Welcome to to the fifth block for the Summer Sampler Turns 10 Quilt Along. If you are following along on Instagram, please tag us @swimbikequilt @lee.a.heinrich @freshlemonsquilts and use our hashtag #summersamplerturns10.

I’m so happy to be sharing another link for a free block pattern with you. This week’s block is the Star Block, and it is paper pieced, just like last week’s. My original block is below, in the upper left corner. My paper piecing has improved in the last 10 years. Hurray!

This is Faith’s original block—I love the crispness of solids (and let’s be honest, Faith’s perfect piecing. My blocks never look quite this good, but they look good enough)

Star Block Tutorial

I really like how these four blocks look together!

Lee put together a video, demonstrating how to paper piece this block. Go watch it!

Watch Lee's Star Block Video

If you are new to paper piecing or want a refresher, Lee’s video, “Never Tear Out Paper Piecing Stitches Again,” is one of my favorite paper piecing tips!

Video: Never Tear Out Paper Piecing Stitches Again

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The original 2011 quilt along was based on blocks that we found in Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, which soon after became almost impossible to find. Good news: if you are interested in Brackman’s Encyclopedia, which included 4,000+ blocks, you can find an updated version here.

Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Blocks