Sue's Sewing Stuff: Memorial Star

Originally known as Decoration Day, the practice of decorating graves of soldiers began with ladies of the south during the Civil War. By 1873, it was decided to make May 30^th as a day to honor those who died in the Civil War. After WWI, observances were held to honor all Americans who died in any war.

To remember the beginnings of Memorial Day, we chose Civil War reproduction fabrics. Please use the fabric s that has been provided as a reference for your fabric selections.

Memorial Star

12 1/2” unfinished block


#1 Fabric: Antique Eggshell Cut 4 3 1/2" X 3 1/2" Cut 1 7 1/2” X 7 1/2"	#3 Fabric: Blue and Off White Shirting: Cut 1 3 1/2" X 3 1/2"	#4 Fabric: Antique Eggshell Cut 4 2” X 2” Cut 1 4 1/2” X 4 1/2”
#2 Fabric: Dark Blue: Cut 4 4” X 4”		#5 Fabric: Civil War Red Cut 4 2 1/2” X 2 1/2”

Quick Method Flying Geese:

This method will allow you to make 4 geese at once. You can find tutorials on this all over the internet. My measurements are a little different as I prefer to square up my geese instead of them coming up short!

1. Draw a diagonal line on each of your #2 Dark Blue 4 inch squares.

2. Lay two of these dark blue squares right sides together (RST) on the #1 Antique Eggshell 7 1/2 inch square. Place the blue squares on opposite corners with the drawn lines lined up on the diagonal. Note: the dark squares will overlap slightly in the middle. Sew a scant 1/4 inch from the line across both dark blue squares. Repeat on the other side of the line.

3. Cut along the marked line and press toward the #2 Dark Blue triangles. You will have two units. Set one unit aside for a moment.

4. Place one of the remaining dark blue squares RST on the remaining corner of the antique eggshell triangle. The blue square will slightly overhang between the two dark blue triangles. Make sure the drawn diagonal line on the blue square lines up as shown below. Sew a scant 1/4 inch away from both sides of the marked diagonal line.

5. Cut along diagonal line, and press toward the dark blue triangle. You will have two units. Square up these units to 6 1/2" X 3 1/2". When squaring up your units, don’t cut off all the dark blue at the top of your Antique Eggshell triangle! Make sure you have 1/4 inch of dark blue at the top of your goose. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the second unit you set aside earlier. You will have 4 flying geese. How easy was that?

6. Repeat steps 1 – 5 with the #4 Antique Eggshell 4 1/2 inch squares and #5 Civil War Red 2 1/2 inch squares. Square up the flying geese units to measure 3 1/2” X 2”.