NO "Y" SEAM BLOCK

I am working on blocks that the traditional piecing method would have "Y" seams involved in the making. I think most of you know that "Y" seams are set in pieces. They seem to intimidate some quilters. A good while back, I purchased "Stars by Magic" which is a book by Nancy Johnson-Srebro. The pictures I am sharing with you today are not meant to be a tutorial. You will need the book for the exact measurements of your pieces and the diagrams to assist you. The blocks are made from squares and rectangles only. No diamonds and no set in seams.
There are charts to assist with the measurements and how many of each piece are needed for one block. One nice thing is that the author gives this information for several different sizes of one block. In the above photo, I have two rectangles of the required size. One is placed cross-wise on the small end of the other rectangle following the diagram in the book.
I use a thin ruler and a pencil to mark a diagonal line. This is like sewing connector corners that so many patterns use. I have my pieces on a sandpaper board to help keep them from slipping.
I then sew on the line and trim away the excess.
This is repeated for the second section.
You end up with two pieces that look like the above photo.
Following the diagram in the book, I place the right piece over the left (right sides together). Sew with a 1/4" seam.
You end up with a piece like the one above.
I repeat the process only diagonal stitching line is in the opposite direction from the first section.

You end up with pieces as pictured above.
Again, the pieces are seamed together.
Background squares are laid on the bottom of these pieces, right sides together, marked and sewn like connector squares. Excess fabric is trimmed off. I did not get a picture of the process. Just the finished section.

Next the large background rectangles are attached to the sides of the diamond sections. You will need the book for layout on these. I had to delete a couple photos when I got my stitching out of order. I got ahead of myself on the piecing and had to use Mr. Ripper for a little job.

The two sections are placed right sides together. The diagram in the book was a little hard to understand but I finally got the idea. You again draw a diagonal mark and sew on the line like as if you were doing a connector corner. You then trim the excess fabric away. This is a fair size section that you are cutting off to discard. That does not bother me but, if you like to save the parts and use them, look at the next picture.
The parts could be laid together in this manner and stitched. I think you would loose most of the very inner section when all is stitched together. You can be creative with the cut-offs.
Finally, I stitch the four quarter sections together to make a whole. I like to press the final seam open though the instructions show to press in one direction. I think it makes for less bulk in that very center point where eight diamonds come together.

My block finishes at ten inches. There are directions for a 6", 10", 11", 12", 16", 17", and 18". There are 30 different blocks with detailed instructions in the book. Then there are some bonus blocks & quilt recipes.
Here is a second star I made. I have to think more on piecing these blocks than if I used one fabric instead of two in the center.

The blocks made using this method of squares & rectangles uses more fabric than if you were cutting the diamonds, triangles, and squares required for a block made in the traditional way. It does make what would be more of a challenge to piece, fairly easy as long as you keep the diagrams beside you when piecing. Not a beginner project but definitely intermediate.
This is what happens when you drop your ruler on a pile of fabric and then step on it. I ordered a new one earlier today and will have to make do with a different ruler until it arrives.

It is a rainy 4th of July here but our lawn says that is good.

Com back for a visit soon!

Karen