Fluttering Star Baby Quilt - Lesson 1 - the Pattern
QuiltingCoach Penny
This is a fun-filled quilt that is made from two traditional blocks -- Spring Star and Flutter Wheels. They are set on point, which makes them a little more interesting than if they were just lined up square in rows. And placing the Spring Star blocks in the center make an interesting center design for the quilt. This is an example of how you can take some very simple traditional quilt blocks and create an interesting quilt, just by making some easy changes. Flutter Wheels
This is a simple 9 patch quilt block, made of 5 pinwheels and 4 squares. There are only 2 pattern templates -- a half-square triangle and a square. In fact, you can cut the squares using only your rotary cutter, and not the template. The half-square triangles can be cut from strips using your rotary cutter. However, you will still probably want to use the template as a guide for your cutting.
Spring Star
This is a little more complicated 9 patch. The complication is not in the pieces per se, it is that each patch in the block requires piecing, and several are triangles that are sewn on the bias. In piecing this block, you will want to take care that you don't stretch the bias edges out of shape otherwise your block will be misshapen. There are several template pieces for this block, including half-square triangles, squares, and right angle triangles to make up the isosceles triangles. The squares can easily be cut from strips without using a template. However, you will probably want to use templates to cut the triangles. As you cut the right angle triangles, you will need to be sure to cut half with the right side of the fabric facing the template and half with the wrong side of the fabric facing the template. Your pattern will include both triangles. Inner Border
The inner border is pieced with these isosceles triangles to carry on with the theme of the points in the Spring Star. These points are somewhat easier to sew since the center triangle is all one piece. As you cut the right angle triangles (the green fabric in the picture above), you will need to be sure to cut half with the right side of the fabric facing the template and half with the wrong side of the fabric facing the template. Your pattern will include both triangles.
Large Triangles The large triangles (purple) fill in the spaces to create a rectangle. Since these are simple right angle triangles, there is no pattern template for them. Using the edges of your blocks, you will measure and then determine how large these triangles should be. Fabric Requirements The fabric requirements for the quilt as shown are:
Block |
Color of Fabric |
Yardage |
Flutter Wheel |
White |
3/8 |
Flutter Wheel & Outer Border |
Blue |
1 |
Flutter Wheel & Inner Border |
Green |
3/4 |
Spring Star & Inner Border |
Dark Yellow |
1/2 |
Spring Star |
Lavender |
1/8 |
Spring Star |
Light Yellow |
1/8 |
Spring Star |
Medium Yellow |
1/8 |
Spring Star, Triangles & Cornerstones |
Purple |
1 |
Shopping for Fabric
This quilt marked a milestone in organization for me. I had printed out the picture of the quilt, and the fabric requirements. As I selected fabric at the quilt shop, I placed a little check mark on the fabric in the layout.
Then when I was ready to have the fabric cut, I turned to the sheet with the fabric requirements. I purchased extra fabric of each color just to be sure I would have enough.
Fabric for the backing will be purchased later.
To follow along as we make this quilt, Join TheQuiltingCoach.com
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
TheQuiltingCoach
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