Summer Sampler 2017: Block 15 – Skipping Star

We’re in the homestretch on Summer Sampler 2017!! This week we’re doing a paper-pieced block called Skipping Star, designed by Faith Jones of Fresh Lemons Quilts.

Like Block 10, Spring Star, this block has a kaleidoscope-style construction, where it’s pieced in wedges. This can be challenging to get the hang of, but if you haven’t done many blocks like this, it’s a good chance to build on the skills you developed making Spring Star! I would recommend revisiting the Spring Star post for my tips on aligning the wedges accurately. All the same things I said about Spring Star apply here too!

One of the nice things about this block, Skipping Star, is that there’s only one seam that needs to line up as you piece the wedges together. (Right where the blue meets the darker purple in my block above.) So as you’re joining your paper-pieced units in Skipping Star, that is where your focus should be. Line up those seams and the rest of the block should come together too.

Should, of course, being the operative word here. : ) On my first attempt at piecing the center of Skipping Star, my points didn’t even come close to touching! So here is my tip if that happens to you: Take all of the paper off (if you haven’t already, then unstitch only in the center, about 1″ to 1.5″ inches in each direction. Leave the rest of the block stitched up, especially if that part looks good! Then realign the center as needed and restitch. My second attempt, when I was concentrating only on the center and had all the paper off, looked good to me, and hopefully yours will as well!

Want to make this block? Click here for all the details! See you next week!