Sew 8-pointed Stars! Part 1

Willyne Hammerstein’s Midnight Fireworks is one of the exquisite designs in Millefiori Quilts.

Thanks to Quiltmania, this fabulous design is Inklingo-able now, so I’ve added it to the Main Stars Page on the website.

Midnight Fireworks is based on an 8-pointed star and stars are fascinating. Let’s start with a star review, okay?

 

FUN FACTS ABOUT 8-POINTED STARS

• The diamonds in 8-pointed stars have 45º angles. (The diamonds in 6-pointed stars have 60° angles.)

 

• The star points are equal distance from each other, except when a design uses parallelograms instead of diamonds.

 

• Some 8-pointed star designs include octagons (8 sides), but not hexagons (6 sides).
• Other 8-pointed stars are available on the Main Stars Page too, including LeMoyne Star, Feathered Star, Hunter’s Star, Inklingo Star, and Judy Martin’s Waltzing Matilda.

 

• When you fussy cut all 8 diamonds, it creates a kaleidoscope effect.
• There are TWO great ways to fussy cut diamonds with Inklingo–traditional and No Waste Fussy Cutting.

 

• You may decide to fussy cut only 3, 4 or 6 of the eight 45º diamonds for special effects.
• “Circling the intersection” ensures your stars will look their best. The sewing technique in the video for 6-pointed stars works perfectly for 8-pointed stars too.  (VIDEO on the Main Diamond Page)
• The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns by Jinny Beyer includes a fascinating array of 8-pointed stars (pages 276-308 and 343-347, etc.) This is one of my favorite quilt books. It should be in every quilter’s library. No affiliation, just couldn’t live without it.

• The DVD lesson with the Quilted Diamonds 2 book includes close-up detailed instructions for sewing sequence, continuous stitching, inset seams, many seams converging at the center, and pressing stars. It is like taking a private hand piecing lesson with me.

• When you learn how to sew stars with a running stitch, you can sew anything!

 

• I love stars! In fact, the very first downloadable shape collection in 2008 included everything you need for an 8-pointed star (and many other designs)—diamonds, triangles and squares. These very versatile shapes are a great introduction to Inklingo—and you can download for free! Try printing on fabric before you buy anything.

 

• Many more stars have been requested. You can see them in the free Inklingo Smart Shopper’s Idea Book, under the Support & Goodies tab on the website. (You are on the blog now.)

COMING SOON!

Part 2 about 8-pointed stars will be ready soon too.

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I post a photo or two almost every day on Facebook.

You do NOT have to have a Facebook account to see what I post there if you go directly to
https://www.facebook.com/inklingo

However, Facebook only shows my photos to about 20% of the quilters who have “liked” the Inklingo Facebook Page, so the best way to stay up to date is to subscribe to the blog (top of right sidebar).

If you are on Facebook, please “like” and “comment” and “share” my photos. It makes it more fun for everyone.

 

INTRO SALE PRICE

Willyne Hammerstein’s Midnight Fireworks shape collection is only $20—but only until Wednesday, July 15 at midnight. $25 is great value but $20 is even better.

 

Oh! One more fun fact! Midnight Fireworks is a perfect hand piecing project for summers on the front porch—in daylight, probably not at midnight!

You can subscribe to receive an email when Part 2 is ready (top of right sidebar).

Thank you for visiting! I hope it is a good weekend for sewing stars at your house too.

Linda & Monkey

New to Inklingo? Order and download free shapes and start sewing in the next few minutes. Quick Start (Always FREE.) There are triangles, diamonds, and squares in the free collection—great for dozens of different blocks.

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