July 27, 2010 – Correction to Double Star Block – directions
If you uploaded the directions for the Double Star Block yesterday, you will need to go back and get the corrected directions.
Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
TO make the block you will need to print and make FOUR of each paper-pieced section A and B.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
July 26, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #29 – Double Star Block
Double Star Block - Freedom Star Colors
Double STar Block - Tropical Colors
This week my husband and I will celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary, and I chose the traditional block, Double Star, to honor this event. When colored with greens and salmons for the stars it makes a cute tropical fish block!
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
July 19, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #28 – The Dog Star Block
The Dog Star Block - Freedom Star Colors
Sirius, the “Dog Star” is the brightest star in the night sky. It is located in the constellation Canis Major (big dog). The Ancient Greeks noted that the appearance of Sirius heralded the start of the long, hot and dry summer, and this is where we get the term “the dog days of summer”. This summer has certainly been one of the hottest in recent history, with much of the USA suffering. Here in Washington DC, we have had a record number of over 90 degree days and our plants and lawns are certainly feeling the heat.
So, to beat the heat, this week’s star block is named “The Dog Star Block” It is a variation of the traditional “New Star Block”.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
July 12, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #27 – World Cup Soccer Star Block
World Cup Soccer Star Block #27 - Freedom Star Colors
Like a lot of others, I followed the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament from South Africa this month. I really wanted the USA to win, but it was not to be. I watched many of the matches throughout the month, culminating in yesterday’s final match between Spain and The Netherlands, and I have gained a lot of respect for those fabulous athletes. Some of the hits that they took were quite hard, and yet they continued to play. I also learned a lot about the sport of soccer, I now feel like I know more about the rules, two yellow cards and you’re out! I hope all the young kids playing soccer, will aspire to be good enough for the USA Team in the future.
I chose this block titled “World Without End” and I re-designed it as an easy paper-pieced block. It reminds me of the drawing in the opening credits for the FIFA Cup this year, I see the Soccer player going after the ball with both feet high off the ground.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting! Betty Dietz
World Cup Soccer Star Block #27 - Spanish Team Colors
July 5, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #26 – Fourth of July Star Block
Fourth Of July Star Block
Happy Fourth of July!
I hope everyone is renewed after the long holiday weekend and ready to start on the next 25 Freedom Star Blocks. For this week’s block, I chose an older block that was named July Fourth, originally published in a syndicated column under the name Nancy Page. The column was written by Florence LaGanke Harris between 1920 -1940 (Barbara Brackman – Block Base for EQ)
I have re-designed this block making is easier to piece and sew with rotary cutting techniques. And I have re-colored and re-named the block “The Fourth of July Star Block”.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
June 28, 2010 – Freedom Star Blocks – Summer Vacation Week!
Summer is under way…we have had a week’s worth of 90 degree days, school is finally out after lots of make-up snow days, and many of us will be heading out to the beach. In keeping with the summer vacation spirit, this week we get to take a vacation from the Freedom Star Blocks.
You can take this extra week, to catch up if you are behind, or to start arranging your blocks into pretty quilts. My blocks are going up on the design wall to see what I can create. Look for some photos next week.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
June 21, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #25 – Dad’s Favorite Star Block
Dad's Favorite Star Block
Happy Father’s Day!
We celebrated this Father’s Day this weekend at our vacation home, “Pieceful Cottage” in Wenona MD. My husband and his dad enjoyed a relaxing weekend at the bay. We caught a few crabs, put together a new jigsaw puzzle, watched some TV and ate too much good food.
This week’s block is a variation on a traditional block named Young Man’s Fancy. In honor of all the dads and granddads, this block is named Dad’s Favorite Star.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
June 14, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #24 – Flag Day Star Block
Flag Day Star Block
Today is National Flag Day…Remember to proudly fly the flag today!
Flag Day was made official by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916, but it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day. to find out more history of the US FLAG, visit US Flag.org.
This week’s block is named the Flag Day Star Block and is a modified version of the eight-pointed star block in EQ6.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
June 7, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #23 – Gold Star for Virginia Block
Gold Star for Virginia
A gold star is awarded to everyone who participated in the Quilter’s Unlimited Quilt Show this weekend. Much hard work was done by the show committee and all the volunteers. Many thanks to all the quilters who placed a quilt for display in the show and to all the teachers for sharing their talents with us. A special thanks to all the quilt collectors and vendors who hauled quilts and merchandise into the Expo center in the 85 degree heat on Thursday. And of course, thanks to all quilters who came from near and far to enjoy the beautiful quilts and shop at the vendors mall. We hope you enjoyed Quilt Show 2010.
This week’s Freedom Star Block is a variation of a block named Star of Virginia First published by Wallace’s Farmer, a magazine published from 1874 through the 1950’s in Des Moines (Barbara Brackman’s Block Base for EQ6).
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
May 31, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #22 – Firecracker Star Block
Firecracker Star Block
Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all of our servicemen and women and to all of our veterans. My husband and I are vacationing in Spokane Washington, visiting my sister and her husband. Our daughter is along with us and she was my creative assistant with today’s block.
This week’s Freedom Star Block is a variation of a block named Liberty Star. We rearranged the stripes into chevrons to make a new block that we named Firecracker Star.
It is an easy block to make with paper-piecing techniques.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz