BLOCK OF THE MONTH TUTORIAL DEC 2019/JAN 2020

by | 1 Dec 2019 | Uncategorised | 1 comment

BLOCK OF THE MONTH TUTORIAL
December 2019/January 2020

AUSSIE STAR BLOCK and AUSSIE SQUARE BLOCK

We are entering the busiest time of the year with Christmas and New Year.
For many, it means long holidays away, or lazy holidays at home, lots 
of social time with family and friends or just simply chilling out time and 
breaking the routine of normal life.
With this in mind, I’m presenting a two-month BOM Post.
It includes two different blocks.  You may decide to make some of 
each block design or you may decide to make multiples of the one block.
I have chosen a block that the BOM Squad have done previously because
it is a winner block and the other is a simple block that
will showcase an Australia theme.
These blocks will enable the Coffs Harbour Sewing Team
to make many beautiful quilts that meet our 
Recipients’ Requests throughout the year.  
We will also use these blocks to make quilts for 
special purposes that Jan-Maree requires from time to time.

 AUSSIE STAR BLOCK

FABRICS
Any colour combinations can be used
The CENTRE SQUARE OF THE STAR should have some Australian flavour to it
eg. Australian flowers, animals, scenic landscapes or very Australian elements.
Ways to achieve this…
PRINTED DESIGN ON FABRIC
APPLIQUED DESIGNS
MACHINE EMBROIDERED DESIGNS

The BACKGROUND should be in strong contrast with the STAR POINTS

If the STAR POINTS are light, the BACKGROUND should be dark.
If the STAR POINTS are dark, the BACKGROUND should be light.

BACKGROUND FABRICS
Dark colours work well for these blocks and
should be quite plain in appearance.
Suitable fabrics to use…
 plain fabric
subtle tone-on-tone fabric
subtle prints as in the green and gold block above, that add texture
and interest without adding another colour.

STAR POINT FABRICS
They should stand out well!
Suitable fabric to use…
plain fabric eg. homespun
fabrics with texture eg. tone-on-tone
fabrics with subtle prints that add texture

REMEMBER…Contrast is needed between the STAR POINTS and the BACKGROUND

The Tutorial that follows shows a blue and white block, please allocate 
your fabrics as described above for the Aussie Star Block.

Please use only 100% cotton fabric – this is VERY important
¼ inch seam allowance throughout


CUTTING OUT

For background of blocks cut eight 5 ½ x 5 ½ inch squares
For centre of block cut one 5 ½ x 5 ½ inch square
For Star points cut eight 3 x 3 inch squares
BLOCK CONSTRUCTION
Note – I have positioned the Star point square over blue fabric so that it can be seen
On the wrong side of each of the eight Star point squares, draw a line from corner to 
corner and then draw a second line ½ inch from the first line.
On FOUR of the background squares, with right sides together, position a 
Star point square as shown, noticing the shorter drawn line is closer 
to the outside corner.  
Pin as shown and sew along BOTH lines.
Cut between the two lines and put the little pieces aside to be mailed with the finished blocks.

Violet, in the Coffs Harbour Team will make these into bigger blocks,

 joiners and borders for the quilts.

Press the Star point to complete the square.
Position a second Star point square, with right sides together, as shown.
Pin and stitch along both drawn lines.
Cut between the lines as before and press to complete the square.
Lay out the nine squares of the block as shown.
Join the three squares that form the middle row of the block and then 
press the seam allowances into the CENTRE square.
Join the three squares that form an outside row and press the 
seam allowances into the outside squares.  
TIP  pressing seams as suggested, allows the seam allowances to “lock” together at the next stage.
Join the three rows of the block together and press the seam allowances to one side.  
I like to press towards the centre of the block.
And there you have it…
The Star Block
Please don’t trim any uneven edges as ALL blocks will be trimmed to make them
the size needed for each quilt that is designed to meet the Requests of each Recipient.

Please post the off-cut triangles with your blocks and Violet will turn
them into Pinwheel blocks and interesting borders and joiner strips.

AUSSIE SQUARE BLOCK

FABRICS

 Two fabrics are needed for this block
Any colour combinations can be used but colour contrast is needed
between the two fabrics

The CENTRE SQUARE should feature Aussie…
Native Flower or Flowers
Native Animals, Creatures or Fish
Iconic Buildings eg. Opera House
Natural Formations eg. Uluru
Landscape or Seascape Scenes

Ways to achieve this…
PRINTED DESIGN ON FABRIC
APPLIQUED DESIGNS
MACHINE EMBROIDERED DESIGNS

The BORDER fabric colour should contrast well with the Centre Square
It could be…
plain fabric eg. homespun
tone-on-tone print fabric
subtle print on fabric but not adding another colour

Please use only 100% cotton fabric – this is VERY important
¼ inch seam allowance throughout

CUTTING OUT

CENTRE SQUARE
cut 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch

BORDER
cut two pieces 4 x 8 1/2 inch
cut two pieces 4 x 15 1/2 inch

 BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

Join the two shorter pieces to opposite sides of the Centre Square
Press the seam allowances to one side

Join the remaining two pieces to the other sides of the Centre Square
Press the seam allowances to one side

And there you have it…the Aussie Square Block

A  PDF version of these blocks, can be found HERE

Please post blocks to  
Sandy Corry
9 Wendouree Court
North Boambee Valley   NSW   2360

All blocks will be made into quilts for our Aussie Heroes by
the Coffs Harbour Sewing Team. 
Please include your email address and I’ll advise you when they arrive.
Alternatively, visit the Blog on Wednesday afternoons to see what blocks
have been received in the previous week.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF AUSSIE HERO QUILTS
Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Until next time,
Sandy
…in Coffs Harbour

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