Big Star Quilt
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Finished size: 42½ by 42½ inches. This simple quilt has just 28 pieces to sew together, plus the border. What could be easier? For a scrappy look, make the star in 8 different fabrics. It can also be made in 2 or 4 fabrics. Choose 2 color families (for example, blue & gold, big prints & little prints), and select 1 to 4 fabrics in each color family. E.g. 4 blues and 4 golds or 2 big prints and 2 little prints. The fabrics in one color family need to have visible contrast with the fabrics in the second color family so that the points of the star are visible. |
Visit the Big Star Quilt Photo Gallery.
Fabric and Cutting:
40" usable fabric width assumed.
| Fabric | Amount Needed | Cutting |
|---|---|---|
| Star fabric -- scrappy look |
Color Family A: 4 different scraps, each at least 10" square. | Cut one 9-7/8" square from each of the 4 fabrics. Cut each square in half on the diagonal once to make 8 triangles. |
| Color Family B: 4 different scraps each at least 10" square. | Cut one 9-7/8" square from each of the 4 fabrics. Cut each square in half on the diagonal once to make 8 triangles. | |
| Background fabric - should contrast with all star fabrics | 5/8 yard. |
Cut four 9-7/8" squares. Cut each square in half on the diagonal once to make 8 triangles. Cut four 9½" squares. |
| Border fabric - should contrast with the background fabric | ½ yard. |
Cut four strips that are 3½" wide by the width of the fabric. |
| Backing fabric | 1 5/8 yard. |
Cut backing fabric on the diagonal from corner to corner. Shift the 2 triangles along the diagonal, moving the 2 wide ends closer together, until the width is about 48" and the length is about 47". Sew together on the diagonal and trim the small triangle off each end. For more detailed directions see Free Lessons at Flynn Quilt Company. Scroll down to "Diagonal Pieced Back." |
| Binding fabric | 3/8 yard. |
Cut five strips 2½" wide by the width of the fabric. |
| For a more planned look, substitute one of the following for the star fabric | ||
| Star fabric -- 4 fabrics |
Color Family A: 2 different fat quarters. | Cut two 9-7/8" squares from each fat quarter. Cut each square in half on the diagonal once to make 8 triangles. |
| Color Family B: 2 different fat quarters. | Cut two 9-7/8" squares from each fat quarter. Cut each square in half on the diagonal once to make 8 triangles. | |
| Star fabric -- 2 fabrics |
Color A: 3/8 yard. | Cut four 9-7/8" squares. Cut each square in half on the diagonal once to make 8 triangles. |
| Color B: 3/8 yard. | Cut four 9-7/8" squares. Cut each square in half on the diagonal once to make 8 triangles. | |
Instructions:
- All seams are ¼" wide.
- Refer to the assembly diagram. If you are using 4 fabrics for the star, arrange your triangles so that the star points from the same fabric have 3 other star points between them.
- Use half the triangles from each star fabric to make the 4 squares in the center of the quilt. Match each triangle from color family A with a triangle from color family B and sew the long sides together to make a square. Be careful to not stretch the long bias edges.
- Sew each remaining star triangle to a background triangle to make 8 squares.
- Arrange your squares as shown in the assembly diagram. Sew together in rows, then sew the rows together.
- Attach the first border strip. -- Position one end of the border strip just beyond an edge of the quilt. Start stitching at that edge and end stitching before you reach the opposite edge. Trim the border even with the edge of the quilt where you started stitching. Leave the other end loose. It will be longer than the quilt top.
- Attach the second border strip. -- The second border strip is attached to the edge that has the end of the first border strip attached and trimmed even with the edge. It is sewn across the end of the first border strip and the edge of the quilt top. After stitching, trim the ends even with the edge of the previous border on one end and the edge of the quilt top on the other end.
- Continuing around the sides of the quilt, attach the remaining 2 border strips the same way the second border strip is attached.
- Sew the free end of the first border strip to the rest of the first edge of the quilt top and the end of the fourth border strip. Trim the edge even with the edge of the fourth border strip. Your top is done.
Finishing
- Option 1 - Layer the backing, batting and top and baste. Quilt or tie as desired. Bind your quilt and you are done.
- Option 2 - finish with the pillowcase method and skip the binding. Layer the batting, backing (right side up) and top (wrong side up). Sew through all 3 layers around the outside of the quilt top using a ¼" seam. Leave about 8" unsewn along one edge. Trim the back and batting even with the edge of the top. Turn the quilt right side out. Sew the opening shut and top stitch about ¼" from the outer edge all the way around. Quilt or tie as desired.
