Star of Bethlehem

The eye-catching pattern of the "star of Bethlehem" is not a design for the beginning quilter. Laura Nownes, quilter and author of "Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!," sheds new light on a traditional design.

Materials:

6 different shades of fabrics in a variety of colors*
rotary cutter
ruler
sewing notions
*When choosing fabrics, consider using a wide range of light and dark colors for a distinctive contrast.

Steps:

1. Number the fabrics from one to six and label each on a chart for your reference. Cut 2" wide strips from each of the six fabrics.

2. Arrange three stacks of the strips in the designated groups.

Group 2
fabric #2 -- 2 strips
fabric #3 -- 4 strips
fabric #4 -- 6 strips
fabric #5 -- 8 strips
fabric #6 -- 10 strips
fabric #1 -- 6 strips

Group 3
fabric #3 -- 2 strips
fabric #4 -- 4 strips
fabric #5 -- 6 strips
fabric #6 -- 8 strips
fabric #1 --10 strips
fabric #2 -- 6 strips

4. Sew the strips together, and press all the seams flat in the direction of the first stripe. Place a towel beneath the fabric and apply spray starch on the right side of the fabric when ironing.

5. Place the ruler along the outside line of the fabric on the 45 degree angle. The ruler's edge should meet with the edge right before the seam allowance along the strips. Use the rotary cutter to cut along the ruler's edge.

6. Maintain the 45 degree angle, measure 2" wide, and cut along the ruler. Finish cutting all the strips with the same method.

7. To make the eight-piece diamonds, take a section from group one, two, and three respectively, then reverse the order, adding group three, two and one.

8. Pair the sections together in two's, with the right-sides facing each other, and sew 1/4" seam allowance. Tip: To ensure a consistent seam allowance, sew the desired seam width on a scrap of fabric, pin to the section to be sewn, and use as a guide.

9. The seam should ideally begin and end at the point where the top and bottom strips intersect.

10. Spray the fabric with starch and iron along the length, right-side up, making sure all the seams are pressed in the same direction.

11. Mark the starting and stopping point on the underside of outer background. Do not stitch beyond 1/4".

12. The border larger than needed to maintain a straight line. Lay the background, right-side facing down, on the diamond, and pin the fabrics together through the center of the diamond. Make a mark with a pen at 1/4".

13. Pin the first two diamonds, making sure to pin the entire length of each. Press the seams toward the background.

14. Use the "y-seam" to connect the diamond shapes. Join the center seam between the two diamonds and press the center seam open.

15. Sew the corner square along the outer diamond. Sew two units together at a time in pairs.

16. To connect the center, sew from the edge to the dot, then from the dot down the center. Remember to press the center seam open.