Scrappy Quilt Tutorial

Here are some instructions on how to make these great 8 point stars that you often see in quilting. My whole quilt top was made with scraps from my stash (note: I have an obsession of trying to use up scraps!) But this would be really cute using coordinating fabrics as well. And, it's a nice pattern because you can make as many blocks as you want to increase or decrease the size of your quilt. It's a great quilt for beginners. I had a lot of fun making it and would do it over and over again in lots of different color combinations.

Here's the finished product (so you know what you're getting into.)

For each block, cut:

(8) 3 1/2" squares out of light fabrics

(8) 3 1/2" squares out of dark fabrics

(4) 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles out of light fabrics

(1) 6 1/2" square out of a dark fabric

(8) 1 1/2" x 17" strips of assorted colors

Step 1: Using a ball point pen or led pencil, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of 4 of your light squares and all 8 of your dark squares. Like so:

Step 2: Match up a dark square onto one end of a light rectangle. Pin in place and sew on the line. Repeat using 3 other dark squares & the other 3 light rectangles.

Cut a 1/4" seam allowance on the outside of your line.

Press seams towards dark fabric.

Repeat step 2 on the other end of the rectangles.

That is how you make a "Flying Geese" block. Now, sew 2 light squares (the ones without diagonal lines drawn on them) onto both ends of 2 of your Flying Geese blocks. You should have two units that look like this:

Step 3: Follow the same method with your 6 1/2" dark square and 4 light squares (the ones with the diagonal line drawn on.) Sew, trim and press squares on 2 opposite corners. Then do the other 2 opposite corners. You will have a unit that looks like this:

Step 4: Sew 2 Flying Geese units onto either side of this "Square in a Square" block. Following the picture below, sew all 3 strips together to form the scrappy star block.

This block should measure 12 1/2" square (unfinished.)

Step 5: Sew a strip of fabric onto opposite sides of your star block. Trim excess. Press seams towards strips. Repeat with the two remaining sides of your star.

Repeat step 5 so that you have two strips of fabric on each side of your star. Sorry, no picture of that! That entire unit should measure 16 1/2" (unfinished) after all 8 strips are sewn on.

Layout your 16 1/2" star blocks to your liking. Sew the blocks together to make rows, press seams in one direction. Sew the rows together and press seams. You can get creative with the borders. Hopefully I'll get mine done soon!