Ornament #2 Quilt Block for Shiny + Bright Quilt

This cute Christmas ornament #2 quilt block with the friendship stars in the center is inspired by the vintage Shiny Brite Christmas tree ornaments that I’ve collected over the years.  These ornaments bring back the nostalgia of my childhood and decorating the freshly cut balsam tree on Christmas Eve.

I love the red, aqua blue, teal, pink, gold, purple, and green color combinations of the Shiny Brite ornaments!!  And I think they will make a lovely quilt for the holidays!!!

Cutting the Fabric for Ornament #2

Use your favorite rotary cutter, plastic ruler, and cutting mat to cut out the following pieces.

For a quick tutorial on using a rotary cutter check out my previous post.  I also have a post on choosing fabric for a quilt if you’re interested.

Quilting 101 Using a Rotary Cutter pin

Red Fabric: 

Cut 32 – 2″ x 2″ squares; 4 – 2″ x 5″ strips and 2 – 2″ x 12 1/2″ strips

Aqua/Pink/Gold/Green Fabrics: 

Cut 5 – 2″ x 2″ squares of each color

Cream Fabric:

Cut 4 – 3″ x 3″ squares

General Sewing Directions for the Ornament #2 Quilt Block

Accurate cutting and sewing enhances the final product of your ornament #2 quilt block! 

Pin your pieces together before sewing them to ensure proper seam alignment.

Use a 1/4″ seam allowance.  I recommend using a special presser foot with a 1/4″ guide if you have one for your machine.  This will help you get uniform seams, and matching corners!

Follow the directions described below as you press open the seams.

Finished block size is 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″.

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Sewing the Ornament #2 Quilt Block

Follow each of the steps below to make the Ornament #2 quilt block!

Step 1

Cut all necessary pieces listed above.

Step 2

Using a washable marking pen draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of four of the aqua/pink/gold/green 2″ squares. 

Place a 2″ red square right sides together with each of these 16 colored squares (the ones you just drew the line on). 

For each, with the diagonal line facing you (wrong side up!) sew along the line. 

Trim 1/4″ from seam. If you chain pieced these units cut them apart to separate them.

Press open toward the red side. 

This half square triangle (HST) should again measure to be a 2″ square.  Trim if needed.

Step 3

For each star unit arrange four HST around a colored center with red squares in each corner to form the star as shown on Step 3 diagram. 

Sew patches together to form three rows. 

Press seams of top and bottom row to the right, press seam of middle row to the left. 

Sew rows to each other to complete the star unit. 

Press seams open.

Step 4

Arrange star units.  See Step 4 diagram for placements.  

Sew a 2″ x 5″ red strip to the left side of the two star units on the top and to the right side of the two star units on the bottom. 

Sew star units together along the red strips to form two rows. 

Press all seams toward the red strips.  

Sew two rows together to form center of ornament.  Press seam open. 

Step 5

Right sides together, pin and sew 2″ x 12 1/2″ red strips to top and bottom of center unit.  Press seams toward red strips.

Step 6

Using a straight edge and a washable marking pen, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on wrong side of cream squares as shown in Step 6 diagram. 

Step 6 Diagram

Right sides together pin cream squares in each corner of center unit.

Sew along diagonal lines. 

Trim corners 1/4″ from seam, press toward red fabric. 

Block should measure 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″, trim if needed.

Have fun making this Ornament #2 Quilt Block and check back for more ornament blocks inspired by Shiny Brite ornaments!

Happy Quilting!

Bonnie

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