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Pattern: Rainbow Stars
Rainbow Stars |
From Vintage Quilts
Fall 2002 Issue
Owned by Beth Hayes |
Rainbow shades of the 1920s and 30s solids dominate this cheerful quilt, with feedsack scraps and some older solids, like the bright yellow cheddar, thrown in for good measure. Try this pattern as a weekend retreat project—it would be fun to see all the stars made in a variety of fabrics.
FINISHED QUILT SIZE
73″ x 81″
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS |
… Backing (piece lengthwise) 5 1/4 yds. OTHER MATERIALS |
Planning a Reproduction
Have fun selecting fabrics for each star. Refer to Diagrams I-V to see how the solid A and B fabrics and print A-C fabrics go together in each star.
Two of the light pink background patches require a cutting size of 5 13/16″. If you are not familiar with cutting at 1/16″ intervals, note that 5 13/16″ is halfway between 5 3/4″ and 5 7/8″.
CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS |
16 assorted print C—cut from each: |
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Step 1. Referring to Diagram I, sew 6 strip sets using 1 1/8″ x 14″ strips, offsetting each strip approximately 1″. After each addition and keeping right sides together, press to set each seam. Press seam allowances away from first strip in each set in direction of arrow as shown. Make 16 of each.
Diagram I
Step 2. As shown in Diagram II, position acrylic rotary cutting ruler over strip set; align 45-degree-angle line on raw edge. Trim away and discard end. Cut 8 segments 1 1/8″ wide from each color combination. Check the 45-degree angle occasionally and true up if necessary.
Diagram II
Step 3. To make diamonds, position segments for rows 1 through 6 (see Diagram III). With right sides together and using a pin, align match points of rows 1 and 2 at each seam line. Stitch seam, and keeping right sides together, press to set seam. Continue adding segments and setting seams. After all rows have been added, press seams in same direction (see Diagram IV). Make 16 sets of 8 matching.
Diagram III
Diagram IV
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Diagram V
Quilt Top Assembly
Note: Refer to Assembly Diagram for following steps.
Step 5. Using set-in seams, sew together 4 stars with light pink solid 5 13/16″ squares. Continue adding rows of stars by setting-in squares, light pink solid 5 13/16″ x 11 1/8″ rectangles, 11 1/8″ squares, and 8 3/4″ quarter-square triangles until pieced center is complete.
Step 6. Sew light pink solid 4 1/2″ x 74″ strips to top and bottom; trim even with sides.
Assembly Diagram
Quilting and Finishing
Step 7. Layer and baste quilt top for quilting method of your choice. The maker outline quilted the stars along one side of the diamonds. The center setting squares feature a medallion, and a hanging-diamond pattern fills the quilt background.
Step 8. Bind quilt with light pink solid fabric.
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