by Alex Anderson
NOTES TO INSTRUCTORS
Simply Stars provides a terrific format for a four-week class geared to quilters with one year or more of quilting experience. Stars challenge students with unusual piecing situations, and the sampler format allows quilters to create freely with unusual fabric combinations. I like to encourage quilters to work with fabric sets they are unfamiliar with; it's wonderful to see the development and diversity of each class.
SUPPLIES
Required text: Simply Stars: Quilts that Sparkle by Alex Anderson
Fabric: to start, twelve 1/4 yard cuts of fabric of coordinated fabric (additional fabric will be added after the first class)
Sewing machine in working order, iron, extension cord
Sewing notions
Rotary cutter and mat (a mat with a grid works best)
6" x 12" Omnigrid® ruler
spray starch or sizing
Pellon® Fleece to hang your stars on
CLASS FORMAT
Four three-hour classes
CLASS ONE
Introductions: Teacher shares overview of class format.
STARS MADE OF SQUARES AND TRIANGLES
Discussion:
1. Talk about the different ideas of choosing a fabric set.
2. Magic (cutting) numbers that relate to squares and triangles.
3. Lining up the odd shapes as shown in the All-Star Lineup.
Demonstration:
4. Piece a 6" Sawtooth Star.
While piecing, verbally cover the information discussed in Points, Pinning, and Pressing.
Classwork:
5. Help students with fabric choices.
6. Students start piecing Sawtooth Star in class.
Homework: work on stars in Squares and Triangles unit.
CLASS TWO
STARS MADE OF AN ISOSCELES TRIANGLE IN A SQUARE
Discussion:
1. Students display work on walls and discuss any problems or discoveries.
2. Magic (cutting) numbers that relate to the isosceles triangle in a square.
3. Lining up the odd shapes as shown in the All-Star Lineup.
Demonstration:
4. Piece a 12" 54/40 or Fight Star.
Classwork:
5. Students start piecing a 54/40 or Fight Star in class.
Homework: work on stars in isosceles triangles in a square unit.
CLASS THREE
STARS MADE WITH A 45° CUT AND Y SEAM
Discussion:
1. Students display work on walls and discuss any problems or discoveries.
2. Magic (cutting) numbers that relate to 45° diamonds.
Demonstration:
3. Cut the star out, demonstrating how to use a rotary ruler with the 45° angle successfully.
4. Piece a 12" Le Moyne.
Classwork:
5. Students start cutting and piecing a 12" Le Moyne Star in class.
Homework: work on stars in 45°, Y seam unit.
CLASS FOUR
Discussion:
1. Students display work on walls and discuss any problems or discoveries.
2. Discuss layout unit.
3. Discuss quilting and finishing.
4. Critique with class input on how to finish each student's quilt.
5. Piece a 12" Split Le Moyne.
Classwork:
6. Students start cutting and piecing a 12" Split Le Moyne Star in class.
Homework: finish quilt!
