Entwined Star

Hi Quilting Friends,

Welcome back to the “Black & White Delight” Quilt-Along. If you’re just joining us, you may want to have a look at the “Welcome” post to help you catch up.

Today we’ll be making the “Entwined Star”, aka “Swazzy Star” block. When I started this project, we didn’t know the correct name for this block so I decided to call it the “Swazzy Star” and so that’s the name that you’ll see in your pattern. (“Swazzy” is a word that I made up. It is an adjective that means both “swagger” and “jazzy”. Feel free to use “swazzy” to describe the most awesome people or things in your life, if you like! I’m hoping that it will catch on, LOL.)

Here’s what you’ll need for today’s block:

• Fabric pieces from your Block 3 baggie
• Sewing machine (obviously!)
• Iron & ironing board
• Thread
• Scissors for snipping thread
• Pencil
• Rotary cutter & mat
• Ruler(s) I like my little 1″ by 6″ ruler for marking squares
• And my 3.5″ by 12.5″ ruler for cutting
• Beverage & snack(s) for hydration and energy!

Here’s a picture of the fabrics from my Block 3 baggie:

We’ll start out with the larger squares of Fabrics E and F, as shown on page 13, step 3 in the pattern packet. Use the Fabric E and F squares to make 8 HST squares, trimming them to size according to the pattern instructions. If you need a refresher on making HST squares, have a look at the Friendship Star instructions. Sew the HST squares into pairs, as shown in the picture below.

Use your pencil to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the smaller Fabric E and Fabric F squares.

Now grab the four rectangles of Fabric B. Place a Fabric E square on the lower right corner of the rectangle, right sides together, aligning the edges. Sew along the diagonal line, and then trim outside the stitching to leave 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat with the other 3 rectangles.

Add a Fabric F square to the lower left side of each rectangle, as described above. Your finished pieces should look like this:

Now sew a pair of HST squares to the bottom of each of these pieces, like this! Be careful to line up the seams at the center of each piece. We’ll call this unit the “side” for future reference.

Sew a “side” section to the sides of a Fabric B square, referring to Step 7 on page 14 of the pattern packet. The middle of the block will look like this:

Sew one of the small Fabric E squares to a corner of each of the four Fabric B, referring to Step 8 on page 14 of the pattern packet. Place the squares right sides together, aligning the corners, and then stitch along the diagonal line. Trim outside the stitched line to 1/4″ and press toward the outside edge.

Repeat the previous instructions using the Fabric F squares on the opposite corner, to make four squares that look like this! Let’s call these pieces BEF squares.

Use the large Fabric A and Fabric B squares to make eight HST squares, as described in Step 9 on page 14. They’ll look like this picture:

Sew one HST square to each of the four BEF squares, like this:

Sew one HST square to each of the four 4-patch squares, like this:

Now sew the pieces from the two previous steps together to make the four corners of the Entwined Star block.

Stitch a corner unit to each side of the two remaining block sides, to make the top and bottom of the Entwined Star block.

Finally, sew the top and bottom of the block to the middle of the block to finish your “Entwined Star” block! Isn’t it gorgeous!

If you’d like to purchase the “Entwined Star” block pattern, just click the button!

Time to show off your beautiful “Entwined Star” block! We’d ALL love to see a picture, so snap a photo and post it on Instagram please.

#bwqal_yourname @mspdesignsusa

Next week we’ll sew the “Cross My Heart” block! Until then, may your stitches be straight, your bobbins full, and your seam ripper languishing in the sewing basket.

Happy quilting,

Sharon