Amish Star Remix - Jumbo Blocks Rock #3

Amish Star Remix - Jumbo Blocks Rock #3

I'm back for month 3 of my JUMBO BLOCKS ROCK series!

For some fun in 2021, I picked out (12) traditional style blocks, gave them a modern twist, and then upsized them into 18" blocks. Once a month, I will post the free tutorial for one block here on my blog for everyone to make!

Here is the tutorial for the Maple Star Remix from February in case you missed it. You can go to my Tutorials page to see all the other blocks!

BLOCK 3 - AMISH STAR REMIX

This month I took one of the several versions of the classic Amish Star block and jazzed it up by adding a center diamond and then rearranging some of the corner pieces so there are diagonal strips going out off the edge at the corners. 

 

This is an example of what both blocks would look like in a 72" quilt.

BLOCK #3 TUTORIAL

PATTERN NOTES

  • Please read through all instructions before beginning.
  • Seam allowances are 1/4" unless specified.
  • WOF = Width of Fabric; pattern assumes a minimum of 42"
  • RST = Right Sides Together
  • FQ = Fat Quarter Precut (18" × 21")
  • F8 = Fat Eighth Precut (9" × 21")
  • Press all seams open (or in preferred direction) unless specified.

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

This block pattern uses (4) accent fabrics [FABRIC A] and (1) background fabric [FABRIC B]. Below are the requirements to make ONE 18" BLOCK.

 

NOTE - If you would like to make a SCRAPPY VERSION of this block, just use the exact quantities and sizes of fabric pieces listed below in the cutting directions.

CUTTING DIRECTIONS 

    From FABRIC A1, cut:

    (1) 6½" × 26", subcut:

    • (4) 6½" squares 

     

    From FABRIC A2, cut:

    (1) 4" × 16", subcut:

    • (4) 4" squares 

     

    From FABRIC A3, cut:

    • (1) 7½" square 

     

    From FABRIC A4, cut:

    (1) 4¼" × 8½", subcut:

    • (2) 4¼" squares 

     

    From FABRIC B1, cut the following pieces using either the 1/4 YARD or FAT QUARTER diagrams below:

    • (1) 7½" squares 
    • (1) 4¾" square 
    • (4) 4" squares 
    • (8) 3½" squares 

     

        DIRECTIONS

        PART 1 - MAKING THE CENTER SQUARE IN SQUARE BLOCK

        Using the (4) A4 pieces and the (1) 4¾" Background Color B1 square, you will create a SQUARE IN SQUARE BLOCK by the steps 1-4 below.

        1. Prepare the (2) 4¼" Color A4 squares by cutting them in half diagonally in half to make (4) triangle pieces.

        💡 TIP - Before beginning, fold and iron a small crease in the middle of the (4) triangle pieces and in the middle of each side of the B1 square, as shown by the pink dotted line. Before sewing the triangle pieces to the sides of the square in the steps below, line up the creases. This is an easy way to make sure all pieces are centered.

         

        2. First, align the long side of (1) triangle piece RST to both the left and right edge of the B1 square. Sew together by stitching ¼" away from the edge. Flip and press triangle pieces open, then trim off the very tips of the triangles so they are even with the top and bottom edges of the square. This helps to reduce unnecessary fabric bulk.

        3. Next, align the long side of (1) triangle piece RST to both the top and bottom edge of the square. Sew together by stitching ¼" away from the edge. Flip and press the triangle pieces open.

        4. Trim the block to 6½" square by positioning the ruler so the points of the green diamond are about ¼" away from the edge (see the red markings on the diagram below). 

        💡 TIP - A 6½" square ruler is the easiest tool to use here because you can trim all four sides at once. However, you can use a larger ruler to trim two sides at a time. Before cutting, use your ruler to check where all your diamond points fall. They may not be exactly perfect, but try to center them inside a 6" square area of the ruler the best that you can so you have ¼ seam allowance on the other edge of the point. 

         

         

        PART 2 - MAKING THE CORNER UNITS

        For each corner unit, you will be using (2) 3½" B1 squares to create a triangle on opposite edges of (1) A1 square using the "Stitch and Flip" method.

        5. Before beginning, prepare all (8) 3½" B1 squares by marking a diagonal line on the wrong side of the fabric using a fabric marker.

        6. Pair (1) 3½" B1 square and (1) 6½" A1 square RST as shown below, so the smaller square is on the bottom right corner and the marked line is showing. Stitch on the line, trim 1/4" on the outside of the line, flip triangle over, and press seam open.  

        7. Rotate the block 180º. Repeat the same steps as above on the opposite corner. Pair RST so the small square is on the bottom right corner, stitch, trim, flip triangle over, and press seam open. Trim the CORNER UNIT to 6½" square if needed.

        8. Repeat the STEPS 6-7 to make a total of (4) CORNER UNITS UNITS.  

          

        PART 3 - MAKING THE CENTER EDGE UNITS

        To create the center edge units, you will create TWO different sets of (4) flying geese blocks each using the "No Waste" method. 

        9. Before beginning, prepare all (4) 4" A2 and (4) 4" B1 squares by marking a diagonal line on the wrong side of the fabric using a fabric marker.

         

        10. To create the FIRST set of Flying Geese blocks, you will use (4) 4" B1 squares and (1) 7½" A2 square. Pair the A2 and (2) B1 squares RST as shown below so the 4" squares are in opposite corners with the marked line showing. Stitch a line 1/4" on either side of the diagonal line.  

         

        11. Cut apart on the diagonal. Flip triangles over and press seams open. You will end up with TWO of these partial geese blocks. 

        Note - Pressing the seams open in the back will help the final flying geese unit lay more flat and be less bulky. 

        12. Using ONE of the partial geese blocks from STEP 11, place (1) 4" B1 square RST in the remaining corner and mark a diagonal line across the wrong side. Stitch a line 1/4" on either side of the diagonal line. 

        13. Cut apart on the diagonal. Flip triangles over and press seams open. Trim to 3½" × 6½" rectangles. Repeat with the other partial geese block from step 11 to yield a total of (4) Flying Geese blocks.

        14. To create the SECOND set of Flying Geese blocks, you will use (4) 4" A3 squares and (1) 7½" B1 square. Pair the B1 and (2) A3 squares RST as shown below so the 4" squares are in opposite corners with the marked line showing. Repeat the process in STEPS 10-13 to yield a total of (4) Flying Geese blocks.

         

        15. Next, lay out (1) of each of the TWO different Flying Geese blocks as shown below. Sew together and press seams open.

        16. Repeat STEP 15 to make a total of (4) CENTER EDGE UNITS.  

         

        PART 4 - BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

        17. Lay out the CENTER SQUARE, the (4) CORNER UNITS, and the (4) CENTER EDGE UNITS as shown below.

        18. Sew the (3) units in each row together. Press open.

        19. Sew the (3) rows together. Press open.

         

        20. Your block AMISH STAR REMIX block is now complete! Trim to 18½" square if needed. 

        I decided to quilt this block up with a combination of a square and diagonal grid! It definitely gives this block some nice texture!

        I know I say this every month, but I love how this came out! See you in April for Block #4!

        Until later, happy sewing!

        Jamie 

        Find the other blocks in the #JumboBlocksRock here:

         

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