Wonky Star Tutorial // Star Wars Galaxy Quilt // Tutorials
In the last few months, I have made not 1 but 2 (!) twin Star Wars Galaxy Quilts. Today I am sharing the first of two tutorials so that you can make your own.The tutorials for the actual quilt include 2 layout options in 3 sizes (toddler, large throw, and queen). This quilt is very to adapt--by increasing or decreasing the number of rows, you can easily make it almost any size you want.I share a graphic at the end of the post showing what a quilt made of wonky stars in a variety of sizes and bright colors could look like, so keep reading ;)
StarWarsGalaxyQuilt2
Each wonky star consists of (13) 5'' squares. In this case, 8 light/low volume squares and 5 dark squares. I used black or navy fabrics for my dark squares. You could easily reverse this, and have a light square in a dark background.Wonky star blocks are so much fun to make, and work well for any feature fabric, novelty or not. They also work really well for group sewing projects.
Star Wars Quilt
Cut (4) of the dark 5'' x 5'' squares in half along the diagonal; this does not have to be exact.Note about fabric selection: This block usually works best if all of the dark/feature fabrics are the same print (or at least the same color), and if there is a lot of contrast in color and value between the light prints and the dark prints. To check for this, take a photo of your block before you sew it, and then change it to a black and white photo. You will instantly be able to tell if there is enough contrast between the star and background fabric.In my quilts, I do mix it up sometimes, and usually include one or two blocks with dark fabrics that are not all the same. For clarity, I used 7 black triangles and 1 dark gray triangle in the diagram. feel free to do this, or stick to the more conventional 8 black triangles of the same fabric.
Block InstructionsStep 1: Choose (1) light square and (1) dark triangle. Place the dark triangle (right sides together) on the light square as shown. Stitch along the edge of the triangle, using a 1/4'' seam allowance. You can rotate the triangle at different angles as you would like: this is what makes the star "wonky."Note: If you use solid fabrics, then make a choice about which is the "right" and "wrong" side. It matters with some brands of solids, it doesn't with others.
Wonky Star Tutorial
Step 2: Trim the light colored square along the 1/4'' seam line.
Step 3: Open the triangle and press the seam.
Step 4: Place a second dark triangle (right sides together) on the square/triangle combo, as shown below. Stitch along the edge of the triangle, using a 1/4'' seam allowance. You can rotate the triangle at different angles as you would like: this is what makes the star "wonky."
Wonky Star Tutorial
Step 5: Trim the light colored square (and 1st triangle) along the 1/4'' seam line, as shown below.
Step 6: Open the triangle and press, as shown below.
Wonky Star Tutorial
Step 7: Trim the piece into a 5'' square.
Wonky Star Tutorial
Wonky Star Tutorial
Step 8: Repeat Steps 1-7 three more times, until you have 4 pieced square units.
Step 9: Lay out your 4 pieced units, 4 additional light/low volume squares, and center (dark) square as shown below.
Wonky Star Tutorial
Step 10: Sew the three vertical rows together. Press seams.
Step 11: Sew each of the rows together. Press seams.If you choose 5 dark squares that are all the same, your finished block will look something like the block below
Wonky Star Tutorial
Wonky Star Tutorial
nterested to see what a quilt like this could look like in non-Star Wars colors, and with a variety of sizes? Isn't this nice and cheery?