How to Make a 3-color QST using the Tucker Trimmer ⋆ Quiltweb

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The 3-color Quarter Square Triangle block (also known as a 3-part or split QST) made with this method has a unique characteristic. It creates mirror-image blocks. When you are creating blocks, you need to either create two that are mirror images as in the stars below, or one that uses both blocks, as in the Growth Spurt block.

Let’s Make a Friendship Star Block

Assemble:

(8) 3-1/2″ Background Squares
(2) 3-1/2″ Batik Dots on Midnight Squares
(2) 4-1/2″ Blue Watercolor Squares
(2) 4-1/2″ Background Squares
(4) 4″ Tossed Floral on Midnight Squares
Tucker Trimmer 1 Ruler #DT03 for squaring up the blocks

This block is made from (4) QSTs, Quarter Square Triangles, which surround a center square. These QSTs are made from HSTs, Half-Square-Triangles, that are sewn together, then cut apart.

Pixie-Star-Draw a line on the diagonal — Step One

To make the HSTs you will need, place a 4-1/2″ Blue Watercolor square right sides together with a 4-1/2″ Background square.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of one square. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line. Cut on the line and press to the dark.

You will have made two HST blocks. Use this method to make (8) HSTs and square them up to 4″ using a Tucker Trimmer ruler.

Pixie-Star-squaring up the HST — Step Two – Notice how the Tucker Trimmer ruler will square up several different sizes.

Match an HST with a 4″ Batik Dots square, right sides together. Draw a line diagonally through the seam of the HST. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line. Cut on the line and press to the dark. You will have made (2) three-color QSTs.

Notice that these two blocks are mirror images. Keep them in separate groups, either Group A or Group B, so you can make two mirror image Friendship Star blocks. Make (16) and square up your blocks to 3-1/2″.

Pixie-Star-Mirror Images — These are mirror images

Pixie-Star-Square up several sizes — The Tucker Trimmer ruler will also square up blocks using 1/2″ sizes. There are three Tucker Trimmer rulers – the largest goes up to 12-1/2″.

Pixie-Star-Square up single ruler — Here is a single use ruler by Quilt it a Day. I do like this ruler, but you have to buy the whole set to get most of the sizes you will need.

These two star blocks are actually nine-patch blocks. Working with only one group at a time, sew an “A” QST between (2) 3-1/2″ Background squares. Be sure to keep the small Background triangle facing away from the center of the block. Make (4) rows
using the “A” blocks. Press as shown.

Sew an “A” QST to both sides of (2) 3-1/2″ Batik Dots Squares. Be sure to keep the small Background triangle facing away from the center of the block. Make (2) rows using the “A” blocks. Press as shown below.

Sew the rows into a nine-patch, turning the first row upside down to make the design. Make (2) blocks, press, and square up
to 9-1/2″. See above.

Pixie-Star-Large Tucker Trimmer — The Tucker Trimmer 3 will square
up blocks up to size 12-1/2″

Pixie-Star-CGR Ruler — The CGRSQ9 will square up blocks up to 9-1/2″.

Repeat this process with the “B” blocks. One star will swing to the right and the other will swing to the left, like the ones at the top of this page.

Here is a chart of HST and QST sizes.