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Sawtooth Star Ornament with Applique Center Tutorial

Sawtooth Star Ornament with Applique Center Tutorial

Welcome to the 2017 Ornament Exchange & Blog Hop!

I can’t wait to share with you the Sawtooth Star Ornament with Applique Center that I made for my partner. 

This year, there are 47 amazing bloggers participating in the exchange.

The rules of the challenge were simple: be partnered with a fellow blogger, create a handmade ornament for $15 or under, create a tutorial, and ship the ornament off to a new home!

I was paired with the very sweet Nicki over at Sweet Parrish Place.

Nicki says her style is eclectic, modern yet polished casual which I think describes it perfectly. And while her taste trends to the more modern for every day… when it comes to Christmas she prefers the traditional colors of red and green to decorate her home.

What could be more traditional than a Christmas quilt, done in miniature!

I’ll get to the tutorial in a minute but first I want to introduce you to the other bloggers taking part in this year’s ornament exchange. You’re going to want to visit each and every one to gather ideas for ornaments to make this year… whether it’s for an ornament exchange you’re taking part in, to decorate your tree or to give as gifts.

2017 Ornament Exchange and Blog Hop

Meet the 2017 Ornament Exchange Hosts

Erlene ⋅ My Pinterventures Kim · Made In A Day Pili ⋅ My Sweet Things

Amanda · Domestically Creative Shirley · Intelligent Domesticatons

Michelle · Our Crafty Mom Beverly · Across the Blvd. Cindy ⋅ DIY Beautify

Christene · Key to Inspiration Nicki · Sweet Parrish Place Katrin ⋅ Kreativ K

Megan · C’mon Get Crafty Hilary · Raising Fairies and Knights

Emily · Two Purple Couches Tina · One Crafty Mess Marie · The Inspiration Vault

Debra · Shoppe No. 5 Trisha · Rosewood and Grace Jeanie · Create and Babble

Terri · Christmas Tree Lane Maureen · Red Cottage Chronicles Toni ⋅ Girl, Just DIY

Ula ⋅ Lulu & Celeste Sue ⋅ A Purdy Little House Pamela · Home On The Corner

Lorelai Life with Lorelai Debbie ⋅ Tweak and Style Stephanie ⋅ Swoodson Says

Chelc ⋅ Inside the Fox Den Susan ⋅ Super Mom – No Cape! Molly ⋅ Just a Little Creativity

Roseann ⋅ This Autoimmune Life Angela ⋅ Simply Beautiful by Angela

Vicki and Jenn ⋅ 2 Bees in a Pod Joanne ⋅ Our Unschooling Journey

Tylynn ⋅ Bitterroot DIY Sam ⋅ Raggedy Bits Mary ⋅ The Boondocks Blog

Cyn ⋅ Creative Cynchronicity Dione ⋅ Clever Chameleon Quilting Erica ⋅ Erica Ever After

Chelsea ⋅ Love Paper Crafts Evija ⋅ From Evija with Love Anne ⋅ Orange Bettie

Samantha ⋅ Little Bits of Home Hope ⋅ Hopes Crafty Niche Pam · P.S. I Love You Crafts

 

Now let’s get to the Sawtooth Star Ornament with Applique Center Tutorial!

I had so much fun coming up with the design for Nicki’s ornament!

While emailing back and forth, she mentioned that she doesn’t sew, which was perfect for me because I knew if I sewed an ornament for her, it would be a unique gift; something that she wouldn’t have made for herself.

I played around with a few ideas before settling on a quilted star ornament. The design goes by several different names… Sawtooth Star, Evening Star, Morning Star and perhaps even more.

And then to make it truly unique I added a cute applique to the center.

The ornament finishes at just 4½” square including the binding. The center block finishes at 2″ square…so that sleigh is tiny!

Photo of finished sawtooth star ornament with sleigh applique hanging in a tree.

In the tutorial, you’ll see the sleigh but there’s also a rocking horse, a stocking, a tree and a star. They will all be included in the downloadable pdf that can be accessed at the bottom of this post.

 

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Sawtooth Star Ornament with Applique Center Tutorial

 

To make one Sawtooth Star Ornament with Applique Center you will need:

  • 8″ square of White or light colored background fabric
  • 8″ square of Red or contrasting fabric of your choice
  • WOF (width of fabric) strip of fabric for the binding
  • 5½” square of cotton batting
  • 5½” square of fabric for the backing
  • Thread
  • Fusible web 
  • Red embroidery floss (or color to match the contrasting color you’ve chosen)

 

  • A cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, hand sewing needle 

Note: I wanted to make more than one ornament so I bought a fat quarter each of the white, red with stars, green holly, backing and binding fabric. 

From the fabric you’ll need to cut:

  • Four squares 1½” X 1½” of White
  • Four rectangles 1½” X 2½” of White
  • One square 2½” X 2½” of White
  • Eight squares 1½” X 1½” of Red (or your choice of contrasting fabric)

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 1. Cut background and contrast fabrics

On the wrong side of each of the 1½” red squares draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 2. draw diagonal line on each small contrast square

Pin one red square to one white rectangle with the diagonal line going in the directions indicated in the photo below.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 3. Pin small contrast square to background rectangle

Begin stitching at the bottom left of the rectangle and sew towards the top.

For this seam, you’ll want to stitch just to the right of the drawn line in. If you look closely at the photo below, you’ll see that the needle is going into the fabric on the right side of the line.

If you stitch directly on the line, when you flip the red triangle up, it won’t be square with the white background fabric.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 4. Stitch slightly to the right of the drawn line

Press the triangle towards the top of the rectangle

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 5. Press triangle towards the top of the rectangle

Flip the block over. See that that little bit of red sticking out? 

If you notice something like that on your blocks… trim it off to keep the block squared up.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 6. Flip the block over and trim if necessary

Now that your block is square again, fold the pressed triangle back down and trim the seam allowance to one quarter inch.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 7. Trim seam allowance to one quarter inch

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 7a. Photo of trimmed seam allowance

After this first step is done, the blocks will look like this:

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 8. Blocks with one corner of the flying geese sewn on

Next, pin the remaining red squares to the opposite corner of the rectangle, with the drawn line going in the opposite direction that you pinned the first 4 red squares.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 9. Pin other small square to the opposite corner of the rectangle

Sew from the bottom right hand corner towards the top of the rectangle.

This time you’ll need to sew to the left of the drawn line.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 10. Sew slightly to the left of the drawn line

Press and trim as previous described.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 11. Press and trim as previous described

You have now created 4 flying geese blocks.

Lay out all the blocks as shown to form a star.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 12. Lay out block as shown to form a star

Flip the blocks on the right over onto the middle blocks.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 13. Flip the blocks on the right over onto the middle blocks

Sew with a ¼” seam allowance.

Quick tip: Here’s a little trick I learned in order to avoid cutting off the point of those flying geese when sewing the blocks together. 

First… sew with the flying geese block on top. See the little arrow in the photo?

It’s pointing to where the two seams cross each other. Sew just to the right of that intersection.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 14. Sew slightly to the right of the pointNow usually when pressing quilt blocks you are instructed to press towards the darker color. But in this case I’m going to tell you to press towards the lighter fabric.

To do this, place the blocks on your pressing surface with the white facing up.↑

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 15a. Press towards the lighter fabric by having it facing up

Flip the white block up and press. Repeat for the other two blocks.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 15b. Press towards the lighter fabric

Your star should look like this now.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 16. Lay out the blocks as shown

Flip the blocks on the left over on to the center blocks.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 17. Flip blocks on the left over onto center blocks

Sew using a ¼” seam allowance.

Don’t forget about that trick to avoid cutting off the points. 🙂

Now you have three rows sewn together.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 18. Three rows sewn together

Flip the top row down on to the middle row.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 19. Flip top row down onto middle row

Pin, making sure to nest the seams. Sew using a ¼” seam allowance.

Two rows sewn together:

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - 20. Two rows sewn together

Flip the bottom row up on to the center row.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 21. Flip bottom row up onto center row

Sew and press.

And there you have it… the sawtooth star block is complete.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 22. Finished block

Now it’s time to add that cute little applique!

To add the applique to the center of the block of the Sawtooth Star Ornament:

Trace the applique shape on fusible web. I use Heat N Bond Light Fusible Web.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 23. Trace applique shape on fusible web

For this block I chose the sleigh.

Cut out the applique sleigh leaving a bit of paper around the edges.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 24. Cut out applique sleigh

Fuse it to the wrong side of the contrasting fabric.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 26. Fuse shape to wrong side of fabric

Allow it to cool and then cut out along the traced lines of the sleigh.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 25. Cut out along the traced lines of the sleigh

A small embroidery scissors will help to cut around the curves.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 27a. Cut out shape

Scratch a small X in the paper backing.

This will make it easier to remove the paper backing without damaging or fraying the fabric.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 27. Scratch a small X in the paper backing

Place the sawtooth star block on point and fuse the shape in place.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 28. Place star block on point and fusible the shape in place

Blanket stitch around the applique shape.

I chose to do this by hand but feel free to use the blanket stitch on your sewing machine if you prefer.

And if you prefer to do neither, use Heat N Bond Ultra instead of the Heat N Bond Lite for the fusible web.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 29. blank stitch around applique shape

Pin the block to the batting and backing.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 30. Pin block to batting and backing

Quilt as desired. I did a simple stitch-in-the-ditch.

Trim and square up the block to 4½”.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament 31. Trim and Square up block

Sew on the binding using your preferred method.

Thread an embroidery needle with #20 Pearl Cotton Thread and add a hanging loop in the top corner of the binding.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - Add hanging loop

I made 5 ornaments in total.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - Five finished ornaments

These three were mailed off to my partner, Nicki as I felt that they turned out the nicest.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - Three finished ornaments

And the other two will go on our tree this year.

Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament - Two finished ornaments

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that you’ll give making one (or more) Sawtooth Stars Ornaments a try.

 

Want a downloadable copy of this tutorial complete with the applique patterns? The PDF can be purchased in my shop for $5.00.

Click the link below to add to your cart and then click checkout:

If you make some, please post it on your favorite social media and be sure to tag me. I’d love to come see.

On Instagram I’m @supermomnocape, @1SuperMomNoCape on Twitter and @1SuperMomNoCape on Facebook.

And of course, I’d love it if you followed me as well. 🙂

 

 

FIND ALL 47 HANDMADE ORNAMENT TUTORIALS BELOW AND SHARE YOURS TOO! Use Hashtag #2017OrnamentExchange so we can see your creations on social media.


 

 

Save this Sawtooth Star Ornament with Appliqué Center Tutorial for future reference please click on the Pinterest button underneath the post.

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Sawtooth Star with Applique Center Ornament Tutorial

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34 Comments

  • Hil
    December 6, 2017 2:19 pm

    That looks so elegant and beautiful!

    I love all the ideas I get from the ornament exchange each year!

    • Super Mom No Cape
      December 13, 2017 1:58 pm

      Thank you so much Hil! I loved see all the ornaments in the ornament exchange too. So many of them went on my must make list.

  • Debbie Lynn Pearl
    December 6, 2017 7:41 am

    I am in awe of your sewing skills and what you created! Great tutorial…and I love your blog’s name…haha!!

    • Super Mom No Cape
      December 13, 2017 2:00 pm

      Thanks so much Debbie! What a sweet comment and compliment!

  • Beverly
    November 30, 2017 11:22 pm

    These are lovely! The detail is amazing. I love the rocking horse. I’m sure your partner loves them!

    • Super Mom No Cape
      December 13, 2017 8:59 pm

      Thank you sooo much Beverly! The rocking horse is my favorite and I’m going to be making one for our tree too.

  • Emily
    November 27, 2017 11:56 pm

    These are so pretty, and I love the appliqué shapes you added to the centers!

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 29, 2017 8:10 am

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Emily! The applique shapes in the centers are fun, aren’t they! 🙂

  • CathieJ
    November 26, 2017 7:42 am

    This is wonderful. Not only do I get some great tutorials, but I also have several more blogs to explore. At first I thought you were making potholders, but these little star ornaments are really pretty. I think I have enough fabric (LOL) to make a few of them.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 29, 2017 8:20 am

      Thank you so much Cathie! I’ve got several more cut out to make because like you, I have more than enough fabric to make a few. 🙂

      The ornament exchange was so much fun to take part in and you’re right, it was fun to discover new blogs to explore. I’ve already added lots of ornaments to my must make list in the new year.

  • Erlene
    November 24, 2017 7:48 pm

    I know this took a bit of time to make since everything is tiny. Such a thoughtful and beautiful ornament. Thanks for sharing your tutorial on the #2017OrnamentExchange.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 29, 2017 8:23 am

      Thank you sooo much Erlene for your lovely compliment! And thank you too for all the work put into organizing the ornament exchange for all of us. I can’t wait to take part again next year!

  • Debrashoppeno5
    November 19, 2017 9:38 pm

    How cute these are. The detail work is so amazing. They look great.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 20, 2017 4:30 pm

      What a sweet compliment, Debra. Thank you!

  • evija
    November 17, 2017 7:57 am

    Oh wow, you did such an amazing job with this ornament.. I don’t think I would have the patience! 🙂 Absolutely stunning I would be so happy to have them on my tree !! #2017OrnamentExchange

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 20, 2017 9:56 am

      Thanks so much for your lovely comment and compliment Evija!

  • Mother of 3
    November 17, 2017 7:31 am

    These are so cute! Pinned.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 20, 2017 9:49 am

      Thank you Mother of 3!

  • Roseann Hampton
    November 16, 2017 8:22 pm

    I love your ornaments! I’m pinning to make some for myself! These will look perfect on my tree!

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 18, 2017 2:44 am

      Thanks so much Roseann! I’d love to see photos of them!

  • Joy McDonald
    November 16, 2017 1:45 pm

    Very very cute! And I’m also thinking make them bigger and turn them into potholders… 🙂 xx

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 18, 2017 2:42 am

      Thank you Joy! Making them bigger to use as potholders is a great idea!

  • Natasha
    November 16, 2017 12:07 pm

    These are adorable! “Cute” is the perfect word as others already said, hehe.
    Thanks for sharing tge tutorial. They are on my list to make this month. Love to make a new ornament each year for gifts.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 16, 2017 1:16 pm

      Thanks so much Natasha! After you’ve made them, I hope you’ll tag me so I can come see… though I know that if they’re Christmas gifts that won’t be until after the 25th. 🙂

  • Rachel
    November 16, 2017 11:46 am

    Have fun, all of you!

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 16, 2017 1:14 pm

      Thank you Rachel. This was a really fun exchange to take part in. In addition to my partner, I discovered some really cool blogs and bloggers.

  • mary
    November 16, 2017 10:36 am

    Those are so cute. I like the little applique in the middle. Thanks for the tutorial.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 16, 2017 1:13 pm

      Thank you Mary. The little applique was my favorite part. 🙂

  • Colette
    November 16, 2017 9:04 am

    Oh these are so very cute. You did a wonderful job.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 16, 2017 1:11 pm

      Thank you so much Colette!

  • Kate
    November 16, 2017 7:09 am

    Susan, these are beautiful!! Thanks so much for the tutorial. Small pieces are a challenge to me but I keep trying.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 16, 2017 1:11 pm

      Thanks you so much Kate! Small pieces can be a challenge. I find the key is just to go slow and while I know not everyone does, but I like to pin. It helps to hold things in place.

  • Dione Gardner-Stephen
    November 16, 2017 6:54 am

    Oh Susan! These little quilted ornaments are just the cutest things! I just might have to make one….. but which appliqué to choose??! I think perhaps the rocking horse….. but what a lovely dilemma to have. 🙂 Thanks for such a wonderful tutorial.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      November 16, 2017 1:09 pm

      Thank you so much Dione! It is hard to choose. In fact, I’ve decide I need to make another set so I can have them all on my tree. 🙂

Comments are closed.