Stripes & Stars
Step-by-Step Block Tutorial
Welcome to our tutorial for the Stripes & Stars Quilt Block! This unique design was created here at Little Denmark Quilt Company, and we're excited to walk you through how to make it, step by step. These fabric requirements and instructions will create a tabletopper, appx. 26" square, by combining 9 blocks.
What You'll Need (makes 9 blocks)
- 1/2 Yard Fabric 1 - Background
- 1/4 Yard Fabric 2 - Center Squares & Sashing Posts
- 1/3 Yard Fabric 3 - Star Points
- 1/2 Yard Fabric 4 - Sashing and Border
- 6 Yards of Premade 2.5" Binding
- Finished block size: 6"
Cutting Instructions (Makes 9 blocks)
Cut the following pieces:
| Fabric 1 (Background | 6 - 2" x WOF Strips From These Strips Cut 36 - 2" Squares 36 - 2" x 3.5" Rectangles |
| Fabric 2 (Center Squares) | 1 - 3.5" x WOF Strips From This Strip Cut 9 -3.5" Squares From the scraps, you might be able to cut 4 - 2" Squares for Posts If necessary, cut 1 - 2" x WOF strip to cut the 4 squares |
| Fabric 3 (Star Points) | 4 - 2" x WOF Strips From These Strips Cut 72 - 2" squares |
| Fabric 4 (Sashing and Border) | 4 - 2" x WOF Strips for Outer Border (These will be cut to length in step 6) 2 - 2" x WOF Strips From These Strips Cut 12 - 2" x 6.5" Strips for Sashing |
| Premade 2.5" Binding (Accent) | 18 - 3.5" Pieces Cut these pieces in half lengthwise to make 36 - 3.5" x 1.25" pieces Iron these pieces in half lengthwise Save the remainder to bind your finished quilt top. |
Make 36 Flying Geese
Using the dark 2" squares and the background 2" x 3.5" Rectangles, make flying geese blocks by drawing a diagonal line, corner to corner, on the back of the squares. Combine with the background rectangles and sew on the marked line. Trim to 1/4" seam allowance, and press toward the dark piece.
Add Stripes to 9 Center Squares
Using the ironed pieces of the premade binding you made using the cutting instuctions, add one piece to all 4 sides of each center 3.5" square. Line up raw edges, and use a 1/8-scant 1/4" seam allowance. Add to side 1, then side 2, then 3, then 4, so that accent strips overlap on each end in a round about way.
Combine Pieces Into Rows
Using the center squares and the flying geese from previous steps, combine with the 2" background squares to make 3 rows.
Row 1 & 3 are made by adding a 2" square to each end of a flyng geese unit. Press seams toward the 2" squares.
Row 2 is made by adding a flying geese unit to opposite sides of the center square.
Press toward the flying geese units.
Combine Rows to Make Blocks
Combine the rows from Step 4, referring to the photo as needed for placement and orientation. Each unfinished block should measure 6.5". Press seams away from center row.
Add Sashing and Borders
To finish your 9 blocks, arrange them in a 3x3 layout. We will combine them with the 2" x 6.5" sashing strips and (4) 2" Post Squares of Fabric 2. Refer to the photos above as needed for placement.
First, add a sashing strip to 2 opposite sides of 3 blocks. These will become the center blocks of each row.
Add a block to each side of the center blocks from previous instruction, on the sashing side. You should now have 3 rows of 3 blocks, with sashing in between.
Now, make the sashing strips by combining 3 sashing 2"x6.5" pieces with 2 Post Squares (2"). Make 2 of these sashing strips.
Combine the 3 rows of blocks, alternating with 2 rows of sashing and posts, to complete your quilt center. The unfinished center should measure 22.5" square.
The final step to create your quilt top is to add the border strips. Add strips to the left and right first. These should be cut to 22.5" long, or whatever your finished measurement is.
Add the top and botttom border by measuring your top and cutting the remaining 2" border strips to size. This measurement should be appx. 26.5".
