My apologies for not having blogged for so long. My husband was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer and he has been my focus this year. He has successfully completed his radiation therapy and is undergoing chemo which is administered once every 3 months for the next year and a half. Currently he is in remission, so we are very grateful to all our friends, family and many of you here, that have offered up prayers on our behalf. Those prayers have been answered! So back to Quilting!!!
If you have followed my blog for a while, you know that I love to make Star Table Toppers. For this particular one, I am using the Brimfield Block as my focal piece. The Brimfield Block is paper pieced in the English Paper Piecing style and hand stitched together. Don't freak out, it's easy and enjoyable. I'll share some tips in this tutorial to help you out.
SIDE NOTE: you can make this Star Table Topper with ANY random or orphan quilt block you like.
Let's get ready to make a Brimfield Block. You will need the following: The Brimfield Block paper pieces, which you can obtain here: https: https://brimfieldawakening.com/product/brimfield-block-epp-paper-pieces-for-one-block/
If you want to fussy cut your fabric pieces for your block, which is totally fun! You will want to get the acrylic templates Here: https://brimfieldawakening.com/product/brimfield-block-acrylic-templates-1-4-seam-allowance/ (if you don't want to invest in the acrylic templates, get some template plastic from your local quilt shop and trace the paper pieces, then add a 1/4" seam allowance. Cut on the outside edge and then you can slide your plastic pieces around on your fabric till you find what you like. Watch the video below and it will show you how to use a template effectively.)
Other items you will need for the paper piecing portion of this table topper: Washable glue sticks or the Sewline water soluble glue pen, fabric of your choice, rotary cutter, rotary cutting mat, needle, thread, some scissor or snips and a good light to stitch by.
Now to paper piece your block. Decide which fabrics you want to go where and cut them with your acrylic templates. To affix them to your paper pieces, use your glue stick to run a small strip of glue along the edge of the paper and fold your fabric selvage to adhere to the glue. Sometimes, if I am really being fussy about placement, I will put a small dot of glue in the center of the paper piece and line my fabric up pressing it to the dot of glue, then I can fold and glue the backside without having the front side move on me.
Here is a little video by Brimfield Awakening to show you how to use their templates. They really are so much fun. Take a moment to visit their website and look at all the fun paper piecing blocks you can make!
Here is a little video by me to show you how to use a glue stick for EPP.
You should have all your pieces for your block created, now to stitch them together. I like to use Superior Thread, 60 weight. This color does not show, it's like a little piece of silky goodness that disappears into your fabric.
Using a little painter's tape, you can lay out your pieces and tape them in place, this will help keep things organized when you are stitching them together. The flat back stitch is your key...watch this tutorial by Kim from Brimfield Awakening.
Once you have your pieces put together you will want to lay them out and stitch them to your background fabric. Again, I have used the thread above in my sewing machine. You can use a straight stitch, a blind stitch (which is what I did) or a simple zig zag to attach your piece to your background. I measured my background to extend 2 inches beyond the green points in my block.
For directions to complete your star table topper click on the link here: https://sisterofthedivide.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-table-toppers.html
I hope you will experiment with these blocks from Brimfield. You don't have to make a star table topper if you feel unsure, you can keep it simple and just add a little border and make it a square if you wish.