First you layer 2 squares, one light and one dark, right sides together and stitch completely around with 1/4" seam allowance.
Next, cut diagonally across the layered square twice.
Cut 1
Diagonal cut the other way.
Press open and arrange with the hourglass design in the middle. Do you see the star yet?
Sew together.
Next, be sure you have good light-especially if you are of a certain age!
You then need to cut 2 1/8" on either side of the center seam both horizontally and vertically.
No star yet!
Then you start flipping the blocks around! First turn the corners 180* ( no degree symbol on my iPad so I'll use the asterisk instead).
Then flip the center 90*.
Finally flip the remaining squares 180*.
And there's your star!
Here's the layout.
It's not my favorite color combination but I understand the colors in her home are black, gray and cream. If not, it's still pretty neutral. I still have to add the borders and quilt it before I leave.
So why the extravagant hostess gift? Her home is in China! She is a gal in our golf league whose husband was transferred to Shanghai for 2 years. She's midway through (hopefully) and gets home occasionally but misses the States. A few of us started talking about visiting her last summer and 2 of us are going next week! The next few days will be busy getting ready for the trip but I've traveled enough that I know what I like to pack. I usually like to travel pretty casually but I think I need to take at least one nice thing for dinners out.
Getting late. Another busy day tomorrow including a private paper piecing lesson with a student.
Happy Stitching!
