Stars Stripes Quilt Tutorial

The first 2 pictures are the block I call Stars and Stripes. Neither of these pictures had links to additional information. The first picture has notes showing cut sizes for the fabrics. These cuts make a 12″ block using 4-patches, flying geese and squares.

I chose to make a 16″ block and use strip piecing. Here are the instructions I wrote. This makes a quilt about 64″ x 80″ finished. There are 20 blocks.

Fabric Requirements
Red – 1 yard

White – 3 yards

Blue – 3-1/2 yards, includes binding

You will need (3) one-gallon size Ziploc™ or store brand plastic zipper bags. Number bags 1, 2 and 3.

Cutting the Stars Stripes Quilt
From the Red Fabric Cut:

Cut 12 strips @ 2-1/2″ x WOF. Place in Bag 3.

From the White Fabric Cut:

Cut 3 strips @ 4-1/2” x WOF.
Sub cut to 20 squares for star center. Place in Bag 1.
Cut 5 strips @ 2-1/2” x WOF.
Sub cut to 80 squares for corners. Place in Bag 2.
Cut 3 strips @ 5-1/4” x WOF.
Sub cut to 20 squares for flying geese background. Place in Bag 2.
Cut 7 strips @ 2-7/8” x WOF.
Sub cut to 80 squares for flying geese points. Place in Bag 1.
Cut 3 strips @ 2-1/2” x WOF. Place in Bag 3.
Cut 3 strips @ 4-1/2” x WOF. Place in Bag 3.
Cut 3 strips @ 6-1/2” x WOF. Place in Bag 3

From the Blue Fabric Cut:

Cut 3 strips @ 4-1/2” x WOF.
Sub cut to 20 squares for star center. Place in Bag 2.
Cut 5 strips @ 2-1/2” x WOF.
Sub cut to 80 squares for corners. Place in Bag 1
Cut 3 strips @ 5-1/4” x WOF.
Sub cut to 20 squares for flying geese background. Place in Bag 1
Cut 7 strips @ 2-7/8” x WOF.
Sub cut to 80 squares for flying geese points. Place in Bag 2.
Cut 3 strips @ 2-1/2” x WOF. Place in Bag 3.
Cut 3 strips @ 4-1/2” x WOF. Place in Bag 3.
Cut 3 strips @ 6-1/2” x WOF. Place in Bag 3.
Cut 8 strips @ 2-1/2” x WOF for binding. Place in Bag 3.

White Star Unit, Bag 1

Piece the white stars with the blue background. In Bag 1 you should have the following:

White Fabric:

20 squares @ 4-1/2” – star center.
80 squares @ 2-7/8” – flying geese star points.

Blue Fabric:

80 squares @ 2-1/2” for star unit corners
20 squares @ 5-1/4” for flying geese background.

Using the 80 squares of white fabric and 20 squares of blue fabric, piece 20 flying geese units following the instructions, Four At A Time Flying Geese.

Using 4 of the blue corner squares, 4 of the flying geese units and one of the white star centers, piece a unit as shown below.

Blue Star Unit, Bag 2

Piece the blue stars with the white background. In Bag 2 you should have the following:

Blue Fabric:

20 squares @ 4-1/2” – star center.
80 squares @ 2-7/8” – flying geese star points.

White Fabric:

80 squares @ 2-1/2” for star unit corners
20 squares @ 5-1/4” for flying geese background.

Using the 80 squares of blue fabric and 20 squares of white fabric, piece 20 flying geese units following the instructions, Four At A Time Flying Geese.

Using 4 of the blue corner squares, 4 of the flying geese units and one of the white star centers, piece a unit as shown below.

Stripes Unit, Bag 3

The stripes units are piece using the strip piecing technique. In Bag 3 you should have the following:

Red Fabric:

12 strips @ 2-1/2”

White Fabric:

3 strips @ 2-1/2” x WOF.
3 strips @ 4-1/2” x WOF.
3 strips @ 6-1/2” x WOF.

Blue Fabric:

11 strips @ 2-1/2” x WOF. Set 8 strips aside for binding.
3 strips @ 4-1/2” x WOF.
3 strips @ 6-1/2” x WOF.

Strip Set 1

Sew 3 red strips to 3 blue 6-1/2” strips. Make 3. Press towards red strip.

Sub cut into 40 segments @ 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″.

Strip Set 2

Sew 3 red strips to 3 white 6-1/2″ strips. Make 3. Press towards red strip.

Sub cut into 40 segments @ 2-1/1″ x 8-1/2″.

Strip Set 3

Sew 3 white 2-1/2″ strips, 3 red strips and 3 blue 4-1/2″ strips together as shown. Make 3. Press towards red strip.

Sub cut into 40 segments @ 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″.

Strip Set 4

Sew 3 blue 2-1/2″ strips, 3 red strips and 3 white 4-1/2″ strips together as shown. Make 3. Press towards red strip.

Sub cut into 40 segments @ 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″.

Assemble the Stripe Units

Using 1 segment from each of the 4 strip sets, assemble the unit shown below.

Make 40

Assemble the Block

Next, assemble the block. Using 1 white star unit, 1 blue star unit and 2 stripe units, assemble the block shown below.

Assemble the Quilt Top

Finally, lay the blocks out in 5 rows of 4. Some layout suggestions are at the top of this page.

Friday, February 24, 2023