Little House Sampler Quilt Sew Along ~ Native Star - Block #2

Welcome back to Melva Loves Scraps and the Little House Sampler Sew Along.  The second book of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House series is probably the most popular, favorite and familiar to LIW fans, thanks the television series... Little House on the Prairie.

The adventures of the Ingalls family continue as they leave the little house in the big woods of Wisconsin and set out for the big skies of Kansas Territory.  They were feeling settled with the completion of a cabin and small barn. They were planting and plowing, hunting wildlife and gathering grass for the animals... and then they had a visit from the Natives while Pa was out hunting.

They indicated they wanted something to eat so Ma carefully and calmly pulled cornbread from the fire and offered it to the men.  They ate every morsel and crumb and then turned and left (with Pa's tobacco) as silently as they had entered the house.  

And now you know the inspiration for the second block of the sampler quilt!  The original pattern "Indian Star" is from Pieces from the Past and a 12" block.  In the photo below clockwise: Upper left the block in my first LH Sampler quilt; 2nd LH Sampler quilt; 2-color Native Star (my favorite!); and finally, the original Indian Star block from Pieces from the Past.  

All four blocks are from the same pattern.  By going with just 2 colors and adjusting the color placement you get a quarter star block which, I think, resembles the feathers on the Native's heads. (Picture from my vintage book, illustrated by Garth Williams.)

I have left the pattern as the original was written requiring the three colors, but you can probably figure out what you need to make the 2-color block on your own. 

Time for the math lesson. 😁 This one is easy...  We are reducing the block size by 50% or dividing the unit size in 1/2.

The original pattern block pieces for a 12-inch block were cut to 3-1/2" and 4" squares.

First up, the 3-1/2" squares unfinished have a finished size of 3". 

3 divided by 2 is 1-1/2", add your seam allowances (1/2") = 2 inches.

When making Half-Square Triangle units, you need to know your finished unit size - which in this case is 1-1/2"... add 1" = 2-1/2".  For a more precisely sized unit, many will add 7/8".  I prefer to use the oversized method because it allows me to square up the unit when trimming and the end result is a proper sized finished block.  Remember, you get two HST units from each set... so you would need 4 sets to make the 2-color version of Native Star.

Whew! The math lesson is complete...  I need a break.  Won't you join me for some tea or coffee and a few Prairie-inspired biscuits?  These are a slightly sweet biscuit and the crunch from the chopped pecans and a dab of butter melted on top make them a special treat.

It's now time to hop over to Payhip to get the Native Star pattern.  If you didn't get the log cabin frame pattern yet, you can get that one as well.  The patterns are free for the duration of the sew along.

Before you go... tell me which version you will be piecing.

Will you choose the original 3-color block?

or will you choose the 2-color block?

When your block is finished, be sure to come back and link your blog or social media post for a chance to win a prize.  (Must have a US mailing address.)  No blog or social media?  No problem.  Send an email with your photo attached and I will link you up. (Please note that a social media link must be made public so that everyone can enjoy the block.) MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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