 This block is the first in the 2018 Block of the Month Mystery Star Quilt I am doing over on my Facebook page. I thought it would be great to do a tutorial for each month's block so that my blog readers could benefit as well. Please click HERE to visit my Facebook page. It's not too late to request a spot in my Block of the Month group...we would love to have you join the fun! The Evening Star block is actually a Sawtooth Star variation, and is an easy choice for beginners. It is such a wonderfully classic block, and would be lovely as the theme of a quilt. Since this block goes together quickly, it would be a great choice for a weekend baby quilt! There are so many ways to color your Evening Star... I think you'll have fun working with this pattern. Let's get started!  The above image shows the pieces you will need for one 12" block. All seams are sewn with a 1/4" seam allowance. To make multiple blocks for an entire quilt, simply multiply the pieces by the number of blocks you plan to make in all. For example, if I wanted to make a small quilt with a 3 x 3 block setting (9 blocks in all), I would need the number of pieces per block times nine.  Each block has three main units: a middle unit, four Flying Geese units, and four corner units. Please see the detailed instructions below for sewing the Flying Geese units.  Step 1 -To begin: mark the back of each 3 1/2" square (unit D) with a diagonal line as shown above. I used a Frixion pen to mark my units because the ink will disappear when pressed with a hot steam iron.  Step 2 - Place the first square unit onto the rectangle unit with the right sides together. Notice the placement of the diagonal line in the image above.  Step 3 - Sew from corner to corner on the drawn diagonal line. Use an anchor piece to keep the machine from bunching up at the tip of your corner. It would be good to note here that if you sew slightly to outside of the diagonal line, then your corner will come up short. It's important to sew on the line and not to the outside. Chain stitching works wonderfully for this step if you are planning to sew multiple Flying Geese units.  Step 4 - First, press the stitching in order to set the seam, then trim the corner 1/4" away from the stitching line; finally, press the corner open.  Step 5 - As before, stitch the square unit onto the rectangle with right sides together on the diagonal line. The second block with slightly overlap the first.  Step 6: Set the seam with an iron, trim the second corner 1/4" inch away from the stitching line, and press open. Voila! Now you have a beautiful Flying Geese unit! Now make 4 total units.  Now to assemble and finish the block...  Assemble the top and middle rows by sewing a Flying Geese unit to the corner units of the top and bottom rows; sew a Flying Geese unit to the left and right sides of the middle unit. See diagram above.  Using your iron (I like to use steam), set your seams and press. It is important, for the next step, that you press the outer and middle rows in opposite directions. (See the above image).  Next, pin and sew the top and bottom rows to the middle. Be sure to nest your seams together with the dark seams going in opposite directions. This will give you a nice flat block without bumps. It will also make the whole project easier to machine quilt.  Your block should look like this from the back.  Lastly, trim your block to 12" using a square ruler. All finished! Wasn't that fun and easy? I hope you will try this block using your favorite fabric. I would love to hear from you, so please leave me a question or comment below. Remember, the time you invest in sewing today will find you that much more of an expert at sewing tomorrow!  Click the banner above to join my 2018 Mystery Star Block of the Month group on Facebook! 
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