How to Put Together a Feathered Star Quilt Block
Quilting has a rich history dating back to the early 1700s, and continues as a craft and heirloom activity today. Some popular patterns have been in existence for generations, and patchwork quilting became popular in the mid-1700s when cloth for quilting became hard to come by. The feathered star pattern appeared in the pioneer era when county fairs began to proliferate. A pattern of triangles formed together, the feathered star quilt block is large and requires only nine blocks to make a standard quilt face.
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Things You'll Need
- Base quilt fabric
- Quilt fabric in two other colors
- Scissors or fabric cutter and cutting ruler
- Thread
- Sewing machine or needle to hand sew
- Iron
Instructions
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1
Cut two 1 and 5/8 inch wide strips from your color 1 fabric to create the small diamonds for the star edges. Stack the two strips together one on top of the other. Lay one end of the stacked strips on the cutting ruler and cut a 45-degree angle at the end. Turn so you can cut from the other end, and realign with the 45 degree mark. Using the ruler as your guide, cut 45-degree angles at 1 and 5/8 intervals, making equilateral diamonds. Make four cuts, creating eight diamonds.
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2
Piece corner triangle half squares by stacking color 1 and color 2 1 and 7/8 inch strips, in two pairs, right sides together with the edges aligned. On the back of the top strips mark 1 and 7/8 inch square lines, then mark alternating diagonals on each square. Sew a scant 1/4 inch above the marked diagonals in one continuous seam from the upper left corner to the upper right corner. Turn and sew back a scant 1/4 inch on the other side of the marked diagonals. Cut apart on the marked diagonals, and on the 1 and 7/8 inch square lines. This creates 28 half-squares.
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3
Cut a color 2 1 and 7/8 inch by 7 and 1/2 inch strip into four 1 and 7/8 squares. Cut each of the square on the diagonal to make eight triangles. Using color 1 and color 2 2 inch by 36-inch strips, right sides together and stacked, mark 1 and 7/8 inch square lines using the cutting ruler. Then mark alternating diagonals on each square. Sew a scant 1/4 inch above the marked diagonals in a continuous seam from one end to the other, then turn and sew back a 1/4 scant inch on the other side of the marked diagonals as in the above step. Cut apart on the marked diagonal line and on the 1 and 7/8 square lines. You now have 36 1/2 half squares. Label these middle half squares.
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4
Open all squares and press the seams in the direction of the darker fabrics.
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5
Cut a color 2 2 inch by 8 inch strip into four 2 inch squares, then cut each square on the diagonal to make eight triangles. Now cut a color 2 6 and 1/8 inch by 24 1/2 strip into 4 6 1/8 inch squares. Next cut a color 2 11 and 1/4 inch square on the diagonal, stack the two triangles this creates, and cut again on the diagonal to make four quarter square triangles. Finally, cut a color 1 4 and 7/8 inch by 19 and 1/2 strip into four 4 7/8 inch squares. Stack and cut the squares on the diagonal, making eight inner triangles.
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6
To make corners of the block, sew four each of these two units; a diamond, a corner small triangle, and three corner half squares. Next, four corner half squares, a corner small triangle and a diamond. Sew the first unit to the top of a color 2 6 1/8 inch square. Sew the second unit to the right hand side. Make four of these, label them center units.
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7
To make the middle of the block sew four each of these two sections; a middle small triangle, then four middle half squares. Then five middle half squares, a middle small triangle. Sew the first unit to the left of a Color 2 quarter square triangle, leaving the end unstitched for now. Sew the second unit to the right side of the Color 2 quarter square triangle, also leaving the end of this one unstitched for now. Make four of these middle pieces, and then sew a Color 1 inner triangle to the upper left and then upper right corner of each middle piece.
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8
Piece the block together by sewing the pieces in columns beginning on the left. The first column will be a corner piece, a middle piece, and then another corner section. The second column consists of a middle piece, the extra color 1 8 1/2 inch square and another middle piece. The third and final column is a corner piece, a middle piece, and another corner piece. Lay these out to see the feathered star pattern come together, then sew these rows together. Finish off by sewing together any unsewn sections that were left during the creation of the section pieces.
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1
Tips & Warnings
This pattern is best visualized if this is the first time creating it. Use the reference provided to check drawings and diagrams of where the color pieces fit together for the best results.
References
- Photo Credit Blue and coral quilt block background image by Bluebird from Fotolia.com
