Tutorials

Hexagon Star Flower – No ‘Y’ Seams tutorial

Jun 11, 2014 / 19 Comments

 

Finished Size : 8″ x 9 1/2 “
5″ sided hexagon
The hexagon star flower block has always been one of my favourites. Traditionally pieced with ‘Y’ seams it can be challenging block to make.
Recently, I had the opportunity to demo the Jaybird Quilts rulers. Jaybird has a wonderful collection of patterns that accompany the rulers but I wondered if I could cut and piece some of my favourite blocks that used shapes that had 60 degree angles or part therefore of – equilateral triangles, hexagons, half hexagons and jewels.
To make the block
Requirements:
(F8 and FQ friendly. Many blocks can be made from a bundle of these pre-cuts.)
  • 1 – 1 1/2″ x 22″ strip for centre
  • 2 – 2 1/2″ x 22″ strips of different fabrics for setting triangles
  • 1 – 3 1/2″ x 22″ for star points
Cutting:
Each segment  is made from setting triangles, a jewel and centre triangle. There are 6 segments.
I used the following markings on the mini ruler.
Setting Diamonds
Using the Mini Hex n More ruler cut:
  • 6 equilateral triangles from each 2 1/2″ strips. There is no marking on the ruler to cut at the 2 1/2″ mark so I placed 1/4″ tape under the dashed line. I left the overhanging ‘rabbit ears’ when cutting.

Flip the ruler to make the next cut.
You should have a total of 12 equilateral triangles –  6 of each fabric.
Centre
Cut from the 1 1/2″ strip:
  • 6 equilateral triangles.

 

Star Points
Cut from the 3 1/2″ strip:

 

  • 6 jewels. I fussy cut these pieces. I placed the ruler over the desired pattern repeat and cut a 3 1/2″ strip, centring the feature pattern ( Tour Eiffel ).
Assembly
  • Sew a centre triangle to the base of a jewel. There should be 1/4″ overhang at each end.

 

  • Press open seam. Make 6.

 

  • Add a setting triangle to one side of each jewel. There will be a 1/4″ overhang on each side of the piece.

 

  •  Press seam open and remove ‘rabbit ears’. Make 6.

 

 

  • Repeat for other side. Make 6.
  • Arrange finished units into 3 segments to make a 1/2 hexagon.
  • Sew together, matching seams at intersecting points.

 

 

  • Sew the 2 halves together.

 

I might continue using different fabrics and make a quilt. To make the assembly of a quilt top easier, I would leave the block unfinished in 2 halves, so I could join the rows without using ‘Y’ seams.
I would love to see blocks made with this method and ruler. Use #miniHexnMore on social media.

 

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19 Comments

  • CapitolaQuilter

    Jun 11, 2014 at @ 14:26 Reply

    Wonderful block – maybe I'll finally get around to taking the shrikwrap off my hex and more ruler, ugh, it's been taunting me but I have more ideas than time to sew lately. A scrappy version with the design would be awesome. It looks paper pieced and isn't (happy face).

  • Lynda

    Jun 11, 2014 at @ 16:39 Reply

    I don't have the mini, I have the larger hex n more – I can see that I will be playing around with some fun fabrics and sizing to get the same effect with the larger ruler.

  • Debbie

    Jun 11, 2014 at @ 23:24 Reply

    I have the big version on the hex and more ruler and am doing her "Toes in the Sand" pattern. It is fun and the blocks are so easy. I need to get the mini ruler for smaller blocks. It is a great ruler, really genius.

  • momto1

    Jun 15, 2014 at @ 10:55 Reply

    Holy smokes! I have this ruler, and was wondering what I could do with it, and here you go giving such clear, easy directions. Thank you so much! This simplifies things tremendously.

  • Reva Katz

    Jan 4, 2023 at @ 9:41 Reply

    Thank you for this tutorial – it’s exactly what I was seeking. May I ask you – when you say that to make a big quilt with these hexagons, you would “leave the block unfinished” so they could be added in 2 halves, do you mean you would make only “half hexagons” with 3 of the sections, join those into rows, and then join the rows? Do you think the linear seams running the length of the entire quilt would detract from the “bursts” of the hexagons? My hands have gotten too old to make hexagon quilts the old-fashioned way and your suggestion really captured my imagination. Would I need to do the final quilting in a linear stitch-in-the-ditch if I used your half-hexagon suggestion? Thank you so much and Happy New Year

    • quiltjane

      Jan 22, 2023 at @ 17:26 Reply

      Hi Reva, Happy New Year. Yes, make three segments to make a half hexagon and join rows. You could quilt with any design and not necessarily in the ditch.

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