There are seven blocks in the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns that are named Evening Star; I chose block 2736a, which first appeared in the Kansas City Star on November 28, 1931. I didn’t find anything interesting on the history of this specific block, but it is located in Chapter 15 of the Encyclopedia, which specializes in the Maltese Cross. A Maltese Cross block is “divided by four intersecting diagonal seams into eight pie-shaped pieces” (Brackman, Encyclopedia, 330). Kaleidoscope quilts (block 2704) fall into the same category. This is my favorite of the blocks that I chose for the Summer Sampler Series; I had no idea that it is based on a cross that has been in use since the First Crusade, almost one thousand years ago. It is easier to see the Maltese Cross block construction in the image below.
The Maltese Cross (also known as the Amalfi Cross) was the symbol of the Knights Hospitaller, a group of men who ran a hospital beginning in the 11th century in Jerusalem. This group, later known as the Knights of Saint John and dedicated to charity and caring for the sick, later moved to the island of Malta, hence the name. One version of the story claims that the eight points of the star represent the eight points of courage: including loyalty, generosity, and helpfulness to the poor and the sick. There is also an interesting story about how the Maltese Cross became associated with firefighters in the United States on the FDNY’s website, if you are interested.
This block can be made with a single fabric center octagon, like I did, or out of as many prints/fabrics as you want. I wrote my color choices on the templates–thanks for the tip, Faith. Background/Kona Snow Triangles: Cut 24 squares that measure 4×4 inches
Colored triangles: Cut 8 squares that measure 4×4 inches
Corner triangles: Cut 4 squares that measure 5×5 inches
Step 2: Change your stitch length to approximately 1.5, so that the stitches perforate the paper. Start with Template A. Take your fabric choice for Triangle 1 and place it right side out against your template. Use double sided tape (I learned this trick from Lee in her Minnesota Block tutorial) or pins to adhere the fabric to paper.
Step 9: Take Template B, and follow the directions above to piece Triangles 1-4.
Step 11: Repeat these steps three more times for both templates; you should have four completed A blocks and four completed B blocks when you are done.
Step 12: Keeping the paper on (optional), take block A and B and match and pin center triangle points as shown. Sew block A to B on the seam allowance line, ironing seams (I ironed mine open). Repeat for blocks C and D, E and F, and G and H.
Step 14: Match points, pin, and sew the two block halves together. Iron open and tear off all of that paper! Step back and admire. Congratulations! You are done with the Evening Star!
This is my last block tutorial with the Summer Sampler Series–I have loved co-hosting this quilt along, and have absolutely loved seeing all of the talented sewists who are participating. There are some amazing blocks in the flickr group, and I can’t wait to see the quilts once they are done. We have started a thread in the flickr group containing additional traditional blocks that fit well with the Summer Sampler Blocks–feel free to post your own, I know I’m going to make a few extra!
Finally, if you have read this far, and if you are here as part of the Series, I hope you stick around/come back and visit Swim, Bike, Quilt. Additionally, I hope you will consider participating in 100 Quilts for Kids, a charity quilt drive that is taking place September 15-October 15, 2011. Make a baby/kids quilt, donate it to a child in need in your area, link up here to be eligible for prizes, and feel happy that you used your skills to help a child in need!
14 Comments
Oooh, I’ve been looking forward to this one since I saw the logos for Summer Sampler! Looks like a great tute, Kate, I can’t wait to give it a whirl
Yea for paper piecing!!! I almost cried when I saw all those triangles but I know I can do it thanks to the little piece of paper. thanks Katie for another wonderful post. I am off to sew.
Thank you Kate for helping host this! This Sampler introduced me to your blog and I’m totally staying!
I’m not on the QAL but I love these posts and look forward to them. Thank you for doing this.
Carol
This star and the other 8point star that is left were the reason I joined this QAL. I wanted to learn how to make them and now i can´t wait to find some time for it!
This QAL (my first) has been so much fun so far, really skill building for me. I learned a lot about new quilting techniques, e.g. I had never thought that I would enjoy paper piecing – but I love the accuracy of paper pieced blocks now!
I want to thank you for all the effort and work that you have put into this!
thanks for the paper piecing guide, I am new to it and am going to try it with those crazy FWSQA squares,Yikes (that’s how i found you, Thank God!!) but now I think I would like to follow along with your group too, thanks to your posts!!
Loved this QAL and so glad it introduced me to your blog!
Thank you for the wonderful step by step instructions, I have learned so many things I never would have taken the time to learn on my own! Thank you!
Yesssss! Paper piecing!!!
Hey, how kewl is that? I love this block and just found that it’s one of the ones I’ve picked for my Bible block quilt! Yay! Practice for that and another step toward my Summer Sampler!
Kate, it’s beautiful! Love the colors! Great instructions too. : )
Just finished my block and am very pleased with it! I wouldn’t have thought I would enjoy this one so much, which just goes to show why I need to be pushed to try new things. Thanks, Kate!
Hi! This is so beautiful block! Thank you for a tutorial!
Hi! I just printed out my templates and am trying to wrap my head around actually doing this, but I just had one question: In your pictures, it looks like you trimmed a bit off the center point of each unit (in your block the white that forms the center octagon). This isn’t marked on the template, so I’m wondering where and when I’m supposed to trim? Thanks so much!
Colleen
Awesome! I finally just got around to this one and while my center is nowhere near lined up, it is done and I’m crossing it off. Great tutorial. I would have been nervous to try this block without your great tutorial and how much I learned during this quilt-along. Thanks again, Kate.