October Block of the Month - Diamond Star

The written pattern can be purchased as part of the Classic Sew Easy Block of the Month Pattern and is available in the Shop.

Hello Fall!

It’s October and that means the leaves are changing! I love when the seasons change just as much as everyone else.  In fact, I almost made the block for October a Maple Leaf Block!  But I checked with my testers and we all eventually agreed that the maple leaf block didn’t fit with the rest of the quilt.

 So here we are with the Diamond Star Block!

This one is super easy and sews up very fast! It’s so fast I actually debated about saving it for December because we all know how busy life gets in December.

 

But don’t worry!  We’ll have a good block for the last couple months of the year as well! The cutting instructions for this block are pretty simple.

Cutting Instructions:
Background Fabric:
      (5) 4 1/2″ squares
      (1) 5 1/4″ square

Dark Fabric:
      (2) 5 1/4″ square

Colored Fabric:
      (1) 5 1/4” squares

Start with making the quarter square triangles or QSTs.

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the 5 1/4″ background and colored squares.

 

Place right sides together with the 5 1/4″ dark squares.  Sew a 1/4″ seam on either side of the line.

Carefully cut on the diagonal line.

Press the seams toward the dark fabric.  This will help the triangles nest together in the next step.

 

Now layout the blocks as shown.  Make sure that when you place the HSTs right sides together that the dark fabric is on opposite sides. 

Make sure to place a colored HST right sides together with a background fabric HST.

 

Mark a diagonal line perpendicular – or opposite – of the seam on the HSTs.

Sew a 1/4″ seam on either side of the drawn line.

Cut along the drawn line and press the seams open.

 

 

Now that you have all you Quarter Square Triangles (QSTs), we simply lay out the block! 

Place the 4 1/2″ background fabric squares in the corners and center of the block.  

Place the QSTs with the colored fabric toward the center.

 

Sew everything together with a 1/4″ seam.  I prefer to press my seams open, but you can press as you please!

A Quick Word About Pressing:

Why do I like to press my seams open? Simply because I’m a longarmer!  I like to reduce bulk wherever possible so the machine can glide smoothly over the seams.  I will nest seams and press to the dark side, but I press seams open the majority of the time.

 

Anyhow, now you’re all finished!  I love seeing all the different blocks you sew up, so make sure to post so I can see!

When you’re sharing them online, use the hashtag #seweasybom so I can see all your progress!

 

Can’t wait to see what you make. Happy quilting!!