Scrappy Stars Quilt has been in the making for quite sometime. I've had a vision in mind of what I wanted it to look like, and with lots of doubt and questioning of my vision, it took a lot longer than it should have!
I do love how it came out. The fabrics in each star and in each background hold a lot of memories for me, and for that I will always cherish this quilt.
To make Scrappy Stars, you can either use scraps, fat quarters, yardage, etc. or you can use precut charm packs or layer cakes.
MATERIALS
To make this quilt, you will need:
- 128 5" x 5" squares (or 2 1/4 yards total) in assorted colors for star blocks
- 128 5" x 5" squares (or 2 1/4 yards total) in neutral colors for background
- 1/2 yard for binding. I used Amy Butler's Twilight Vine in Linen
- 2 yards of 108" wide backing (or 4 yards regular width) fabric for the back. I used Modern Quilt Backing - Floral in Silver
- Batting at least 72" x 72"
- Thread
You will also need:
- A rotary cutter
- A rotary cutting ruler
- Cutting Mat
- Fabric scissors
- Fabric marking pen
- Pins
PATTERN
I wanted my quilt to be square, so I made a 4 x 4 layout. This layout requires 16 blocks with a finished size 16". The finished quilt size is 64" x 64".
CUT
Cut 128 5" x 5" from assorted colors. Now cut each square in half diagonally, to make 2 half square triangles. You will have 256 half square triangle pieces.
Cut 128 5" x 5" from neutrals. Now cut 64 squares in half diagonally, to make 2 half square triangles. You will have 64 squares and 128 half square triangle pieces.
From the binding fabric, cut 7 strips at 2 1/4' wide.
If you'd like, sort your half square triangles into color groups, like I did. I made six color groups - yellow, green, teal, blue, purple, and red.
Next, lay out the star block how you want it to look. Here is how I did most of mine:
I played around with the colors from block to block, so I didn't follow this color layout strictly. Have fun with it! Try a few different color layouts, see what you like best. I made one all yellow star block, and positioned it near the center. I call it my North Star.
Once you have a color layout that you like, snap a photo to look back on after you start piecing.
SEW
Now we will start piecing the half square triangles together. Start in the top row, with the first set of half square triangles. Lay the two triangles right sides together, so that all edges line up. Stitch down longest edge of the triangles, using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Repeat for each 'set' of half square triangles. To make this part a bit faster, you may choose to chain piece. To do this, simply start stitching the next set of triangles without cutting the threads from the previous stitched set. You don't even have to lift up your presser foot!
If you chose to chain piece, you should now have a long chain of triangle sets! Now, snip them apart. Make sure you only snip the threads, and not the fabric.
Press each triangle sets. I like to press these a total of four times. First, leave the piece as it is and press the stitching to relax it. Second, open up the triangles and press flat.
Third, press seams open. And fourth, press entire square for a nice finish.
Snip 'dog ears' off. Repeat for each set of stitched triangles.
Refer back to the photo you snapped of the block layout. It may be helpful to lay out the squares so you can see the whole block.
With right sides together, pin and sew the squares into rows using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Press seams, alternating the direction you press from row to row.
The top row is pressed to the left, second row is pressed to the right, third row is pressed to the left, and fourth row is pressed to the right. By pressing this way, we will be able to get a flat 'locked' seam when the rows are sewn together.
With right sides together, align bottom of row one with top of row two. Pin rows together, making sure the seams in each row are aligned and 'locked'.
Repeat for rows three and four. Stitch using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Press seams open.
Repeat with row 1 and 2 section and row 3 and 4 section.
You now have a completed star block! Repeat these steps for however many stars you want in your quilt. I made 16, with a 4 x 4 layout.
In the same manner the blocks were constructed, sew star blocks together to make rows. Sew rows together to complete the quilt top.
Quilt and bind using your favorite methods!
