CHEVRON STAR...OR NOT
Using the Sirota “No More Tears©” Paper Piecing Method
You'll be paper piecing like a pro by the end of class!
This class is pure FUN! Why? Because we let go of our desire to “control” the outcome. After all, scrappy means using scraps of all different colors and patterns. And just to make it more fun, we will share our scraps with each other if you choose to.
For many of us paper piecing can be a quilting brain-teaser, right? Well if you love paper pieced projects but find the process somewhat “confusing”, then this is the class is for you. You’ll be learning my revolutionary “No More Tears” © method of paper piecing, and although you won’t be finishing the entire project in class, you should have at least one completed 12” x 12” star block and the tools you’ll need to finish your project at home. And it will take half the time you’d expect from paper piecing. Don’t believe me? Well, join the class and find out how!
In this workshop you will learn:
Pattern Preparation
The "No More Tears"© Technique
Proper fabric placement
Block and quilt construction with perfect points
BRING TO CLASS
Your 4 bags of pre-cut fabric (2 paper bags and 2 baggies
Sewing machine with a new needle, thread, bobbin, all-purpose foot and a ¼” foot
Pins,size 7 basting needle, and just in case...seam ripper
Rotary cutter (with a new blade)
6" x 12" ruler
Cutting mat -9' x 12" is fine
Highlighter (any color)
Add-a-Quarter ruler – optional (18"available for sale in class for $12)
Fabric and Paper scissors
Something to collect your fabric scraps
FABRIC SELECTION
This project is perfect for using up some of your fabric scraps, fat quarters or jelly rolls. The reason this pattern works so well is because the star points are made of alternating lights and darks, two contrasting colors, patterned fabrics, or combinations of each. Two-color stars have a more “contemporary” look, whereas scrappy stars are more “traditional”. The background, however, is very controlled. If you use one fabric for the background, your stars will pop. Use two different fabrics and you’ll get a secondary pinwheel pattern. Just make sure that your background fabric(s) is in high contrast to your star fabric.
A word about design and fabric selection: Please, keep it simple, and keep in mind that we’re here to learn a new method, and maybe not design the ultimate Chevron Star masterpiece. Ideally, we’re looking for a variety of scraps or two contrasting fabrics* that allow the Chevron Star pattern to shine. The finished project will be simple to construct, yet impactful.
Since practice makes perfect, we want to practice as much as possible during class. If we’re too focused on design, it takes away from our practice time.
* Contrasting fabric means any 2 fabrics that will stand out on their own and make the lines of your quilt top “crisp”. They can be solids, a print and a solid, or 2 small prints that read as solid from a distance. When selecting your fabric, avoid stripes, directional prints, large prints, or 2 prints that share a common color. You designate which of your fabrics are “A” and which are “B”.
CUTTING SPECS
I have arbitrarily chosen the terms "Light" and "Dark" fabric simply to mean contrasting fabrics. So please don't get hung up on whether a fabric is dark or light
Star Point Fabrics
For all nine stars.
Requirements per star are in parentheses in case you wish to make fewer stars
Dark Fabric – 108 2” x 5 ½” rectangles (12 per star) of dark to medium fabrics in assorted colors and patterns. Please avoid neutrals. Put the pieces in a paper bag labeled “Dark Fabric” with your name on the bag, and shake them up to help separate strips of the same fabrics.
Light Fabric – 108 2” x 5 ½” rectangles (12 per star) of light to medium fabrics in assorted colors, again avoiding neutrals. Sometimes the back of a dark fabric is perfect. Put the pieces in a paper bag labeled “Light Fabric” with your name on the bag, and shake them up to help separate strips of the same fabrics.
*Remember, we will be swapping these fabrics in class, so it’s a perfect time to use your “what was I thinking when I bought that?” fabrics😊
However, if the thought of swapping fabrics makes you throw up in your mouth a little, you may opt out of that part of the class and just use your own fabrics.
Background Fabrics - for pinwheel background
You will need 24” (includes a little extra) of both Lighter and Darker Fbarics in colors that are high contrast the the star fabircs. Sometimes a dark and light solid or tone on tone work great .
From both of your background fabrics – (If you want a solid background, then just cut the required number of total strips, squares, and triangles)
Cut four 4 1/2" strips of each color (1 strip of each color per star)
Cut thirty-six 4 1/2" squares(4 per block of each color).
Cut these squares in half diagonally (corner to corner) to create half square triangles.Put the light and dark triangles in separate baggies.
The background fabrics are yours and yours alone.There, now you’ve got some control back😊.
**There is no need to bring an iron.Pressing stations will be set up for you**