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Star Placemat

Starburst Placemat
With Spinning Stars

learn 2 star quilt blocks
measures 12.5" x 21"

Also see: Kitchen Patterns
Also see: Quilt Patterns

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Instructions

Star Quilt Blocks

Learn how to make beautiful star quilt blocks with our spinning star placemat pattern. The outer four stars "spi"n because of the placement direction of the blocks.

Skills needed: basic sewing and a knowledge of creating points.

MATERIALS: 4 Placemats

2 yards background fabric (we used black blender) - this allows extra for "errors"
1/8 yard each of four contrast colors (we used yellow, red, purple and orange/purple mix)
1 1/4 yard backing 1 1/14 yard Batting or felt or fusible fleece
1 1/4 yard if 45" wide, or enough for 6 placemats each measuring 12.5" x 21" OR felt or fleece

TIP: Fusible fleece or batting makes layering your placemats quick and easy. Just fuse to your fabric top, then add the backing.

NOTE: Fusible fleece adds a nice padding. It noes NOT provide insulation. If you need insulation against heat or cold, use cotton batting and Insul-Bright.

binding fabric (1.25" wide strips): each placemat needs approximately 70" of binding (can use leftover pieces of background fabric)
Colorful Thread for top stitching and embellishment (optional) and thread to match background

PATTERN

Our patterns download as pdf files. If you need instructions on using pdf files, go to:
PDF Instructions.

Download Free Pattern: Page 1
Download Free Pattern: Page 2
Download Free Pattern: Page 3

Cut Background Fabric Pieces 1. Cut a strip 3.75" x w.o.f. (width of fabric). Cut a second strip 3.75" x w.o.f. Cut each strip into 2.25" pieces. You will need a total of 32 2.25" x 3.75" rectangles. Set aside for SMALL SPINNING STARS. TIP: place in labeled ziplock bag.

2. Cut a strip 2.5" x w.o.f. Repeat two more times for a total of 3 strips. Cut these strips into 1.5" pieces. You will need a total of 64 1.5" x 2.5" rectangles. Set aside form SMALL SPINNING STARS.

3. Cut a strip 4.5" x w.o.f. Cut this strip into 4.5" squares. You will need a total of 8 4.5" squares. Set aside for GENERAL BACKGROUND.

4. Cut a strip 1.5" x w.o.f. Cut a second strip 1.5" x w.o.f. Cut these strips into 8.5" rectangles. You will need a total of 8 1.5" x 8.5" rectangles. Set aside for GENERAL BACKGROUND.

5. Cut a strip 2.5" x w.o.f. Cut a second strip 2.5" x w.o.f. Cut these strips into 10.5" rectangles. You will need a total of 8 2.5" x 10.5" rectangles. Set aside for GENERAL BACKGROUND.

6. Using remaining fabric, cut 16 triangles from pattern piece #1. Cut 16 triangles from pattern piece #3. Save remaining fabric for binding (if you wish to use background fabric for binding). Set aside for LARGE CENTER STAR.

Create 4 Large Center Blocks

We are making four placemats so you will need 4 laced star blocks and 16 spinning stars. The laced start block measures 8.5" square. Each spinning star block measures 4.5" square.

Create Large Spinning Star Blocks (also called Laced Star)

Use the pattern pieces provided to cut the following:

Piece #4: cut four of each color
Piece #2: cut four of each color

Above: cut fabric pieces
Right: Stack pieces for easy handling

The block is assembled in four sections, as shown on Page One of the pattern. For each section, stitch piece #1 to piece #2, then piece #2 to piece #3. Then stitch on piece #4. Follow the colors shown on page one of the pattern. If you are using different colors, assign color names so keep your colors straight (i.e. red=green print if you are using green rather than red). It also might be helpful to make four copies of page one and color them in with the fabric colors you are using.

For my first section, piece #1 is black, piece #2 is purple, piece #3 is black and piece #4 is red. For my second section, piece #1 is black, piece #2 is yellow, piece #3 is black and piece #4 is purple.

NOTE: pieces 1 and 3 are always background fabric.

TIPS: line up upper points of pieces 1 and 2 when stitching these pieces together. The points should also align when stitching on piece #4.

Use the template on Page One to even up the edges of each section. Don't just trim anywhere, however. Be sure seams run out to corners and you retain 1/4" seam allowances.

Stitch two sections together to create a half-block. Stitch the remaining sections together to create the corresponding half-block. Then stitch the two halves together to create the finished block. Align end points when stitchign the halves together. Your seams should all run straight from section to section and points should come out to corners with 1/4" seam allowance remaining.

Square down your blocks to 8.5"

Stitch a 1.5" x 8.5" strip (background fabric - cut as GENERAL BACKGROUND) to each side of the block. Stitch a 2.5" x 10.5" strip (background fabric - also cut as GENERAL BACKGROUND) to the top and bottom of the block. Repeat for all four large star blocks.