Tag Archives: Nine Patch Quilt

Reabsorption Foundation Triangle Stars Tutorial

Reabsorption Foundation Triangle Stars Tutorial.  These are the small star units used in Charm Square Stars “Anikas Quilt”

Charm Square Stars “Anika’s Quilt” Free Pattern

And you may well ask, what is that?  It is pretty much exactly as described.  It is reabsorbing pieces of fabric into a quilt which may have been discarded when making other elements of the quilt.

I started doing this quite a long time ago now.  I would have small units, especially triangles, which where cut away from making other blocks.  Rather than discarding these pieces, or waiting for some other project, why not include them in the current quilt.  So I have used this method continuously since.  The fact that the units are already cut, to me, is a big advantage.

These stars are fun and easy to make.  I am using the cut off triangles from the Charm Square Stars to make the star blocks.  I am using foundation piecing once again as the triangle blocks have been cut on the bias.  Another point is that all the triangles can be used, that is the dark and the light.  The stars can be made with the light triangles on a dark background or the dark triangles on a light background.

Tutorial

Requirements for the Star Block

8 x 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ background squares
1 x 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ centre square

8 x 2 1/2″ x 2/12″ x 3 1/2″ scrap triangle ( this measurement can be approximate.  This is the waste triangle from the Charm Square Stars.

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Assembling the Star Block

Take a background square right side up.  Lay a triangle across the background square right side down and facing the opposite direction direction to how it will end up when folded back.

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Sew across the diagional. Finger press back.
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Take another matching triangle and position and sew to complete the next star point.
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Finger press down.  Don’t worry if the edges don’t line up.  The foundation of the 2 1/2″ square underneath becomes the guide for trimming.  I just trim with scissors.  Once the square is trimmed to match the foundation, the excess fabric under the star points can be cut off.  This is important if you plan to quilt over the stars.  If you plan to only quilt around them, it doesn’t matter, they can be left intact.
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Lay out the blocks like the image in a nine patch configuration, with the plain blocks in the corners.  Pin units then sew together.  Ensure all seams are nested.  Press the block.
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Make eight of these coloured star units for the quilt border.  Then make eight using the light triangles and gingham background squares to make the white / yellow star blocks.
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All the best,
Susie