The Star Sashed Nine Patch quilt block is a stunning combination of two timeless quilt designs—the Nine Patch and the Star Sashing. This pattern is a wonderful choice for both beginners and experienced quilters looking for a unique yet classic design.
In this Star Sashed Nine Patch – Tutorial, we will guide you through each step of creating this beautiful quilt block, ensuring your project is as enjoyable as it is successful. Whether you’re making a full quilt or just practicing blocks, this tutorial will give you all the tools you need.
The Star Sashed Nine Patch block adds a twist to the traditional Nine Patch by incorporating star shapes between the blocks, making it visually dynamic and interesting.
The star sashing separates the Nine Patch blocks and creates a beautiful flow throughout the quilt. This pattern works well with a variety of color schemes, from vibrant, modern fabrics to more traditional tones, allowing for lots of creative flexibility.
As we progress through this Star Sashed Nine Patch – Tutorial, you’ll find that this pattern, while looking intricate, is quite achievable with some careful planning and attention to detail. Let’s get started by gathering materials, selecting fabrics, and diving into the steps required to bring this pattern to life!
1. Gathering Materials and Preparing Your Fabric
Before diving into your Star Sashed Nine Patch, it’s crucial to gather the right materials and properly prepare your fabric. This step ensures a smooth process and professional results.
Start by selecting high-quality cotton fabric for your quilt. You will need fabrics for both the Nine Patch blocks and the Star Sashing. For a classic look, choose two contrasting fabrics: one for the Nine Patch blocks and one for the star points. Consider using a neutral or light background fabric to help the stars stand out, while a bolder color or print can be used for the Nine Patch squares. Make sure to pre-wash and iron your fabric to eliminate shrinkage and ensure it lies flat.
The next key material you’ll need is batting. A medium-weight cotton batting works well for most quilts, providing the right amount of warmth without being too bulky. The backing fabric should complement the front design, either in a matching or contrasting color, depending on your preference.
In addition to fabric, you’ll need basic quilting tools: a rotary cutter, self-healing cutting mat, quilting ruler, and pins. A ¼-inch quilting foot for your sewing machine will help ensure consistent seam allowances, which is essential for block alignment. Lastly, choose a thread color that either blends with or contrasts your fabric, depending on your design aesthetic.
Now that you’ve gathered all the materials, you’re ready to start cutting and assembling your Star Sashed Nine Patch quilt!
2. Cutting Your Pieces for the Star Sashed Nine Patch
The Star Sashed Nine Patch consists of two primary components: the Nine Patch blocks and the Star Sashing. Precision in cutting your fabric is essential for the blocks to fit together seamlessly.
To start, cut your fabric for the Nine Patch blocks. A common size for each square in the Nine Patch is 2.5 inches, though you can adjust the size depending on your desired quilt size. For each Nine Patch block, you’ll need five squares of one color and four squares of a contrasting color. Ensure that your cutting lines are straight and consistent, as this will make piecing easier later.
Next, cut the fabric for the star sashing. The star points will be made using smaller triangles that fit between the Nine Patch blocks. For these, you’ll want to cut squares that are twice the size of the Nine Patch squares, then slice them diagonally to create triangles. These triangles will form the star points between your blocks.
Additionally, you’ll need sashing strips, which are long pieces of fabric placed between the blocks. These strips are typically 2.5 inches wide and as long as the width of the blocks. The sashing helps frame the Nine Patch blocks and highlights the star points, adding structure to the overall design.
Once you’ve cut all your pieces, lay them out to visualize the layout. This step will give you an idea of how the colors and design elements work together, ensuring you’re happy with the look before you begin sewing.
With everything cut and ready, it’s time to start piecing your Star Sashed Nine Patch blocks together!
3. Assembling the Nine Patch Blocks
Assembling the Nine Patch blocks is the first step in bringing your quilt to life. This traditional block design is made of nine squares sewn together in a 3×3 grid.
Start by laying out your cut squares in a 3×3 formation, alternating colors as desired. The most common arrangement uses five squares of one color in the center and corners, with the remaining four squares in a contrasting color placed between them. Once you’ve arranged the squares, take the first two squares from each row and place them right sides together, pinning the edges to prevent shifting while sewing.
Using a ¼-inch seam allowance, sew each pair of squares together. After sewing, press the seams open or to one side, depending on your preference. Repeat this process for the second and third rows. Once all the rows are sewn, you can join them by placing the first and second rows right sides together and stitching along the edge, followed by joining the third row. Again, press the seams to ensure a smooth finish.
Repeat this process to create as many Nine Patch blocks as needed for your quilt. The number of blocks will depend on the size of your quilt and the layout you’ve chosen.
After assembling your blocks, you’ll move on to adding the star sashing, which will really make the design pop!
4. Adding the Star Sashing
The Star Sashed Nine Patch design gets its unique flair from the stars that appear between the blocks. Adding the star sashing is the next step in this tutorial.
To create the star points, take the triangles you cut earlier and arrange them around the sashing strips. Each corner of the sashing will hold a triangle, forming a star when all four corners are complete. Place the first triangle at the corner of the sashing strip, right sides together, and sew along the diagonal edge with a ¼-inch seam. Repeat this for all the triangles around the sashing strip.
Once the star points are sewn, press the seams towards the triangles. This will create a crisp, clean edge for your stars. Then, join the sashing strips to the Nine Patch blocks, alternating between blocks and star sashing. Pin the sashing to the blocks to ensure everything stays aligned while sewing.
After attaching the sashing to all the blocks, you’ll see the star shapes begin to form. The stars should be perfectly centered between the Nine Patch blocks, adding an eye-catching design element that ties the entire quilt together.
Finally, press the entire quilt top to smooth out any wrinkles or uneven seams, preparing it for the next step—quilting and binding.
FAQ about Star Sashed Nine Patch – Tutorial
Q1: What is a Star Sashed Nine Patch quilt?
The Star Sashed Nine Patch quilt is a design that combines the traditional Nine Patch block with star-shaped sashing between the blocks, creating a visually striking quilt pattern.
Q2: How do I choose fabrics for the Star Sashed Nine Patch?
Choose two contrasting fabrics for the Nine Patch blocks and a third fabric for the star sashing. High-quality cotton fabrics in bold or neutral colors work best for this design.
Q3: What is the best size for the Nine Patch squares?
A common size for each square in the Nine Patch is 2.5 inches, but you can adjust the size depending on your desired quilt dimensions.
Q4: How do I create the star points in the sashing?
The star points are made using triangles cut from squares. Each square is cut diagonally to create two triangles, which are then sewn onto the sashing strip’s corners.
Q5: How do I assemble the Nine Patch blocks?
Lay out your squares in a 3×3 grid, alternating colors as desired. Sew the squares together row by row, pressing the seams after each step to keep the block flat and even.
Q6: How many Nine Patch blocks do I need for a full quilt?
The number of blocks depends on the size of the quilt you wish to make. A standard throw might use 12 blocks, while a larger bed quilt may require 25 or more.
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Conclusion
This Star Sashed Nine Patch – Tutorial has guided you through every step, from selecting your fabrics and cutting your pieces to assembling the blocks and adding star sashing. The result is a quilt that combines classic and modern elements, offering a visually stunning piece that is perfect for any skill level.
We hope you found this tutorial helpful! Please feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable, and we love hearing suggestions for future tutorials. Happy quilting!
