Layer Cake or Charm Pack for Christmas Stars

This post contains bonus cutting guides for the Stargazer Quilt Block Tutorial. For the original tutorial and piecing guide click here. 

When I worked out the math for the Stargazer blocks, I did it with layer cakes and charm packs in mind. I like using as much of the fabric as possible in as few cuts as possible. If there are extras, I know I'm more likely to use them for other projects if they are usable sizes. So with that in mind, here is a way you can cut out your pieces either from layer cakes, or charm packs.

I used a layer cake of Cherry Christmas by Aneela Hoey for my Christmas Stars quilt.

For each block you will need:

Star Fabric
(1) 4.5" x 4.5" square
(8) 2.5" x 2.5" squares

Background Fabric
(8) 4.5"x4.5" squares

USING A LAYER CAKE
A layer cake is a pre-cut stack of ten inch squares. You will need one layer cake square plus background fabric for each star. If you cut carefully, you will have enough fabric for your stars and a bonus stack of five inch squares for your stash.

USING CHARM PACKS

A charm pack is a pre-cut stack of five inch squares. You will need three matching charm squares plus background fabric to make each star block.

There is one more trick to make piecing your quilt top even faster. Instead of diagonally marking each squares, place a piece of painters tape in line with your needle to use as a piecing guide. I also use this technique when making flying geese and snowball blocks.

Note: I originally posted this video on Instagram and in order to make it fit, I had to speed it up. I don't really sew this fast!

Finished Quilt: Sunny Stargazer

Here is my third and final quilt for Jacob's Heart.  I had a few extra blocks from making the Baby Stargazer quilt and it didn't take long to piece a few more.  It only takes 12 blocks to make a small quilt.  Aren't teal and yellow good together?  I don't think I will ever get tired of this color combo.

I have a confession.  The day I went shopping for backing fabric, I was one tired Mama.  I headed over to Julie's shop and I was having the hardest time choosing a fabric.  It was one of those days and as silly as it sounds now, it was almost too much.  Julie rescued me by suggesting this print from Notting Hill by Joel Dewberry and it was so perfect!  I  was so relieved, I think I might have hugged her.  Yep, I'm a hugger.  : )

To keep it crinkly and snuggly, I quilted it with an allover stipple.  I had one last piece of Quilter's Dream batting that was just big enough for this quilt.  It's so wonderful, especially fresh out of the dryer.  Oh man, heaven!!

Name: Sunny Stargazer
Size: 36"x48"
Quilt Pattern: Stargazer by Adrianne Ove
Pieced and Quilted by: Adrianne Ove
May 2013

Quilting the Stargazer Quilt

(top view)

(back view)

After finishing the baby quilt last week, I was feeling a little guilty that my son's quilt (using the same pattern) was not done yet. It needed to be quilted and I decided to practice my swirls. It is getting easier, and I found pockets where I would get into a good groove. Then I would get stuck. I used the needle down function so I could stop and figure out where to go next. At one point, I sewed right over a basting pin that I didn't see and broke my needle. Whoops! Let's not do that again.

I really like the swirls, it has a rhythm to it that is more enjoyable than straight line quilting. Also, I think it adds a whimsical, dreamy quality to these stars. A hidden benefit is the workout it gave my arms. Quilting... oh yeah, feel the burn!

Stargazer Quilt Block Tutorial

I love this quilt by Monica Solorio-Snow of Happy Zombie. When I saw Constealltions by Lizzy House, I knew it had to be made into a star quilt!  To make the blocks even more graphic, I removed the borders and reversed the colors. Then, I wanted to resize it to make a 12" block. Here are my measurements and a step by step guide to the block construction.

For each star you will need the following:
   (8) 4.5"x4.5" colored squares
   (1) 4.5"x4.5" white square
   (8) 2.5"x2.5" white squares

Draw a diagonal line across each 2.5"x2.5" white square.

Place one 2.5"x2.5" white square on top of one 4.5"x4.5" colored square. Sew along the marked line.

Trim 1/4" away from the sew line. Press.

Place another 2.5"x2.5" white square in the opposite corner. Sew along marked line.

Trim 1/4" away from the sew line.

Press and repeat to make four.  These are your star points!

Arrange your pieces as shown below.

Sew together into three rows.

Join rows to complete block.

I used 12 fat quarters for my Stargazer quilt. The finished quilt measures 48"x72". If you use the full 18" of your fat quarter, you can get enough squares to make two stars. A cutting guide and fabric requirements for additional sizes are included in the free project sheet.

Printable Version

UPDATE: I've added a bonus cutting guide for using Layer Cakes and Charm Packs.

Stargazer, A Quilt Top

Eeek!  I finshed my Stargazer quit top.  This sewing stuff is fun!!  : )

I stopped by Julie's today to get some more Constellations for the back. My own little stargazer has been excited watching his quilt come together. He has requested matching pillowcases. Awww.

The top measures 48"x 72". There has been a few questions about how to make the stars, so I'm writing up a quick tutorial to share with you.

I've been procrastinating basting and my quilt tops are starting to stack up. You know it's bad when your non-quilting husband comments, "you are the queen of quilt tops!".  Well, at least he's paying attention, right?

FABRIC USED:

• Constellations by Lizzy House for Andover
• Bella in Bleached White by Moda
• Cotton Couture in Grass and Mint by Michael Miller Fabrics
• Kona Coal by Robert Kaufman (I think)

On the design wall: Constellations by Lizzy House

I was so excited to be able to cut into my stack of Constellations by Lizzy House this weekend. It's been waiting patiently on the work table. Pressed and everything! My notebook filled up with so many ideas that I had a hard time narrowing it down to one.

My son got a telescope for Christmas and we've been reading and talking about the stars and moon phases a lot. So of course I thought of stars. I kept the blocks big and graphic to really show off the fabric. Each star measures 12". The reversed layout also plays up the contrast of the stars. I LOVE this line so much. Especially the constellation prints.

The working title for this quilt is "Stargazer".

Luckily, I got to spend the afternoon sewing with my guild. All my fat quarters were cut up and the star points were made, but I ran out of time to assemble the blocks. I've been working on it a little here and there and it's starting to come together. Yay!