My-Size Stars Quilt Tutorial

Haul out your scraps, or charm packs, or layer cakes, or even jelly rolls.  This quilt will put them to good use.  This design is special because it can use ANY size square you have on hand, or might wish to create.  Really. My sample blocks were sewn with charm (5-inch) squares, but the finished quilt shown below used 3-inch squares.  The directions are the same!

MY-SIZE STARS QUILT

NOTE:  All dimensions are in inches (“) and sewing assumes a 1/4” seam allowance.

DECISIONS

First you need to decide what size your base square will be.

 

Here is a little size information to get you started

Base Square Size	Finished Block Size
2 1/2 inches	3 1/2 inches
3 inches	4 1/2 inches
4 inches	6 1/2 inches
5 inches	8 1/2 inches
6 inches	10 1/2 inches

 Once you have settled on a block size, you need to decide how many blocks you need to build the quilt you have in mind.  Again, a few suggestions.

NOTE:  Don’t let all those numbers scare you. I am not totally happy with this chart, but wanted to have some suggestions.  The flexibility of this pattern leaves a lot of decisions to the imagination of the quilter.  That said, please let me know of any ideas you have to present the information more clearly.  Thanks!

	Throw	Twin	Queen
Base Square Size	Block layout/Finished size	Block layout/Finished size	Block layout/Finished size
2 1/2″	17×17, 59 1/2 x 59 1/2″	20×25, 70×87 1/2″	27×30, 94 1/2×105″
3″	13×13, 58 1/2 x 58 1/2″	16×20, 72 x 90″	21×23, 94 1/5″x103 1/2″
4″	9×9, 58 1/2 x 58 1/2″	11×13, 71 1/2 x 84 1/2″	15×17, 97 1/2 x 110 1/2″
5″	8×8, 68 x 68″	9×11, 76 1/2 x 93 1/2″	11×12, 93 1/2 x 102″
6″	6×6, 63 x 63″	7×9, 73 1/2 x 94 1/2″	9×10, 94 1/2 x 105″

 MATERIALS

Once you have decided the size of your base square and the number of blocks you need, multiply the number of blocks by six.  That is the total number of squares you will need to complete the quilt.  Half (three per block) will be light and half will be dark.

For example, if I were building a throw out of 5″ base squares, I need a total of 64 blocks, which, when multiplied by 6 equals 384.  Divide that in half.  I need 192 dark squares and 192 light squares. Clear as mud?

 

You will also need batting, backing and binding in accordance with the size of the quilt you finish.  If I can help in determining yardage, please let me know.

DIRECTIONS

Your base squares will be used three different ways:

1. As base squares.  No additional cutting required.

2. As half squares.  Each square is cut in half with a single cut.  This yields a bar shape.  For example, a five-inch square, cut in half, becomes two half squares that are 2 1/2″ x 5″.

3. As quarter squares.  Each square is cut in even quarters with two cuts.  This yields four small squares.  For example, a five-inch square, cut in quarters, becomes four quarter squares that are 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″.

There are two basic versions of the block:  light center and dark center.

For each “dark center” block you need

Dark:  1 base square,  8 quarter squares (two base squares, cut in quarters)

Light: 4 half squares (two base squares, cut in half), 4 quarter squares (one base square, cut in quarters).

For each “light center” block, you need the opposite

Dark: 4 half squares(two base squares, cut in half), 4 quarter squares (one base square, cut in quarters).

Light:  1 base square,  8 quarter square (two base squares, cut in quarters)

I cut all of my base squares first.  Then, as I was ready to piece each block, selected my six pieces, three light and three dark, and cut and laid them out.  That way I didn’t have too many small pieces floating around at once.

First, I built my flying geese-type shapes using the four half squares and the eight quarter squares.

Mark a diagonal line on the back of each of the eight quarter squares.  This is your stitching line.  Line each quarter square up with one end of each half square.  Stitch along stitching line.

Do the same with another quarter square on the other side.

Repeat for all four half squares.  Trim off corners 1/4″ away from stitching line.

Iron open.(Color change here, don’t be confused)

Prepare to assemble your blocks.

I like to sew my blocks into three strips first.

Then iron so your seam allowances will nest well.

Sew the three strips together and, ta-dah, a finished block.

The block goes together really easily once you get the hang of it.

I hope you will enjoy this tutorial and feel free to share anything you make using it.  Also, ask questions and give suggestions.  I want this to be as helpful and usable as possible and need all the help I can get. 🙂

*****MY SIZE STARS GALLERY*****

Pat Chubb’s Version

 

Butterfly Stars baby quilt

Julie’s Version