Paducah, Kentucky — Quilt City USA®

Class Description:

The use of stars in quilting is both aesthetic and symbolic. Stars stand the test of time as a prominent motif both in traditional and modern quilting.

The star patterns in Under the Stars are built from sharp angles and radiating lines, creating eye-catching designs that draw the viewer’s eye. The maker will also notice a progression from simple stars, such as the Friendship Star, to more complicated stars, such as the LeMoyne Star.

Scale is also an important feature in Under the Stars. Students will notice the incorporation of 24”, 18”, 12”, and 6” blocks.

Color selection includes a nod to a sky filled with stars, with prominent blue, gold, and white. Accent colors, including orange and pink, add some spark, contrast, and playfulness to the mix. This would also work up beautifully in a patriotic color scheme. With some thoughtful substitutions, it would also make a stunning winter holiday quilt.

With 18 different star blocks represented, students will find many favorites that they’ll return to again and again. Each of these blocks would make a fantastic quilt on its own. Under the Stars is a fantastic skill builder class.

Among the many skills we’ll learn are:

• Accurate cutting
• Working with large-scale pieces/blocks
• How to scale block sizes up or down
• How to strip-piece accurately
• Precision Flying Geese methods
• Precision Half Square Triangle Methods
• Precision piecing with angles, seams, and alignment
• Partial Seam quilt top construction

Workshop Description

• Day One will have us constructing the three 24” blocks. We’ll work on accurately piecing Flying Geese with multiple methods, as well as Half Square Triangles, Quarter Square Triangles, and strip-piecing. We’ll also discuss best practices for working with large-scale blocks. By the end of Day One, a third of our quilt top will be complete!
• Day Two had us exploring different Half Square Triangle methods, as well as Square-in-Square units. We’ll be working on our 18” blocks today. Chain piecing and other time-saving methods will be discussed.
• Day Three is Foundation Paper Piecing day. Traditional Foundation Paper Piecing will be taught, as well as using Triangles on a Roll.
• Day Four is our “What’s left to do?” day. We’ll make a plan to put everything we’ve learned to use to make the most of our last day in class. Time will also be devoted to learning Partial Seams (necessary to complete the quilt top) with a hands-on activity that will explain this advanced technique. Some will finish their quilt top by the end of class. Some will finish their blocks. Everyone will know what the next steps are.

Throughout the workshop, students will learn easy and effective ways to cut, piece, and sew with precision, gaining confidence and ultimately a stunning quilt top.