Celestial Star SAL - Month 9 - Center Pieced September 01 2018 1 Comment

It's September! And, it's our very last Color Burst. But fear not, there will be lots more fussy cutting for the Starbursts to come in November and December.  If you are enjoying my fussy cutting and if you are wondering, I've already started on another fussy cutting project for 2019.  Here is the first completed round (Details coming soon!)

THIS MONTH'S TIP:

What do you use to rip out stitches if you have made a mistake piecing?  I do this quite often because, when designing an EPP piece, I often change my mind after sewing pieces together.  I rip out with a pair of German made Gingher embroidery scissors which desperately need to be sharpened after years of cross stitch and embroidery (scissors pictured below). They are not too sharp so as to not cut a hole in the fabric.  But, the very fine tip will grab a stitch and snip that stitch and then gradually pull out successive stitches.  Since many of you do not have a pair of well-used embroidery scissors, there are many seam rippers available.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR MONTH 9 - Center Pieced

This month's Color Burst is named for both the Octagon center which is pieced, and the fact that I intended it to be the centerpiece of the quilt because it is my very favorite.

The exact placement for cutting each motif WITH SEAM ALLOWANCE INCLUDED is outlined below.  Be careful when cutting. CUT ONLY AROUND THE DESIGNATED MOTIF.

Placements have often been selected for you to match motifs, often on both sides of the piece.  When cutting and basting fabrics to papers, PAY ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING: 

(1) The Center Octagon is divided into eight identical Kites and is cut from the Twin Peacock fabric. Notice how the gold centers of red flowers form a small wreath around the center of the Octagon. Be sure the gold flower center is about a quarter inch from the center point of your individual Kites. The blue arch creates a circle for the center Octagon. Cut eight identical pieces.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CUTTING LINE HAS BEEN MARKED WITH MARKER AND FOLD LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN IN PENCIL, TO ILLUSTRATE THE POINT. DO NOT USE MARKER FOR CUTTING LINE AND DO NOT MARK YOUR FOLD LINE.

Here you will see that I have pieced the two halves of the Octagon separately, with all four points matching in the center of each half. 

Now, piece the two halves together. I start sewing at the center of one side, sewing toward the outside edge. Repeat with other side.

(2) The first set of Four-Pointed Stars are cut from the Red Medallion fabric. Be sure to cut the design shape in the area which has a red open space above it. Cut sixteen and sew them together in pairs.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: CUTTING LINE HAS BEEN MARKED WITH MARKER AND FOLD LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN IN PENCIL, TO ILLUSTRATE THE POINT. DO NOT USE MARKER FOR CUTTING LINE AND DO NOT MARK YOUR FOLD LINE.

Attach your sets into an open ring and sew the open ring to the center Octagon. Then close the ring and complete your center.

(3) The Custom Jewel is cut from the Twin Peacock fabric. Notice that it is cut from the identical area that your center Kites were cut, only the Jewel is a larger cut. Leave about 3/8" of the yellow "rays" at the unpointed end of the Jewel. Cut eight.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CUTTING LINE HAS BEEN MARKED WITH MARKER AND FOLD LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN IN PENCIL. DO NOT USE MARKER FOR CUTTING LINE AND DO NOT MARK YOUR FOLD LINE.

(4) The second set of Four-Pointed Stars are cut from the Twin Peacock fabric. Notice how their necks match and form a point when sewn in pairs. Cut eight facing one direction and eight facing the opposite direction. Sew them together in pairs. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: CUTTING LINE HAS BEEN MARKED WITH MARKER AND FOLD LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN IN PENCIL. DO NOT USE MARKER FOR CUTTING LINE AND DO NOT MARK YOUR FOLD LINE.

(5) The Kite is cut from the Red on Red fabric, centering the large "flower" shape. Cut eight.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CUTTING LINE HAS BEEN MARKED WITH MARKER AND FOLD LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN IN PENCIL, TO ILLUSTRATE THE POINT. DO NOT USE MARKER FOR CUTTING LINE AND DO NOT MARK YOUR FOLD LINE. 

(6) Now, put it all together.

(7) Don't forget those striped wings.

Remember to post your progress on Instagram or Facebook using #CelestialStarSAL.  Please post. Wouldn't you love to win one of Jen's terrific prizes?

Next month, October, we will be making the four corners to the quilt.  And in November, we will start the Starbursts which are great fun and will bring out your creative talents.