How to Quilt>Sewing 8 pointed stars
Sewing an 8-pointed Star Can Be Easy
Now that You Know How Easy it is
to Sew Diamond Quilt Blocks, Here's Where You Can Discover Even More - -

Our sister site, www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com has free quilt block patterns, as well as quilt block patterns for sale, that include full size templates for several different size quilt blocks.
In addition, there are rotary cutting layouts for many of the patterns.
These patterns are easy to use and come in sizes that many quilters like to make - no adjusting required!
The site offers free patterns as well as patterns for purchase.
In addition, every week a different quilt block is featured in a video showing how to sew it together.
You can register for free and download free quilt block patterns and view the Video Archives - www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com
Sign up for our "Understanding Quilt Blocks" newsletter and learn about quilt blocks:
- why you care whether the quilt block is a 4 patch, 5 patch or 9 patch - choose blocks for your quilt that will fit together perfectly
- how the color of the fabrics you choose can change the look of the block completely - choose the colors for your blocks to create the look you want in your quilt
- how to design a quilt - secrets of choosing the right quilt blocks for your original design quilt
- and much, much more
|
Just fill in your information below:
I hate spam! I guarantee that your information won't be used for any other reason of any kind. And, you can unsubscribe at any time. |
|
The most difficult part of sewing stars seems to be getting the center to lay flat. Yet, using some very simple techniques, eight pointed stars can be really easy to sew together.
Not too long ago, I published a tip showing how to trim
the ends of your triangles off so they are easier to match
up. That tip is useful especially if you are sewing half-
square triangles together.
But, if you are sewing diamonds together, trimming the tips from the points of your pieces is not necessary.
Years ago, a quilting teacher pointed out that if you sew the points into pairs so that the final seam is just a straight seam through the center of the star, that you are more likely to have the star lay flat.
Below is a step-by-step discussion showing you how to sew an 8 pointed star together using that process.
In this example, the seams are pressed open. This makes the star lay flatter than if you press the seams to one side. However, if you choose to press your seams to one side, making sure that they all face the same direction around the star will help keep your star flat.
 |
The first step is to pin pairs of your star points together.
Place your diamonds right sides together and put a pin in the side you will sew.
This is especially helpful if the placement of each diamond is critical to the design.
In my case, I wanted every other diamond section to have that blue stripe down the center. |
| |
|
Sew the diamonds together using your 1/4 inch seam allowance. You will have 4 pairs of diamonds.
Press the seam allowances open and then trim off the little pointy tips.
The left pair is before the tips have been trimmed. The one on the right is after the points have been trimmed. |
 |
| |
|
 |
The next step is to take the pairs of diamonds and sew them together.
Place them right sides together and put a pin where you will sew the seam.
Sew the pairs together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. |
|
|
The picture on the right shows the wrong sides of the two halves of the star.
This is after you have sewn the two pairs together and are ready for the final seam.
Press the seam allowances open. Place the two halves right sides together and sew the final center seam. |
 |
| |
|
 |
Stitch your final seam, sewing the two halves together. Press the seam allowances open, and your star will lay flat. |
| |
|
The right side of the center of the finished star made from diamonds.
|
 |
 |
The finished 8 pointed star.
This star measures about 24 inches from the tip of one point to the tip of the point across from it.
The next step is to add triangles and/or squares between the points to finish the shape. |
If you missed the article about cutting the diamonds, check out: Cutting Diamonds with a template
Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
©2009-10, Penny Halgren
Penny is a quilter of more than 28 years who seeks to interest new
quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create
beautiful quilts.
This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter
provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain
intact.