Uneven Nine-Patch & Star Quilt

Inspired by "Seeing Stars" from designer Gerry Kimmel-Carr

Quiltmaker: Laura Boehnke

• 2-1/4 yards total assorted prints, solids, dots, and stripes in green, peach, blue, yellow, pink, and red (blocks)
• 1 yard blue dot (blocks, border, binding)
• 2-7/8 yards backing fabric
• 51" square batting

Finished wall hanging: 44-1/2" square

Finished block: 6" square

Quantities are for 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton fabrics. Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

After cutting border and binding strips, use blue dot scraps and all remaining fabrics to cut pieces for blocks.

From blue dot, cut:

• 4--4-1/2x42" border strips
• 5--2-1/2x42" binding strips

These instructions result in one unequal Nine-Patch block composed of three different fabrics. Repeat cutting and assembly steps to make 33 unequal Nine-Patch blocks total.

From assorted print, solid, dot, or stripe No. 1, cut:

• 4--2-3/4" squares

From assorted print, solid, dot, or stripe, No. 2, cut:

• 4--2-3/4x2" rectangles

From assorted print, solid, dot, or stripe No. 3, cut:

• 1--2" square

1. Referring to Diagram 1, lay out assorted print, solid, dot, or stripe 2-3/4" squares, 2-3/4x2" rectangles, and 2" square in three rows.

2. Sew together pieces in each row. Press seams toward rectangles. Join rows to make an unequal Nine-Patch block. Press seams in one direction. The block should be 6-1/2" square including seam allowances.

These instructions result in one Star block. Repeat cutting and assembly steps to make three Star blocks total.

From assorted print, solid, dot, or stripe No. 1, cut:

• 2--3-1/4" squares, cutting each diagonally twice in an X for 8 triangles total
• 4--2-1/2" squares

From assorted print, solid, dot, or stripe No. 2, cut:

• 2--3-1/4" squares, cutting each diagonally twice in an X for 8 triangles total
• 1--2-1/2" square

1. Referring to Diagram 2, sew together two triangles from each print, solid, dot, or stripe in pairs. Press seams toward darker fabric. Join pairs to make an hourglass unit. Press seam in one direction. The unit should be 2-1/2" square including seam allowances. Repeat to make four hourglass units total.

2. Referring to Diagram 3, lay out hourglass units and all print, solid, dot, or stripe 2-1/2" squares in three rows. Sew together pieces in each row. Press seams toward squares in each row. Join rows to make a Star block; press seams toward center row. The block should be 6-1/2" square including seam allowances.

1. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out blocks in six rows.

2. Sew together blocks in each row. Press seams in one direction, alternating direction with each row.

3. Join rows to make quilt center. Press seams in one direction. The quilt center should be 36-1/2" square including seam allowances.

Cut and piece blue dot 4-1/2x42" strips to make:

• 2--4-1/2x44-1/2" border strips
• 2--4-1/2x36-1/2" border strips

Sew short blue dot border strips to opposite edges of quilt center. Add long blue dot border strips to remaining edges to complete quilt top. Press all seams toward border.

1. Layer quilt top, batting, and backing; baste. Quilt as desired.

2. Bind with blue dot binding strips.