The first block I have chosen is the Rising Star block.  Of course, this is not the actual size but the block is intended to be 12 inch finished and 12 ½ inch with seam allowance.  The block is attributed to Ruth Finley who wrote about it in a book entitled Old Patchwork Quilts and the Women Who Made Them  published in 1929.  It is also called Stars and Squares by the Ladies Art Company #11 which indicates that it was printed in 1895 and possibly as early as 1889.  The research comes from Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns.
 

Cut four background squares 3.5 by 3.5 inches.
Cut one medium print square for the center star square 3.5 by 3.5 inches.

Cut eight dark squares 3.5 by 3.5—these will be used to make the triangle shapes by laying the rights side together over the rectangle sewing on the diagonal like this  \  and /  from one corner to the other and then flipping the triangle back.  Now you have a “goose unit” template free. Trim back a quarter inch from seam and flip the dark fabric back.  Or better yet, use Mary Ellen Hopkins plan and DON’T trim it so you have more accuracy in the actual size of the block—your choice.

Cut eight light squares 2 by 2 inches to be used for the star points in the inner star.

Cut four rectangles 3.5 by 6.5 inches of background fabric for the larger triangle units base.
Cut four rectangles 2 by 3.5 inches for the inner star base of the “goose unit” using background fabric or your choice.
 
 
 
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