Guidelines for Friendship Star Block Exchange

Package one Batik star block and one C-O-C star block in a plastic baggie.  For the Block Exchange, you must have 15 bags, each containing a Batik star block and a C-O-C star block.

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE STARTING!

1. From 3/4 yd of C-O-C fabric, cut 4 2-1/2" strips.  (Strips will be approximately 45" long, the width of most fabrics.)
2. From 3 C-O-C strips, cut 60 2-1/2" squares and set aside for the corner pieces.
3. From the Batik fabric, cut 2 2-1/2" strips.
4. From one Batik strip, cut 15 2-1/2" squares for the center piece and set aside.
5. Make a C-O-C/Batik sandwich by layering one strip each of C-O-C and Batik fabric.  Place 2 sheets of 2" finished triangle paper on the sandwich and make 60 1/2" square triangle units.  Press the seams to the darker fabric on the triangle units.
6. Construct the block as in the illustration.

1. From 3/4 yd of Batik fabric, cut 4 2-1/2" strips.  (Strips will be approximately 45" long, the width of most fabrics.)
2. From 3 Batik strips, cut 60 2-1/2" squares and set aside for the corner pieces.
3. From the C-O-C fabric, cut 2 2-1/2" strips.
4. From one C-O-C strip, cut 15 2-1/2" squares for the center piece and set aside.
5. Make a C-O-C/Batik sandwich by layering one strip each of C-O-C and Batik fabric.  Place 2 sheets of 2" finished triangle paper on the sandwich and make 60 1/2" square triangle units.  Press the seams to the darker fabric on the triangle units.
6. Construct the block as in the illustration.

For all blocks:

• These are Friendship Blocks, so sign your name on the face of each block with a BLACK PIGMA PEN (do not use any other kind of pen).  On the C-O-C blocks, sign as per the diagram to the right.  On the Batik blocks, sign in the same position, but just outside the block. Set the ink by pressing the block.
• You are on your own if you prefer to construct your triangles in another manner.  There should still be enough fabric if you prefer the traditional method of cutting 2-7/8" squares.  If you are paper-piecing, measure your paper pattern first to be sure it results in a 6" finished block.  In either case, measure your finished blocks to be sure end up 6-1/2" square.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES:

1. Trim all threads and tails as you go.  No one likes to receive or clean up messy blocks.
2. Press all seams as you go.  After you have constructed the 3 horizontal rows for each block, press the seams of each row in alternating directions so that the rows will nest and make accurate joints.
3. Measure your blocks frequently and be sure that all your blocks accurately measure 6-1/2" (unfinished).  If your blocks don't measure 6-1/2" exactly, then do not participate in the exchange as your blocks are useless to the rest of the participants.