There’s something truly special about the first block of a BOM, and Star Rise is no exception. I adore the Carpenter Star block and wanted to showcase it in this design. It appears beautifully intricate yet is surprisingly simple to assemble. This block will allow you to shine and build confidence, especially if you're a beginner.
The Carpenter Star block dates to 1880, when it was initially called “Star.” I did some digging to see if I could uncover more than that simple fact, but I mostly found a long list of other names used for the block, including Star of the East, Circle Star, Double Star, and the very fun-to-say Knickerbocker Star.
Some sources go even further back, linking the Carpenter’s Wheel to aiding enslaved people in their escape via the Underground Railroad before 1860. The blocks were hung on clotheslines, and the dark patterns in each quilt block pointed in a specific direction that would lead them to safety.
The key to this block is perfect half-square triangles. While it can be tedious, I enjoy making my HSTs slightly larger than necessary so I can trim them to the exact size I need. The secret to a successful BOM is staying organized throughout the year. I like to hang my blocks in the coat closet using a skirt hanger, but this blog post offers excellent tips for organizing everything throughout the year.
If you haven’t signed up yet, you can join us! I’m offering a flash sale and reintroducing the $9 monthly payment option for a limited time. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can get a block pattern, access to our community, and live Q&A sessions with my best tips. We’d love to see you there.
