This pretty block represents a Poinsettia plant in full bloom. Put four together for a creative table topper.
Poinsettia Star Quilt Block and Pattern
Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.
Fabric Requirements and
Cutting Instructions
- Background: (4) 4-1/2″ squares, (2) 7″ squares
- Jade: (4) 2″ squares
- Pink: (4) 2″ squares
- Red: (1) 5-1/2″ square, (2) 3″ squares
- Purple: (1) 5-1/2″ square
- Gold: (1) 3-3/8″ square
Things you will find helpful:
Quilt-in-a-Day Flying Geese Ruler # CC2007
A 3-1/2″ and a 12-1/2″ Square Ruler
Making the Square-in-a-Square Center
Assemble:
- (1) 3-3/8″ Gold square
- (2) 3″ Red squares
Cut the (2) 3″ × 3″ Red squares on the diagonal to make (4) triangles.
Sew a triangle to opposite sides of a 3-3/8″ Gold square, matching the center of the square with the center of the triangle. Press to the triangle.
Sew a triangle to the remaining two sides of the Red square, matching the center of the square with the center of the triangle. Press to the triangle. Square up the block to 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″, taking care not to cut off the points.
Need help? Visit our tutorial at
https://scrapdash.com/perfect-square-in-a-square-blocks
How to Make 4 Flying Geese Quilt Blocks at once using the Quilt-in-a-Day Ruler
There are many, many ways to make a Flying Goose quilt block. This is just one of them. The overview below shows the Quilt-in-a-Day ruler #CC2007 but it comes in many different sizes.
Instructions are also included with the ruler. Note that you work with much larger pieces until the flying goose unit is completed and then you trim it with a Quilt in a Day Flying Geese ruler.
Start with a square of sky blue fabric 3″ larger than the length of your finished unit. Lay on top of that a square of goose fabric 1 ½” larger than the length of your finished unit, right sides together and roughly centered on the larger square.
Draw a line through the diagonal of both squares. Pin carefully, then sew 1/4″ on either side of the diagonal. Cut on the line.
It’s going to look a little odd. Press to the larger triangle.
Lay your two odd shaped squares on top of each other, right sides together, matching the corners of the smaller triangle with the corners of the larger one. The seams WILL NOT touch each other. It’s okay, really.
Once again, draw a line on the diagonal (crossing the center seam), pin carefully, and sew 1/4″ on either side of the line. Cut on the line.
You should end up with a unit that looks like the one below. Make a small clip in the center of the seam so you can press both sides away from the goose.
Now just cut this unit in half and square it up using the Flying Geese ruler.
You have 4 perfect Flying Geese Blocks!
Making the Flying Geese
Assemble:
- Background: (2) 7″ squares
- Red: (1) 5-1/2″ square
- Purple: (1) 5-1/2″ square
Following the directions above, make (4) Purple/Background Flying Geese blocks and (4) Red/Background Flying Geese Blocks. Press and square up to 2-1/2″ × 4-1/2″.
Making the Corner Blocks
Assemble:
- (4) 4-1/2″ Background squares
- (4) 2″ Jade squares
- (4) 2″ Pink squares.
Step One: Place a Jade square in a corner of a 4-1/2″ Background square, right sides together. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the Jade square, then sew on the line. Press the square to the corner. If it lines up exactly, you can cut off the excess underneath. Press. Make 4.
Step Two: Repeat this process with the Pink squares on the other side. Press.
You need to make (4) of these:
Putting it all Together
Assemble:
- (8) Flying Geese Blocks
- (4) Corner Blocks
- (1) Square-in-a-Square Block
Sew the Flying Geese blocks in (4) groups of 2. Press to the purple.
Sew the blocks in rows as shown below. Because of the way you are pressing your seams, they should just touch each other at the intersections. Use pins to encourage this behavior. Press and square up to 12-1/2″ if necessary.
What can you do with this block? How about a mini quilt for your wall or table? Instructions are in the pattern!
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