inquiring Quilter.
The prize entry window goes from 12AM Eastern on November 21, 2017 until 11:59PM Eastern on December 4, 2017.
If you are just now joining us in the QAL, I have a quick links page to catch up on the blocks in this QAL and my associated blog posts. You can also get to that page at any time by clicking the I Wish You a Merry QAL button on the right sidebar.
The sponsors for the grand prize have also been announced. In order to be eligible for the grand prize, you must make a quilt top using all twelve of the QAL blocks by January 16th, 2018. Please note that all patterns are only free until the end of the QAL.
Happy Sewing! I can’t wait to see your blocks!
Be sure to check out all the other hosts!
Abbie @Sparkle On
April @JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca @Pretty Piney
Bobbi @Snowy Days Quilting
Diane @Cwilt
Jennifer @Inquiring Quilter
Karen @Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Laura @Slice of Pi Quilts
Sandy @SandyStar Designs
Sherry @Powered by Quilting (This is Me!)
Vanda @Quilt in Piece
Join me again on Friday for Friday Foto Fun! Link up and share your progress on your own projects!
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