From Block to Quilt - Making the Columbian Star Quilt Block Into a Wall Hanging

• Light Background: 4 - 2.5" x 24.5" strips, 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
• Dark Blue: 2 - 1.5" x 22.5" strips, 2 - 1.5" x 24.5" strips, 2 - 1.5" x 28.5" strips, 2 - 1.5" x 30.5" strips, and 16 - 2.5" squares
• Additionally, you will need the 8 - 2.5" half square triangle units left over from making the Columbian Star block. If you don't have them, then you'll need 4 Light Background and 4 Dark Blue 3" squares to make the half square triangle units.

Using the eight Light Background 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and the eight Dark Blue 2.5" squares, sew together what I call Half Flying Geese units. 

• Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Dark Blue 2.5" squares.
• Sew a Dark Blue square to the Light Background rectangle along the marked line (top left image). Note the orientation of the marked line. 
• Match the corners of the Dark Blue square and press (second left image).
• Trim the seam allowance (third left image).
• Refold (bottom left image). 
• Repeat for a total of four units.

Repeat the process on the other four rectangles only changing the orientation of the Dark Blue square as shown in the right four images below.

Here is a picture of all eight of the units completed.

• Lay out one of each of the Step 2 units, 2 Half Square Triangle units, and one Light Background 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle as shown in the top row in the picture below.
• Sew the units together.
• Repeat for a total of four pieced strips.
• Press the seam allowances in two of the strips as shown in the third row and two of the strips as shown in the fourth row.

• Lay out the Columbian Star block, four Step 3 pieced strips and four Dark Blue 2.5" squares as shown in the picture below. 
• Sew the units into three rows and press the seam allowances in opposite directions.
• Sew the three rows together and press the seam allowances.
• I pressed my seam allowances away from the Columbian Star block but you can press whichever direction you choose.

Using the Dark Blue 1.5" x 22.5" strips and 1.5" x 24.5" strips apply a narrow border to the Step 4 unit in the same fashion as Step 4. I recommend pressing the seam allowances toward the Dark Blue fabric. (I've run out of room on my design wall to show the whole unit with any detail.)

Sew a Dark Blue 2.5" square to each end of two of the Light Background 2.5" x 24.5 strips. Press the seam allowances away from the Dark Blue fabric as shown in the picture below.

In much the same manner as Steps 4 and 5 above, sew the remaining two Light Background 2.5" x 24.5" strips to opposite sides of the Step 5 unit. Press the seam allowance toward the Light Background fabric. Then sew the Step 6 units to the other two sides and press toward the Light Background fabric.

Using the Dark Blue 1.5" x 28.5" strips and 1.5" x 30.5" strips, repeat Step 5 to finish the quilt.

Here's a picture of the completed small quilt/table topper/wall hanging. It will measure 30" square once it's quilted and bound.

I was so happy to find the light fabric so I could complete a wall hanging using this block! I like the way it turned out - now to just get it quilted!!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. Check out this blog post where I did a similar procedure on 7 different blocks: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/7-orphan-quilt-blocks-reimagined

P.P.S. Check out my patterns I have for sale on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406