Summer Star Scrappy Sew Along Step 1

(Star is 72'' x 72'' before borders, 84'' x 84'' with borders shown)

As I mentioned in earlier in this post, I planned to do a Summer Sew Along with OUT the mystery. I asked for feedback about who might be interested. Wowza!! You all really want to sew along with this quilt and you LOVE the idea of it NOT being a mystery. I am so humbled and thankful for all of your enthusiastic support. Really, you guys are the best!

This entire quilt will be made from 2 1/2'' strips. The instructions will be given referring to all strips cut at 2 1/2'' x 18''. If your strips are longer, cut them to 18''. If your strips are shorter, you will need more than the directions call for, but you can still use them! You can even use 2 1/2'' squares. This project is all about using up the scraps!

The star will be made from 9 patches. We will make three kinds of 9 patches.

We will make 48 of the star nine patches.

We will make 60 of the background nine patches

We will make 36 of the split nine patches.

We will use out leftover strips sets and pieces to make the border. I will give you additional options for that later. (Note: I'm sewing along with you, I haven't actually made this quilt yet, so I'm doing this in "real time" along with the rest of you!)

This week we are going to start with the Star 9 patches. Why? Funny you should ask that! We are starting with those because that's what my 2 1/2'' strip bin was bursting with!

Choose or cut 72 strips (2 1/2'' x 18'') from you scrap bin. 

Press them if needed and sew them lengthwise into 24 sets of three.

Cross cut the strip sets into 2 1/2'' segments.  You will get 7 sections from each strip set. This will create more than you need for now, but we will save some of these for the border. I like to create more than I need now, because it will allow more variety for mixing and matching combinations. This will also allow your border sections to use some of the same fabrics as your star and that will look better. See, sometimes I do plan ahead! LOL

Flip the middle section so that the seams will nest on the back. This will make you intersections nice and tidy and will reduce bulk at the corners.

Make 48 of these 9 patch blocks. The blocks will measure 6 1/2''.

I know that's a lot of information. I hope that if you already have your strips cut, or you are using jelly rolls, this will go fairly quickly for you. Don't feel pressure to get them all made, but by making a good start, you can keep following along.

Sharing the fun! I will have a linky party next Sunday for you to post your progress. You can post finished blocks, strips, piles of scraps, whatever you get done is great! We want to encourage each other and enjoy the variety of style, color and combinations that will make each of our star quilts shine in a unique way. If you don't have a blog, just email me a photo and I will be happy to post it for you. I'm looking forward to seeing what's in YOUR scrap bin!

Now go start stripping and sewing!
Diane