Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wednesday Sewing - North Star Potholders


I've been working with North Star (or Sawtooth Star) patchwork for a few weeks now and love this pattern!  It's easy to get a really nice looking block - as long as you pay attention to a few simple things like matching the seams and sewing just on top of the point.  You'll see!  The first project I made was a potholder - actually two!.  I had some fabric left over from the 4th of July quilted table mat that was perfect for a coordinated set.  I have another project that I'll have a tutorial for in a bit - it's turning out really well and I'll give you a tiny preview at the end of this post.

Materials:
*Two coordinating fabrics
  Fabric A is the background fabric
  Fabric B is the star fabric
*backing fabric
*1 yard bias tape for each potholder
*fusible felt
*optional - Insul-Brite or other insulating material

1.  For each potholder cut:
  four 1 1/2 x 2 5/8 inch rectangles from Fabric A
  eight 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch squares from Fabric B
  four 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch squares from Fabric A
  one 2 5/8 x 2 5/8 inch square from Fabric A
  two 1 1/2 x 4 7/8 inch rectangles from Fabric B
  two 1 1/2 x 7 inch rectangles from Fabric B
  two 1 1/2 x 7 inch rectangles from Fabric A
  two 1 1/2 x 9 3/8 inch rectangles from Fabric A

2.  Right sides together, place one Fabric B square on one Fabric A small rectangle, matching corners on one end.  Beginning at the point where my finger is, sew from one corner of the square diagonally to the other.  You can crease the fabric with your fingernails or draw a line to help you.  Trim and press open.


3.  With right sides together, place another Fabric B square at the other end of the Fabric A rectangle.  Beginning at the inside corner again, sew from one corner of the square diagonally to the other.  Trim and press open.  You've now made one flying geese rectangle!  Make three more.


4.  Attach two of your flying geese rectangles to opposite sides of the Fabric A large square.  Pin right sides together, matching corners.  Sew in a 1/4 inch seam (use the same seam width throughout) along the long end of the flying geese rectangle, sewing just over the top of the point (where the seam ripper is pointing).  Press open. 



5.  Sew a small Fabric A square to each end of the other two flying geese rectangles.  Press open.


6.  Attach the last two flying geese rectangles to the two open sides of the large Fabric A square, making sure you match the seams.  Press open.


7.  Your block should now look like this!


8.  Sew a shorter Fabric B rectangle onto two opposite sides of the block.  Press open.


9.  Sew the longer rectangles onto the two open sides of the block and press open.


10.  Sew the shorter of the Fabric A rectangles left to opposite sides of your block.  Press open.  Sew the longer rectangles on the two open sides and press open.



11.  Cut a piece of backing fabric, a piece of fusible felt, and an optional piece of Insul-Brite the size of your block.  Fuse the felt to the back of your block, layer the Insul-Brite under this, and the backing on the bottom.  Pin in place.


10.  To quilt, I used what's called "stitch in the ditch."  Some people do this with the quilting foot and/or with the feed dogs down.  That doesn't work well for me, but give it a try on a scrap piece and see how it works for you.  The idea here is to sew exactly in the "ditch" of each seam - put your machine on very slow and it's not too hard to get the hang of.  An alternate quilting method would be to sew just outside each seam in an outline quilting stitch.


11.  When finished quilting, I folded the potholder in quarters and cut a rounded corner.


12.  Apply bias tape (see here for a tutorial) and you have a potholder!  Here's a view of the back.


And a sneak preview of the next North Star project!


Happy Creating!  Deborah

20 comments:

  1. Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [30 Jun 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

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  2. What a wonderful pattern for a potholder. Great tute and a great way to use up small pieces.

    Your preview looks beautiful!! :-) Can't wait to see the whole thing.

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  3. how do you print this pattern? I love it.

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    Replies
    1. You don't need patterns for these pieces - just follow the directions for the measurements given in instruction #1.

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    2. I printed the directions by selecting Print in Microsoft Edge (which is at the top right of your page and looks like ... (three dots). Make sure you select the page range and then print. Came out great!

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  4. *SQUEAL* I am in LOVE! These are adorable!! Saw them on a Facebook ad and clicked through. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. Thank you!!! Copied the instructions and can't wait to get started. Same with me, saw them on Facebook, and couldn't resist. As if I don't have enough projects already! LOL!!! Oh, well, that's what keeps me going. Thanks, again!!!

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  6. i was wondering if i could use leftover precut quilting strips from a jelly roll which are 2.5 wide...or will i get into trouble with things not matching up?

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    Replies
    1. That would work except for the 2 5/8 by 2 5/8 inch square - that quarter inch is needed!

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  7. Ok - while moderating a comment, it somehow got deleted. Face palm. So .... to the person who wondered how big the finished square before putting the binding on should be, it should be 8 5/8 inches square. If yours is turning out differently, check to see that your pieces are the correct sizes and that you are using 1/4 inch seams. When my squares turn out not square, it's because I thought I had measured the individual pieces correctly but hadn't. Hopefully this helps!

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  8. Ok - while moderating a comment, it somehow got deleted. Face palm. So .... to the person who wondered how big the finished square before putting the binding on should be, it should be 8 5/8 inches square. If yours is turning out differently, check to see that your pieces are the correct sizes and that you are using 1/4 inch seams. When my squares turn out not square, it's because I thought I had measured the individual pieces correctly but hadn't. Hopefully this helps!

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  9. Great tutorial... This will be my first attempt at sewing since my sewing partner passed away. We sewed together and worked thru some tuff patterns together. I miss you Dixie

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  10. Recently on FB, I saw the most adorable little gift box ornament that was 2" on all 4 sides and the design was made by folding and pinning fabrics and it was topped with a bow made from a wispy ribbon. I did not save and can't remember where I saw. If anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it. Contact me bglady1@abcglobal.net

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  11. A pattern to print would be nice for future project.

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    Replies
    1. This type of quilting is traditionally just done by measuring and cutting the pieces - usually in a pile with a rotary cutter. But that's interesting to think of using a pattern too ... I'll have to ponder this!

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  12. Think I am going to make some bigger ones to use as mats when I set hot dishes from the oven on the table. Sure will look nicer than a folded up towel under the casserole dish !

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  13. How much of each fabric should I have to make the 2 potholders?

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    Replies
    1. Hmmm .... I used scraps, so I didn't have a yardage measurement, but I'm guessing a couple of fat quarters' worth should do it.

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