Grand Country Quilters Summer Mystery Quilt 2020 Week #9 & Week #10 - Combo Sting of Stars & “Checkerboard Forest©” is Done!

64” x 64” So this week we are “almost” there…are you still mystified as to what this will eventually look like? Well the wait is over! I debated about having this be the last week – and…why not! Let’s take next weekend off and finish this Mystery up? To begin this week - we will complete the Big Center block. First, let’s make that string of Stars. String of Stars - Collect the 28 Friendship Star Blocks (5” x 5”) that you made Week #3.

In order for the seams to “nest” together – you will lay them out as shown in this photo.

o Make 4 units of 3 Stars o Make 4 units of 4 Stars

Press “lightly” – we want to be able to change the direction of the seam as we sew it to the Big center square. (not all seams will nest together…)

Collect the Week #6 blocks and stack them with the RED square in the top left corner.

Sew the 3 Stars unit to the bottom of the big block. Press to the Light Border strips.

Sew the 4 Stars unit to the right hand side of this block. NOTE- if the seams don’t nest with the 3 Star unit – rotate the 4 Star unit and then they will nest.

Press to the Light Border strips.

Refer to the photo and lay out the 4 blocks…remember the “pressing direction” instructions from Week #6? If you followed along – your seams will nest together…it’s easier to lay the blocks wrong side up so that you see the pressed seam direction – shift the big blocks as needed.

Pin at seams to help lock them in place and stitch.

Press this seam open.

Measures 36 ½” x 36 ½”

Checkerboard Forest – Collect the 48 Four-Patch blocks that you made Week #2

Make 4 stacks of 12 blocks.

Sew together 2 stacks with the “Light” square in the top left corner

Sew together 2 stacks with the “Red” square in the top left corner

Sew these units to the top of the Row of Trees – week #7 – press to Trees.

Measures 14 ½” x 36 ½”.

Select the 2 Checkerboard Tree units with the LIGHT square in the upper left corner (see the little blue arrow?)

Sew these units to the String of Stars Center Block.

Press to Checkerboard. Collect the Big Blocks we made last week (corners) and following the photo (and the Checkerboard pattern) sew the blocks on the remaining 2 Checkerboard Tree Units.

Press to Checkerboard Forest Unit.

Sew to the String of Stars Center Block.

Press to the Stars.

Measures 64” x 64”

Stay stitch the edge of the finished quilt 1/8” – helps keep the stitches from popping open.

Oh Boy! You’re done! (..except for the backing (4 yards), quilting it together, binding it (7 strips at 2 ¼”), adding the Label (“Checkerboard Forest” GCQ’s Summer Mystery 2020…another quarantine quilt?) and then.. you’re DONE! Thanks for sewing along with us. We sure had a blast. We have enjoyed seeing your results, talking to you on the phone and staying connected with our “Quilting Community” at a safe distance! Please post photos of your finished quilts – I’m so proud of all the completed quilts (and quilters). Stay tuned…maybe another one in January? Take Care and Enjoy! Karen Wittmeyer and Grand Country Quilters www.grandcountryquilters.com ©gcqsummermystery2020©week910.