Welcome to this exciting journey as we explore the intricate and mesmerizing Double Star quilt block from the Bee Hive Series! Brought to you by Christa from Christa Quilts, the Double Star block is a beautiful and versatile pattern that shines in both monochrome and colorful designs. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your very own Double Star block.
About the Double Star Block
The Double Star block presents a wonderful balance of stars and diamonds when replicated across a quilt. This secondary pattern provides an additional layer of beauty to the quilt, creating a mesmerizing geometric landscape of shapes. The block incorporates a combination of half square triangles, fast flying geese, and standard squares, making it an exciting project for both novices and experienced quilters alike.
Materials Needed
Let’s begin by preparing the necessary materials:
From White fabric, cut:
- 4 squares, 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″
- 1 square 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″
From Light Grey fabric, cut:
- 8 squares, 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″
From Medium Grey fabric, cut:
- 4 squares, 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″
- 1 square 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″
From Dark Grey fabric, cut:
- 1 square, 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
From Black fabric, cut:
- 8 squares, 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″
Step-by-Step Guide
Making the Fast Flying Geese
- Start with the medium grey and white squares. Lay two medium grey 2 7/8″ squares on opposite corners of one white 5 1/4″ square, with the right sides together. Draw a line down the middle of the grey squares and sew 1/4″ away on either side of the drawn line.
- Cut on the drawn line and open the grey squares outward.
- Now, place another medium grey square on each of the triangle geese units and draw another line. Sew 1/4″ on either side of the marked line and cut along the line. You’ll now have four medium grey/white flying geese units.
- Repeat this process with the small black squares and the larger medium grey squares, to create four black/medium grey flying geese units. Don’t forget to trim off the triangle tips!
Making Half-Square Triangles
- Layer four white 2 7/8″ squares on top of four black 2 7/8″ squares. Draw a line down the middle and sew with 1/4″ seams on each side. Cut apart on the drawn line and press seams open to reveal eight half-square triangles. Trim off the tips and any slivers of excess fabric to create a neat 2.5″ square.
Assembling the Block
- Now, lay out all 25 block units into a 5 x 5 grid following the Double Star pattern. Join each unit into rows and press seams open.
- Finally, join the rows to complete the block and press seams open.
Useful Tips
Creating the Double Star block may present some challenges, especially for beginners. Here are a few tips to help you out:
- Use a scant 1/4″ seam for the flying geese and half-square triangles. This means sewing a thread-width over from the line, or in your case – drawing a line 3/16″ from the center and sewing along that line.
- If you’re not confident in sewing accurate seams, consider increasing the size of the half-square triangle (HST) squares to 3″. This extra wiggle room allows you to trim them down to a neat 2.5″ square after you’ve sewn them.
- Feel free to press your row seams in alternate directions. This enables you to nest your seams when you sew your rows together, helping you maintain as many points as possible in the end product.
Full Pattern: Click Here
There you have it, a comprehensive tutorial on creating the Double Star quilt block from the Bee Hive Series! It might be a bit challenging initially, especially if you’re new to the craft, but remember that every stitch you sew strengthens your skills and brings you closer to perfection.
Quilting is a journey, not a race. Be patient with yourself, and don’t forget to enjoy the process. With practice, patience, and perseverance, you’ll soon be making Double Star blocks with ease and confidence.
As we always say, the path to quilting perfection is paved with practice. So grab your fabric and let’s create beautiful things together!
Happy quilting!
