Mississippi Star

The Mississippi Star block is a beautiful, but challenging block. Many years ago I attempted my first template pieced block with little to no instruction on how to do so. I tried to figure out how to make the template pieces fit strips cut at the ¼ inch and many more mistakes.

Kansas Troubles Quilt

In my previous 3 posts I showed different versions of a Kansas Troubles quilt block. Here I've put them together in a quilt. The original Kansas Troubles block in the middle with the other 2 variations around it.

Kansas Troubles III

Here is yet another variation of the Kansas Troubles quilt block. In this version you'll again use squares, half square triangles and quarter square triangles to make this block. To calculate what size the finished pieces should be choose a quilt block size that is easily divisible by 8 and follow the formulas below. All triangle seam allowances are for triangles cut from strips using triangle rulers or templates.

Kansas Troubles II

In my previous post, I described the Kansas Troubles quilt block. Today is the same named block in a different variation. In this block there are squares, half square triangles and quarter square triangles. Choose a finished block size that is again easily divisible by 8.

Kansas Troubles I

The Kansas Troubles quilt block was first seen in about the 1850's but it wasn't seen in print until 1890 with the name. See civilwarquilts.blogspot.com for more details about this quilt block.

Different sized half square triangles and squares make up the pieces of this quilt block. To make this version, decide how large you want the block to be choosing sizes that are easily divisible by 8.

Kings Crown

The King's Crown is a fairly simple quilt block using half square triangles, flying geese and squares set in a 2 by 2 square grid layout. There are several ways to use pieces in this block and as you can see at least 2 ways to select fabric.

Double Stars

Double Star #2

Double Star #1

In quilting sometimes blocks have more than 1 name and sometimes more than 1 block has the same name. I was able to find 5 different Double Star quilt blocks. There are likely more out there that are a little harder to find.

Delectable Mountains

A famous example of a Delectable Mountains quilt was carried on the Lost Wagon Train of 1853 by Lucinda Anne Leonard Worth.

Grandpa's Delight

A while ago we were asked to paint a barn quilt. The block used is called Grandpa's Delight in honor of a recently passed grandfather. In the past I thought that painting quilts might be easier and faster than with fabric, however, now I know differently.

Tic Tac Toe block

Tic Tac Toe block is two blocks each of the Shoo Fly and the Nine Patch. This is another example of using blocks with the same grid layout together to make a new block.

To calculate how large to cut strips for squares and half square triangles, divide the finished block size you want by 6 and add seam allowances. For each block, you'll need 16 background squares, 8 background half square triangles, 8 green half square triangles, 2 green squares and 10 purple squares.

Here is how you could do a simple baby quilt or picnic blanket: Sew 4 blocks 18" square with a 3" finished border. Finished size is approximately 42" square.

Try using your scraps and making it using 2 or 3 fabric groups like light & dark, greens & purples & yellows, or warm & cool.

You could also add sashing between the blocks and extend the cornerstones from the Nine Patch units. As always, lots of things to try

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne

Quilt Genie - Mariners Compass designer

Quilt Genie - Mariners Compass designer

Quilt Genie - Jewel Box designer

Quilt Genie - Jewel Box designer

Hunters Star Watercolor Quilt

Here's another way you can have fun with the Hunter's Star block. Each quarter is 16 squares by 16 squares with 8 different fabrics in 2 color or shade groups. If you use 2 inch finished squares (perfect for jelly rolls), you'll have a beautiful watercolor quilt for a table top or as a wall hanging in no time.

I've done a similar quilt in Christmas fabrics - reds and greens - and it was great and very festive.

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne

Scrappy Hunters Star Quilt

In this design, there are 4 fabrics chosen from each of 2 color groups to make each block. To use the Hunter's Star fabric calculator, choose the special ruler method and you'll have to divide all the fabric and pieces instructions by 4.

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne

Quick Hunters Star Throw - Part 4

Binding

1. If the number of binding strips are greater than 1, sew strips together by laying ends right sides together forming an L.
2. Sew on diagonal where fabrics cross from upper left to lower right.
3. Trim excess to ¼ inch.
4. Repeat to make a continuous strip; press seams open.
5. Fold and press strip lengthwise in half wrong sides together.
6. Leaving a 5 inch tail, sew binding to quilt top matching raw edges with a  ¼  inch seam allowance.
7. Stop  ¼  inch before corner with needle down.
   

Quick Hunters Star Throw - Part 3

Sandwiching Quilt

You will need a backing fabric of at least 88 by 64 inches, but a bit larger would be better.

1. Place pressed backing right side down on a flat surface large enough to lay flat; tape in place at sides, then corners.
2. Lay batting on top of backing and smooth wrinkles; tape in place at sides, then corners. (If using slippery batting, spray baste to baking and top.)

Quick Hunters Star Throw - Part 2

Border

1. Cut and/or piece 2 strips of border fabric the length of quilt top measuring from middle.
2. Sew borders to sides using ¼ inch seam.
   

Quick Hunters Star Throw - Part 1

This Hunter's Star throw measures about 84 by 60 inches finished and used 2 fabrics for blocks and borders. Use the Hunter's Star fabric calculator with the following settings for fabric requirements and instructions to make the blocks:
24 inch block
2 columns
3 rows
The other settings can be set to your preferences.

Hunters Star Fabric Calculator

Just added at www.myquiltgenie.com a new fabric calculator and layout previewer for the Hunter's Star quilt block. You can choose from 4 different methods of making half square triangles, from 1 to 100 blocks with sizes from 4 to 36 inches and 5 different fabric sizes.

Hunter's Star quilt block fabric calculator

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne

Fractured Broken Pinwheel quilt

This fractured Broken Pinwheel block split each unit 4 by 4 then uses four color gradients each within three fabric groups. If you use jelly roll 2½ inch strips, you get a block that measures 16 inches finished. Put together more blocks and you'll have a good sized quilt in no time.

For each block...

Color group 1 (yellow): 4 light half square triangles, 4 medium light squares, 4 medium half square triangles and 4 medium squares, 8 dark half square triangles.

Color group 2 (blue): 4 light half square triangles, 4 medium light squares, 4 medium half square triangles and 4 medium squares, 8 dark half square triangles.

Color group 3 (brown): 4 light squares, 8 medium light squares, 12 medium squares, 16 dark half square triangles.

In this example, make 4 blocks using 2½ inch strips, cutting half square triangles from strips using a half square triangle ruler. Add a 1 inch finished border and a 3 inch finished border to make a 40 inch quilt.

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne