January is my birthday month. . . in fact, TODAY is my birthday! As I have gotten older I realize that is is better to give than to receive, so I try to do something that will help others. The first couple of years I did things on my own, but I soon realized that if I involved my friends, we could do even more good. The first year my friends got involved, we made 405 pillowcases for the One Million Pillowcase Project for children in foster care. The past two years I have made quilts for my guild to gift to a local charity that helps single moms get back on their feet. With the help of many of you we were able to donate 11 quilts last January.
This year I decided to make quilts for veterans. As a Military Daughter and a Military Mom I appreciate what sacrifices our military makes to protect our country and I also understand the toll it can take on them. I also understand that many of our older veterans were involved in the Vietnam War and were not treated as well as they should have been.
I am collecting blocks to put together into quilts for the vets and I would love it if YOU helped out. I am collecting 12.5″ blocks made in red, white and blue. I have already received 6 in the mail and I have made some, so I am well on the way to getting one quilt done.
I decided that I am going to make at least one star quilt because I just love all star blocks. Although Ohio Stars are my favorite blocks, I am going to focus on Sawtooth Star blocks this month. Here is how I am making them. I don’t always make them with a blue center and red star legs- pretty much anything goes.
Cutting Instructions:
Center- (1) 6.5″ x 6.5″
Star Legs- (4) 4″ x 4″ (on wrong side of fabric, draw a diagonal from one corner across to the other corner)
Triangle between Star Legs (Goose)- (1) 7.25″ x 7.25″
Corners- (4) 3.5″ x 3.5″
Sewing Instructions
Lay two of the Star Leg squares on the large “Goose” square as shown. Pin the smaller squares to the larger squares, so things don’t shift as you sew 1/4″ on either side of the drawn line. Photo 1
Carefully cut on the drawn line. Press toward the smaller triangles.
Lay a marked 4″ square on the triangle, pin, and stitch down each side of the line.
Cut on the marked line and press toward the smaller piece.
Lay out all your pieces.
Sew each row together. Press toward the “plain” squares.
Nest seams as you put the rows together. Press the seams OPEN.
Make more!!!
If you would like to donate the blocks you make, please email me at Kaye@OhKayeQuilting.com with a photo of your blocks and I will give you my address.
Here are some sizes and mock ups of quilts using this block. For Quilts of Valor the Throw or Twin Size will be appropriate.
