Quilters love stars in their quilts. Is it because we “wish upon a star”? Or like the Kansas state motto, quilters believe “Ad astra per aspera“— “to the stars through difficulties.” Stars may symbolize our “light at the end of the tunnel”. Whatever, they are fun to make–depending on the pattern!
If you “googled” star quilt blocks, you would find hundreds of star variations. Often the same pattern will have several different names. Twek a pattern, voila–a new star. But some star patterns have been around for years!
Over 120 years, my grandmother made this Lone Star variation for her hope chest. This quilt top has nine stars–the Texas Lone Star is larger making up the entire quilt top. This pattern is still popular but has been adapted for rotary cutting and strip machine piecing, speeding up the production immensely.
The Sawtooth star is another favorite; simple to make. Four flying geese blocks are attached to the sides of a square. Most of the time the “star” pieces are all the same fabric–but the center square might be a fussy cut design from a “conversation” print.
This table runner made by Vicki uses white sawtooth stars as part of the border. The center panel is stem stitch embroidery. Measuring 22″ x 57″, it is $75.
The Friendship Star is the most simple. Why Friendship? Do not know. Maybe this star was simple enough for friends to make to create a “signature” quilt for someone special. This pattern could become more complicated by doubling the points, the color placement, and the addition of other blocks surrounding it.
This table runner by Elaine features gold friendship stars–Measures 18″ x 42″ and is for sale for $45
I usually don’t show unfinished projects, but I am making a Carpenter’s Star table topper or wall hanging in Christmas prints.
On the design wall and sewn together–life happened and it isn’t quilted yet.
This quilt needs binding before it is photographed, measured and priced. (Secret–my least favorite part of quilt making is machine sewing the binding before finishing it by hand binding)
Vintage prints, polka dots, Baptist Fan quilting, 30’s green and stars!
I could not find a name for these stars–it looks like a sawtooth star on top on a ribbon star.
But my favorite star to make is the Wonky Star. Similar to the saw tooth but the points are free hand.
May need to make another one of these—there might be enough fabric in my stash “wink-wink”.
The best sleep comes when one sleeps under the stars–either in the heavens or on quilts!
Quilts, Etc. 