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I have included a colouring page for this block in PDF, so you can colour, cut apart, have a play and come up with something you like. The possibilities are endless. Have some fun with it :D

Also below is a down loadable PDF file with the directions for making the Split 9 Patch

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Using Half Square Triangles to Make Stars

I am going to show you how to make the Ohio Star using half square triangle units. Now the points in this star are often made using a flying geese unit and these can be made using last months sew and flip method, but because we are working on half square triangles this month, we are going to make the star using these units

For this star you will need to choose a background fabric (A), a fairly strong colour for your star points (B) and a couple of other colours that work well together for your center 4 Patch (C) (Pic 1)

From your background fabric cut
Four of 4 1/2” squares and
Four of 4 7/8” squares

From your star point fabric cut
Four of 4 7/8” squares

Out of each of your fabrics for the center four patch cut
Two of 4 1/2” squares

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Make 8 Half square triangles using your 4 7/8” background and star point squares, as shown for the Split 9 Patch Press seams open for these units, to help reduce bulk (Pic 2a-d)

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Matching the Points

We are unable to get a nice butted seam when joining the half square triangle units into pairs, so to get a really good match on the points I find it helpful to machine baste the join.

Lay the units out in pairs as shown
Set your machine stitch length much bigger than normal
Match up the points and sew a 1/4 seam just over the join for a short way.
Remove from machine and check your join.
If you are happy with your join reset stitch length and sew seam as normal (Pic 3a-c)
If you are unhappy with your join, remove basting, adjust placement and re-baste.

I often use this technique to get a good match at seams and joins, the advantages are that you can open out your units fully to check placement, machine basting is easy to remove and if you like the fit pieces will not shift while piecing once they are machine basted

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Making the Center 4 Patch

Stitch your 4 1/2” squares together in pairs, using a 1/4” seam
Press seam allowances towards the darker colour
Join the paired units together to form a four patch, butting the center seam to get a smooth join. (Pic 4a-c)

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Completing the Block

Layout the units for your block as shown
Stitch a background square to each end of two of the star point units

Press the center seam of the star Point units in the opposite direction to the seam in the four patch (Pic 5a,b)

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Stitch the other two point units to either side of the four Patch butting the center seam and ensuring your seam passes over the point where your other two seams meet as shown.(As indicated in red on Pics 6a&b)
Press seams towards four Patch

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Sew top and bottom strips to complete the block
Press finale seams open to help reduce bulk (Pic 7)

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Finished Ohio Star Block Pic 8

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Ohio Star set with plain blocks as the alternating block