Throughout my quilting journey, I have met some pretty amazing quilt-makers! Many are acquaintances, yet I have the true privilege of calling some of them “friend”. Such is the case with Barb Eikmeier, the extraordinary quilt-maker / teacher / quilt designer AND fabric designer; the one who designed this lovely fabric line of Vintage Shirtings & Dress Prints for Paintbrush Studio. Thank you, Barb, for inviting me to “hop”!
If you haven’t already “checked in” to participate in this hop, you can do so here: Inspired by Fabric. You won’t want to miss the “check-in” because, in addition to the blog-hopping fun, there are some great prizes available to be won by some lucky participants!
I selected the Evening Star block for the hop. It is a beautiful, traditional block, so it certainly fits perfectly with the Vintage Shirtings & Dress Prints. I chose this block for its beauty and because it provides the opportunity to work with both half-square and quarter-square triangles.
I am a “pragmatic quilt-maker”. That means that I believe that there are many ways to the same destination, and my way is NOT the only way! I also believe there are very few hard and fast “rules” in quilt-making. Yet, I know that, practically and pragmatically speaking, there are some things that simply “work better” than others. That is certainly true when deciding where in a block to use a half-square vs. a quarter-square triangle. At the end of my post, you will find a link to download a PDF of written instructions for this block that includes more detailed information about half-square and quarter-square triangles.
Let’s get started!
As you can see, I’ve made the Evening Star block in two color ways. I’ll outline the piecing by referencing the blue, red, and cream combination, the higher contrast block of the two.
The Evening Star is made with nine-patch construction: four of the “patches” are this blue and cream pieced unit,
four of the “patches” are this red and cream pieced unit, 
and the center patch is one fabric square (blue). 
Rotary cut the following:
From the blue fabric (Fabric A): one square, 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ (center patch of the block)
four squares, 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ (small star points)
From the red fabric (Fabric B): two squares, 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″ (large star points)
From the cream background fabric (Fabric C):
two squares, 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″
four squares, 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″
eight squares, 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″
Cut all of the 5 1/4″ squares (red squares and cream squares) in half diagonally in both directions. Cutting the square in this fashion “quarters” the square, yielding four “quarter-square triangles” from each of the red and cream 5 1/4″ squares.
Cut all of the 2 7/8″ squares (blue squares and cream squares) in half diagonally in one direction, yielding eight blue and eight cream half-square triangles.
CONSTRUCTION:
Blue and Cream Pieced Unit: Gather two blue and two cream half-square triangles and two cream 2 1/2″ squares. Sew one cream and one blue half-square triangle together into a half-square triangle square.
Make 2. Press seam toward the blue.
Sew each half-square triangle square to a 2 1/2″ cream background square. Press seam toward the cream square. Position the units as shown and sew the center seam. Press the seam to one side.
Make a total of four blue and cream pieced units.
Red and Cream Pieced Unit: Gather two red and two cream quarter-square triangles, positioning them as shown.
Sew one red triangle and one cream triangle together; repeat with the remaining two triangles. Press seams toward the red triangle.
Sew the center seam; press seam to one side.
Make a total of four red and cream pieced units.
Position the eight pieced units and the 4 1/2″ blue square as shown.
Sew the three top units together into a horizontal row. 
Repeat with the next two sets of units. Press the seams of the top and bottom horizontal rows toward the outside; press the seams of the center row toward the center square.
Sew the three horizontal rows together, creating the Evening Star block. Press seams to one side. Enjoy your beautiful block!
My second Evening Star block is a lower contrast block. I love having the navy blue as background, using the lighter value light blue and grey fabrics as the star / star point pieces. For this combination, Fabric A = grey, Fabric B = light blue, and Fabric C = navy.
Here’s the link to the PDF instructions for the Evening Star block.
If you’re ready to continue the hop, then head over to Inspired by Fabric and sign up to follow their blog (either by email or blog reader). Then, come back here and let me know you’re signed up by either leaving a comment below OR leaving a comment by contacting me. Also in your comments, let me know which of my blocks you liked better: the high-contrast (blue, red, cream) or low-contrast (navy, grey, light blue). By doing so, you’ll also be enrolled in a drawing for my giveaway (a copy of my book: Hexagons, Diamonds, Triangles, and More).
Be sure to include your email address so we can contact you if you win! The drawing for my book will take place next week.
Here are the list of bloggers for the Vintage Shirting & Dress Print Blog Hop. Be sure to collect all the blocks from these talented quilt-makers!!
Vintage Shirting & Dress Prints Blog Hop Schedule:
Thursday 4/14: Blog Hop Introduction
Friday 4/15: Barb Eikmeier @Barb’s Favorites
Monday 4/18: Donna Lynn Thomas @DonnaLynnThomasQuilter
Tuesday 4/19: Kelly Ashton @KellyQuilter
Wednesday 4/20: Reeze Hanson @MorningGloryDesigns
Thursday 4/21: Sally Schneider @SallySchneider
Friday 4/22: Theresa Ward @AlwaysQuilts
And, for a special price on my Craftsy class: “Piece Any Project: Conquer Challenging Seams, check it out via my affiliate link:
www.craftsy.com/ext/KellyAshton_6831_H
Happy Hopping!!
Kelly
I love both blocks- but since that red print is one of my favorites from this line I’m voting for the high contrast block. I follow Inspired by Fabric on bloglovin. Thank you!
I receive the Inspired by Fabric newsletter & I am drawn to the high contrast block in red, blue & cream.
Hi
I love the low contrast block – very nice!I really am drawn to blue blocks – think a blue quilt was one of my first quilts That I attempted to machine quilt! I am signed up with Inspired by Fabric!
churcaeAtauburndotedu
I do follow Inspired by Fabric and have for quite some time. I like the high contrast block best and stars are my favorite. Thanks for being a part of the blog hop and sharing your creations. Rina – edrin1932 at gmail.com
I follow IBF on bloglovin. My favorite is the red, white and blue block.
I follow the inspired by fabric blog. I like the high contrast block. Love how it pops on the light background fabric.
Great tutorial! I like tHe lower contrast combo, unusual for me. Thanks for the give-away!
I follow Inspired by Fabric. I love your high-contrast block. Thank you for the great detailed tutorial. Thank you for the inspiration and the giveaway. janie(dot)mccombs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love the blue & grey version best!
Follow inspired by fabric on bloglovin- great blog. Thanks
I have signed up to follow the blog. I like both colorways, but and leaning a little bit more toward the red, white and blue.
Love the look of the red, white aNd blue evening star block. I am a subscriber to inspired by fabric newsletter. Thank you for sharing projects.
Im signed up! I love the high contrast red block!
I follow inspired by fabric. I prefer the high contRast block. Thanks for the tuTorial.
I’ve signed up for the blog following. I love red,white, and blue quilts, so obviously I love your rwb block. Very, very pretty.
I have been looking for a community like this where I can learn something with good clear instructions and then buy the materials if I am interested. Thanks!
FOLLOWING “INSPIRED BY FABRIC” ON BLOG LOVIN’!
LOVE YOUR BLOCKS! MY FAVORITE IS THE LOW CONTRAST BLOCK THOUGH! THANK YOU FOR SHARING ON YOUR BLOG+IN THE GIVEAWAY!
hIGH CONTRAST IS MY FAVORITE, fOLLOWING INSPIRED BY FABRIC ON bLOGLOVIN’. 24tANGENT@GMAIL.COM
I follow Inspired by Fabric on bloglovin~ I’m liking the low contrast at the moment!
i THINK THE RED BLUE AND CREAM SHOW OFF THE STAR BEST. bOTH VERSIONS ARE QUITE NICE AND THANKS FOR THE TUTORIAL.
I’m enjoying this blog hop using this type of fabric. Each of you are definitely inspiring.
I love the high contrast block the best. Nice job with the tutorial. thanks for sharing the giveaway. I follow Inspired by fabrics via bloglovin!
I follow Inspired by Fabric by email. Love the bright contrast. It would be so pretty in a quilt.
I love the high contrast block. But to be honest I think they are both lovely. I follow inspired by fabric via bloglovin
I follow Inspired by Fabric by email. I prefer the high contrast red, white and blue block. Thanks!
I love both blocks, but the red and white one is my best favorite.
I do follow Inspired by Fabric by email. Thank you!
I adore the high contrast block….I’ve followed Inspired by Fabric via email for some time now. Thank you for the pdf….
I LOVE BOTH BLOCKS, BUT THE RED AND WHITE ONE IS MY BEST FAVORITE.
I DO FOLLOW INSPIRED BY FABRIC BY EMAIL. THANK YOU.
Very clean, PATRIOTIC block.
your block is wonderful. thanks for the great tutorial.
i I follow inspired by fabric by email
I follow inspire by fabric by email. Love the low contrast fabrics as blue is my favorite color.
MY EYES WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE VERSION OF YOUR BLOCK. I LIKED THE CONTRAST OF THE DIFFERENT COLORS. YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ARE QUITE CLEAR. I ALREADY SUBSCRIBE TO INSPIRED BY FABRIC EMAIL POSTS.
I follow Inspired by Fabric via Feedly. Love your block – the high contrast red/white/blue is my favorite – thanks for the tutorial & the chance to win.
I like the high contrast star, but both are beautiful. I receive Inspired by Fabric by email.
I follow inspired by fabric via bloglovin. i really like the low contrast version!
I prefer the high contrast block. Thank you for the tutorial. i Follow Inspired by fabric by email.
I do lIke both of the blocks but my favorite is the high contrast.i follow by email.
I follow Inspired by fabric on bloglovin. I like the high contrast block better, since I’m a fan of bright quilts.
i follow inspired by fabrics blog! I love the low contrast block! thanks!
I got inspired by fabric on bloglovin….. happyness04431@yahoo.com
Both are great…but I’m going to have to vote for the high contrast block
I follow Inspired by fabric by email. Love the high contrast block, reminds me of a star with fireworks in the background. The lower contrast block would be great in a repro quilt. Thank you for a great tutorial!
I love the high contrast block! Thanks for the opportunity to win. I already follow Inspired by Fabric via email.
kakingsbury at verizon dot net
I love the high contrast block! It feels patriotic to me. I’ve signed up at inspired by Fabric and my email address is Jerushafields@gmail.com
I like both blocks, but i love red, so i have to vote for that block. I’ve been following inspired by fabric by email. thanks for the giveaway!
LOVE THE HIGH CONTRAST. GOT SIGNED UP. GREAT BLOCKS. THE BOOK SOUNDS AWESOME!
I sUbscribe to inspired by fabric.
I love the low contrast block, it is beautiful!
I follow Inspired by Fabric through Blog Lovin.
I love the red, blue and cream version of your block the best. It is easier to see the design to me
Thanks for the great tutorial and the chance to win!
Love them both..but the High Contrast caught my eye first! Just pops! Thank you for sharing, and also for chance to win your give-a-way too!:)
I am already a follower of inspired by fabric..email, bloglovin & pinterest.
(sorry..messed up 1st comment..couldn’t see where to delete it)
Love them both..but the High Contrast caught my eye first! Just pops! Thank you for sharing, and also for chance to win your give-a-way too!:)
I am already a follower of inspired by fabric..email, bloglovin & pinterest.
bearpaws9(at)copper(dot)net
If I were thinking Civil War I would go low contrast but my personality says High contrast. Love the block.
Forgot to add I am a follower.
I am a follower of inspired by fabric through email. I love the block design and i have to pick the high contrast. Very pretty.
The evening star is a block that draws attention to it with it’s two layers of star points. I do like the high contrast Blue, red and cream the best. I follow the inspired by fabric blog. Nice job on your tutorial. Beautiful fabric prints aren’t they?
quilt 4 fun 2 at hot mail dot com
I like the low contrast block. I follow the inspired by fabrics blog.
I follow them via email, and love both blocks. I’m enjoying the darker ones, too, but I normally make light backgrounds. It’s fun to see both. Thanks.
I receive their newsletter and prefer the red blue & cream version. Thanks
I am really drawn to the low version of your blocks, but both blocks are fantastic. I already follow Inspired by Fabric via email.
Both! And I follow them on blog lovin. Thanks for sharing. ..great tutorial!
Love the red-cream-blue block!
I like the high contrast best, but then I also love anything red, white, and blue. I subscribe to Inspired by fabric with feedly.
Thanks for the pattern and tutorial, and I like the high contrast best. I follow Inspired by Fabric via email.
I follow inspired bY fabric via email. I like Your low contrasT block beSt.
I follow Inspired by Fabric on bloglovin. I love the high contrast block best. Thanks for the pattern and tutorial.
lOVE THE RED WHITE AND BLUE BLOCK. I’m AND email follower.
Both blocks are beautiful, but I prefer the high contrast block. I follow Inspired by fabric on bloglovin. Thanks!
Love this line of shirting fabric. your block is really cute. I already subscribe to Fabric-Quilt. Thanks. Diane Oakes
I follow inspired by fabric via bloglovin. I like the high contrast block.
I follow via email. I love the red, blue, and cream block the best.
Hello, I really like the low-contrast block…I follow inspired by Fabric by email…thank you for a lovely giveaway….
Follow inspired by fabric by email. Love the high contrast block.
Hard to choose But, i really like the red.
Both blocks are beautiful, and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at either color way, but I prefer the high contrast. I love this block. Thank you for choosing it and for offering such a clear tutorial on making it!
Oh, and I do follow Inspired on e-mail delivery.
I FOLLOW Inspired by fabric on bloglovin. I like the low contrast block the best.
WHILE I TEND TO MAKE MOSTLY HIGH-CONTRAST BLOCKS, I REALLY LOVE YOUR LOW-CONTRAST BLOCK! I FOLLOW INSPIRED BY FABRIC BY EMAIL.
I follow Inspired by fabric by e-mail. I like the low contrast block. To me, it has the appearance of two overlapping stars, the one with the corner points behind the other.
I signed up to follow Inspired by fabric via email. I like boTh color ways of your block but the high contrast red, white, and blue is my favorite. It really shows off the block design.
I signed up! I like both styles of your block. Hard decision, but I will pick blue (if I have to pick).
both are BEAUTIFUL but i think the high coNtrast block is best for me. I signed up for blog hop. yawnba@gmail.com
Love your blocks! The red, white and blue block is my favorite. Im a follower Of Inspired bY Fabric via BlogLovin. I love making hexies and fingers crossed for the win, heHe.
Thanks for a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
OOh the high contrast blue red cream iS my favorite! I follow inspired by fabric by email
Hi, again, I wanted to let you know that I would love a copy of your book on hexagons! I am a beginner quilter and bought my first layer cake of the Bee Creative by Deb Strain. I want to make hexagons with IT because of the obvious, Bee hives are hexagonal, but have never made HEXAGONS! Jerushafields@gmail.com
I follow inspired by email. Love your low contrast block, thanks for giveaway, it would be fun to learn to make hexagons.
Great block
Sorry, I can’t choose, they are both beautiful! The pdf is most helpful, too. thanks!!
I really like both blocks. If I had to pick, I would choose the high contrast of the red, white and blue since I am working on a Quilt of Valor right now. I follow inspired by fabric by email.
Veldig motiverende artikkel, men synes det virker skummelt å hive seg på styrkerommet når man er vant til de kjedelige apernatpade:( Redd for å gjøre feil og for at andre skal stirre på meg.
Do you think there is anything to the idea that bisphenol a (BPA) could affect implantation? I’ve had two failed IVFs (with lovely embryos/blasts), and I’m wondering if it was because I drank from an old Nalgene bottle all the time and ate lots of canned vegetables (BPA leeches out of the liner in the cans). I know some research about BPA was presented at ASRM recently – do you think it’s something to consider?
The ability to think like that shows you’re an expert
That’s really thinking of the highest order
I see interesting articles here. Your website can go viral easily, you need some
initial traffic only. You should read about bucksflooder , this might
interest you.
Ein freues neues Jahr an alle fans und natürÂÂlich an Sie, Frau FurtÂÂwängÂÂler!Genauso wie Nicole würde es mich interÂÂresÂÂsieÂÂren ob es mal ein FanÂÂtrefÂÂfen geben wird?AußerÂÂdem ein rieÂÂsen KomÂÂpliÂÂment an diese neue HomeÂÂpage und an ihre Videos und an ihr EngaÂÂgeÂÂment diese seite betrefÂÂfend !!Ich habe mir vorÂÂgeÂÂnomÂÂmen sie diese Jahr mal irgendwo zu trefÂÂfen *lach*!Liebe Grüße Anna
Much Respect Kevin. Glad to hear from ya, see your putting some size on. I don’t think most people are trying to be harsh, a few are, some of us are just I guess dissappointed with not seeing as many videos as before, but with time comes change and I was probably in the wrong. I have much respect for you and look forward to seeing you put up that 405 again!! As always, Stay motivated!
Lovely just what I was looking for. Thanks to the author for taking
his time on this one.
Toi au moins, tu remonte le moral dès le début de ta lecture . . . Combien de tes visiteurs se sont suicidés d'après toi ? On fait le bilan des absents après ta prochaine mise en ligne ?Ciaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
hello. I see you are involved in hair growth
http://xxeevviill.com