Elephant Parade by Tia Lynn Design

I am so excited to join the Elephant Parade by Tia Lynn Design! My blanket block for Tillie the Elephant is called “Star of the Show” and it uses a wonky-star-with-a-fringe look. I used Tula Pink fabrics for my blanket block. The blanket block measures 6½” x 6½” square, ready to be sewn into the Tillie the Elephant pattern by Tiffany Newton of Tia Lynn Design (see link below).

Create Star Point Blocks:

We will use the Stitch ’n Flip method to create our Star Point Blocks.

1.  Gather (2) Background 2” x 2” squares and (4) Star Point Triangles.

2.  Lay (1) Star Point Triangle RST at an angle on one corner of (1) Background 2” x 2” Square, so that one of the triangle points crosses the center of the bottom edge of the Background Square. The opposite Triangle point may be placed anywhere along the side of the Background Square — this will create the “wonkiness” of the star points.  Fold back the Triangle to make sure it will completely cover the corner of the Background Square. 

3.  Sew your Triangle in place with a ¼" seam allowance. 

4.  Flip and press your triangle.

5.  Turn block over and trim your triangle even with the background square.

6.  To reduce bulk, fold triangle towards center of block and trim the background corner ¼” from the triangle seam.

7.  Place a second Star Point Triangle RST on the same Background Square, overlapping the first Triangle in the center on the bottom edge of the block with one end of the Triangle, and angling the Triangle on the opposite side of the block. Fold back the Triangle to make sure it will cover the bottom corner. Sew Triangle in place using a ¼" seam allowance.

8.  Flip and press triangle open.

9.  Turn block over and trim your second triangle even with the background square.

10.  To reduce bulk, fold triangle towards center of block and trim the background corner ¼” from the triangle seam.

These are the top and bottom Star Point Blocks of the Wonky Star Block.

11.  Using (2) 2” x 2¾” Background Rectangles and (4) Star Point Triangles, repeat Steps 1-10 to create (2) additional Star Point Blocks. The Triangles will cross each other on one of the 2" sides of the Background Rectangle. These are the left and right side Star Point Blocks of the Wonky Star Block.

Create the Block:

1. Gather: (4) Star Point Blocks, (1) 2" x 2" Star Center, (4) 2" x 2¾” Background Rectangles, and (1) 2½" x 6½” Fringe Rectangle.

2. Lay out your Star pieces into a 9-patch configuration, with the Fringe Rectangle on the bottom, as shown below:

3.  With RST, sew the top row together. Press seams toward outside blocks.

4.  With RST, sew the middle row together. Press seams toward center block.

5.  With RST, sew the bottom row together. Press seams toward outside blocks.

6.  With RST, sew the top row RST to the middle row. Press seam open.

7.  With RST, sew the top/middle row RST to the bottom row to complete the Wonky Star Block. Press seam open.

8.  With RST, sew (1) 2½” x 6½” Fringe Rectangle to the bottom of Wonky Star Block. Press seam toward Fringe Rectangle to complete your Star of the Show Block.

9. Trim your Star of the Show Block to 6½” x 6½” square.

Congratulations, you have completed the “Star of the Show” Block and it is ready to use in the Tillie the Elephant pattern.

Here's my completed Tillie the Elephant with her Star of the Show Blanket:

Download your free Tillie the Elephant pattern by Tiffany Newton at https://tialynndesign.com/tillie-elephant. 

And don't forget to check out the other designer's blanket blocks! Here are a few to get you started:

High as an Elephant's Eye by Eva Paige: https://evapaigequilts.com/blogs/news/elephants-on-parade

Festival Burst by Handwoven by Leah:  https://www.handwovenbyleah.com/post/festival-burst

Lotus Flower by Hula Hoop Designs:  https://tialynndesign.com/lotus-flower-from-hula-hoop-designs

Let me know if you have any questions! I would love to see your Tillie the Elephant blocks! Use the hashtags #sewbeachyquilts, #staroftheshow, and #tillietheelephant when posting your completed blocks. Enjoy!