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Pretty Star Quilt

How do you like this pattern? It looks like it will take an awful lot of work and great attention to detail in order to get this one to look as wonderful as it looks in this photo.

Materials and Tools:
fabric – four 1/2-yard pieces for stars; 3/4 yard for border; 1/4 yard for binding
rotary cutter
quilter’s ruler
cutting mat

Figure ASteps:
1. Use your computer to help pick fabric colors. Fill in the design with different colors to decide the best strategy for your quilt.

2. For the 12 inch center star, cut:
one 6-1/2″ square (center)

four 3-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ rectangles (background)

eight 3-1/2″ squares (star points)

four 3-1/2″ squares (corners)
3. For the surrounding 24″ large star, cut:
four 6-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ rectangles (background)

eight 6-1/2″ squares (star points)

four 6-1/2″ squares (corners)
4. For the cornerstone stars, cut:
four 3-1/2″ squares (centers)

sixteen 2″ x 3-1/2″ rectangles (background)

thirty-two 2″ squares (star points)

sixteen 2″ squares (corners)
5. For the borders, cut:
four 6-1/2″ x 24-1/2″ border strips

Stitching Tip
It’s very important to use a 1/4-inch seam allowance for this quilt. If you’re teaching someone, have them sew a trial seam and measure it to ensure it’s the right size. If necessary, put a piece of masking tape on the machine to use as a 1/4-inch seam allowance guide.

Star Points
These instructions are the same for all star points in the quilt.
6. With right sides together, fold a star point square cut in step 3 in half diagonally, creating a triangle shape. Press by placing the iron flat against the seam. Don’t move the iron around. Just let the heat of it press the piece.

7. Open up the pressed star point fabric and place it right sides together with a background square. Pin and sew down the crease. If desired, prepare then chain piece all star points to save time. Trim off the excess fabric, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Figure B8. Open up the block stitched in step 6. Pin on a second star point square (with a center diagonal crease) right sides together. Stitch down the crease and trim excess leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Flip open to expose the star point. Note: The seams will cross at the point because of the seam allowance.

Figure CPiecing
9. Sew a star point to both sides of the center square with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sew corner squares to either side of the top and bottom star point units. Sew the three sections together to complete the 12-inch center star.

10. Sew corner pieces to either side of two of the star points. Sew remaining star points to both sides of the 12-inch center star, rendering three units. Stitch the three units together to finish the design.

Figure D11. Sew a border strip to the top and bottom of the large center unit. Sew a star cornerstone to the top and bottom of the two remaining border strips. Stitch the expanded border strips to either side of the center unit.

12. Make a sandwich from the quilt top, batting and backing, then baste with needle and thread, water-soluble quilt basting spray (in a well-ventilated area) or quilting safety pins. Mark the top with your choice of marking tool and quilt as desired. (The featured quilt used echo quilting, mimicking the star design.) Trim batting and stitch on binding.

Simply Quilts Tips:

When choosing blocks for novices, fewer seams mean less frustration.

Rotary cutters make many techniques possible, but can be dangerous when used improperly. Make sure your students know the rules of rotary cutting, including:

> Always close the rotary cutter when you set it down.
> Always cut away from the body, across the width of the fabric.
> Keep hands and fingers out of the way of the cutter and on the quilter’s ruler to secure it.
> Make sure the blade in the cutter is sharp and use a proper cutting mat.