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RBD Block Challenge 2025 - Week 6: Starburst
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Personal Insights: Spark Creativity with Starburst
Working on the Starburst block was such an exciting challenge! Its sharp angles and vibrant structure reminded me of the joy and energy quilting brings to our lives. For my version, I selected fabrics from my It Takes a Village collection, using bold and cheerful prints to emphasize the dynamic starburst effect.
Piecing the HRTs was a satisfying process that allowed me to experiment with color placement and contrast, giving the block a lively, dimensional look. I can’t wait to see how your blocks shine!
This Week’s Block: Starburst
Starburst is a 10" x 10" finished block that combines Half Rectangle Triangles (HRTs), Half Square Triangles (HSTs), and pieced rectangles into a striking, radiant design. Amber’s thoughtful layout encourages quilters to play with bold colors and angles, making this block a true standout in the quilt.
My Take on the Block
Here’s how I brought my Starburst block to life:
- Fabric Choices: I used It Takes a Village by Jennifer Long for Riley Blake Designs, pairing vibrant coral and cool teals with soft neutral accents for balance.
- Highlighting Movement: Careful color placement in the HRTs created a dynamic sense of motion radiating outward from the center.
Tips for Success: - When piecing HRTs, mark your diagonal lines precisely and use a ruler to ensure accurate trimming.
- Press seams carefully to reduce bulk and keep points sharp.
- A rotating cutting mat makes trimming the HRTs to the template size much easier.
Fabrics I used:
- It Takes a Village by Jennifer Long, Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs
- Confetti Cottons by Riley Blake Designs
Quilting Together
The Starburst block is the perfect opportunity to try something new and add a bold, eye-catching design to your quilt. I’d love to see how your versions come to life—whether you choose high-contrast colors or a softer palette, this block will shine!
Share your progress with me on Instagram and tag @sewastory, @alderwoodstudio, @rileyblakedesigns, and #RBDblockchallenge so we can cheer each other on. Let’s keep quilting and inspiring one another!
What is the RBD Block Challenge?
The Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge is a free quilt-along featuring 16 unique blocks designed by Riley Blake’s talented team of designers.
- New blocks released every Tuesday through May 27, 2025.
- Perfect for all skill levels, with helpful resources along the way.
- Completely free to participate!
Find all the details and resources here:
Let’s keep building something beautiful together, one block at a time. I can’t wait to see your Starburst blocks!