Welcome back to the Milky Way Sampler, where we are on the final stretch – just three more blocks to go! If you’re new to this starry sampler quilt, and want to find out more about this foundation paper pieced sampler, you can check out this post for all the info. And if you need to brush up on your foundation paper piecing skills, I’ve got a tutorial for that!
Block 9 for the Milky Way Sampler is Betelgeuse. Pronounced Beetlejuice. And cue all the Beetlejuice movie jokes and references! Betelgeuse is also called Alpha Orionis and is the ninth brightest star in the night sky, and the second brightest star in the constellation Orion.
Download this block for free during September from my Craftsy store.
Betelgeuse
What you’ll need
Betelgeuse pattern – print 4 copies of the template page at ‘Actual Size’ (for a total of 8 template sections)
Paper piecing supplies – read this post for my recommended paper piecing supplies
Pattern notes
- Templates should measure 5 1/2″ along the square side.
- A4 and B4 are the background sections.
- When you have pieced all eight templates, piece each A section to a B section along the diagonal edge.
- Sew the AB units together into pairs, pressing seams in alternate directions so that they nest when you sew the block together.
- Sew the block together and press the seam open.
- Quilt block should measure 10 1/2″ x 10 1/2″.
This is the first of the blocks that have 8 template sections per block. The method for making the block doesn’t change, you just now have a few more pieces to make!
And let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we? My block is not very accurate at all. Because I’m human, it was late in the day on a quilting retreat, and I didn’t have any spare templates to do that section again. I contemplated redoing when I got home, but 1) I’m slightly lazy like that, ha!, but mostly because 2) I wanted to show those of you who battle with seams and foundation paper piecing that even quilters like me who are super comfortable with paper piecing don’t always get it right. And a finished imperfect quilt is better than an unfinished imperfect quilt!!
Block 10 will be out on October 1st (AEST), and this block will no longer then be available for free. Make sure to download it now so that you don’t miss out! You can also sign up for my newsletter so that you don’t miss out on future block announcements.
SHARE YOUR BLOCKS
Looking for how to show off your masterpieces? If you’re on Instagram, use #milkywaysampler and feel free to tag me too – @blossomheartquilts! There’s also a fabulous community happening in the BHQ Facebook group where many people are sewing along to this QAL too.
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