Amtgard Nothern Lights "Cathedral Stars"

Perfectly make the 6 small curved 4 pointed stars from the Nothern Lights Banner in about an hour

Posted by EstherC

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Project 1 On applique of the Amtgard Northern Lights Banners
Now traditionally one would just cut out the shape and pin/glue it down and then do a tight zig zag stich around it

There are reasons that this is popular - but there is one ongoing draw back, that the edges can fray ---with this method you can decide to do the same style of applique but these will not fray *Your work will out last

It also gives you to ability NOT to sew these in place - You can use Iron on adhesive or fabric glue, even hand sew them in place. This will give you a totally different look for your own project designs.

Called Cathedral stars because it is a reversed version of a classic Quilting method used on "Cathedral squares" sometimes called "Cathedral Corners"
*am willing to help make instructions for other groups
https://www.facebook.com/EstherChilcutt

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You Will Need (4 things)

4 inch or bigger squares of Fabric
some Thread
Fabric Glue
Iron On Adhesive

Steps (42 steps, 70 minutes)

1

Prewash then iron your fabric

Look on applique its always better to Iron then ruin a whole project

*used a blue as white would wash out details in photos
2

How large do you want your star?

Now wont bother with the geometry as this is art not an exact science

basic rule is 20% bigger
so I want a 5 inch star I cut a 6 inch square.

the RUFF math is

size you want the star divided by 5
plus the size you want the star

so 5/5=1+5=6

so I made a 6 inch square
3

People often say they can't cut a straight line...

Fabric is a web not a solid thing

it shifts bends and folds and so cutting a straight line is a myth

YOU can only do your best
*mine looks okay???
-it is NOT see next photo
4

My cut looked fine until i lined up something I know is straight

a peice of paper will do fine
I like something stiffer like a note card

but I also wanted something 6 inches
so I used a 6inch photo

No, it is not a square - but it has square corners and straight edges

*it helps see how far off I was?
5

always hold your pattern in place while you mark it, I used a tiny chalk refill for a pattern pencil

*most of the time I use water color pencils

ON white I suggested using a quilting pencil that vanishes on its own.

BUT I have been known to use good old #2 pencils... as you can actually get that off pretty easy.
6

when you have to turn/move a pattern - make sure you mark the edge where it will need to line up
7

These little notches will help you fine the missing point perfectly
8

line up along an edge and to the notch
make a small mark to help the other side line up
9

Line up he edge to the notch
and hopefully yoour other Mark lines up

*If so You did well and and mark the line-and the end notch for the other side to meet
10

*the line lined up
11

this side should line up perfectly between its ends if not --- start over

(easier to fix a few lines then sew something that will be wonky)
12

most people try to cut in the line,
normally cut along it - removing it totally as it was OUTside my template/pattern
13

I always cut a tiny bit past my end corner so can get the extra out of my way
14

after many mistakes - I learned to always work on a flat space and I always fold the remaining fabric away for where I need to cut
15

you can check your square is square

fold it Point to Point and it should line up.
16

We fold our stars in half
17

I like to press this in place
18

Sew both ends
19

snip the corners towards the fold a 45 angle
20

fold back one side of the seam
on both sides and Press
21

Pressing
22

pressed
23

do same to other side
24

open and turn this bag inside out
25

work your corners out
26

a lot of people try to do this with a chop stick or something

and from a lot of experience this works better

roll the seam between your fingers it will want to line up right
27

press both sides smooth
28

now fold the seams to the middle

*You have two sides that are shorter because of your seam

-the center will have an equal amount that wants to be your last seam
29

line the seams and hold the center seam allowance
30

press the corners with the seams
31

line up your corner points
32

carefully folding like origami the whole piece in half and press
33

Now - you can kind of see where my fold is and how much seam allowance is there to sew the last seam.

I do suggested to Draw a line and sew very slow you do not want to sew the fold, but you are trying to sew as close to it as possible
34

sew it and snip the corners
35

press open whole deign
36

press open the seam on back
37

Look ma a square
38

to make the corners curve

simply fold them in the middle
and iron following the bend
39

repeat
40

how perfect your Points needs to be depend on what you plan on doing with YOUR stars

if you want to ensure a tiny point suggest taking a needle and thread
and stitching the tips of the curves together

One solid stitch and a neat knot can hold these and make sewing them down a lot easier
41

Thin fabrics May show impressions of the seams behind those will fade, you can speed that up by spraying wrinkly release etc

OR you can use a ticker material for the stars
42

Best of luck on your next Banner

PS I made the current NL Banner and honestly it was done in a hurry on my way to clan for the Kingdom vote.

I believe it can be done better
*if for example people use these Projects and build a new one...