From Vintage Quilts—Fall 2001 Issue

Checkered Star Owned by Beth Hayes Finished Quilt Size 68" x 83" Number of Blocks and Finished Size 50 Variable Star Blocks ... 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" 49 Twenty five-patch Blocks ... 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" It's not often you find a triple-generation quilt! First, Variable Star blocks were pieced about 1900 from indigo prints and muslin. Sometime during the Great Depression, the forgotten blocks were unearthed and combined with 25-Patch blocks pieced from a decades-old stash. The quilt top was probably finished in the 1940s, when it was bound with a WWII sailor print. Fabric Requirements White solid (blocks) 3 3/4 yds. Assorted blue plaids, prints, solids, stripes (blocks) 2 3/4 yds. total Assorted medium prints (blocks) 1 3/8 yds. total Assorted yellow solids (blocks) 3/8 yd. total Red/white/blue print (binding) 3/4 yd. Backing (piece lengthwise) 5 1/4 yds. Batting Double size Other Materials Sewing thread Quilting thread (hand quilting) Planning a Reproduction We give instructions to make the star center squares and points from the same fabric. The maker did vary the fabrics within some of the stars. Do likewise if you wish. Cutting Instructions White solid ... 50 squares 5" x 5", cut in half twice diagonally to make 200 quarter-square triangles ... 200 squares 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" ... 588 squares 2" x 2" Assorted blue plaids, prints, solids, stripes cut 50 matching sets of: ... 4 squares 2 3/4" x 2 3/4", cut in half diagonally to make 8 half-square triangles ... 1 square 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" cut 49 sets of: ... 4 matching squares 2" x 2" Assorted medium prints cut 98 sets of: ... 4 matching squares 2" x 2" Assorted yellow solids—cut a total of: 49 squares 2" x 2" Piecing the Block 1. Referring to Diagram I, stitch matching assorted blue 2 3/4" half-square triangles to sides of white solid 5" quarter-square triangle. Make 50 sets of 4 matching pieced rectangles. 2. Sew matching assorted blue pieced rectangles, matching blue 4 1/4" square, and 4 white solid 2 3/8" squares into 3 rows (see Diagram II). Stitch rows together to complete Variable Star Block. Make 50 total. 3. Referring to Diagram III, select 2" squares: 4 matching assorted blue, 2 sets of 4 matching assorted medium, 12 white, and 1 assorted yellow. Arrange and sew 5 rows of 5 squares each. Stitch rows together to complete 25-patch Block. Make 49 total. Quilt Top Assembly 4. Referring to Assembly Diagram, alternate Variable Star Blocks and 25-patch Blocks. Sew 11 rows; stitch rows together. Quilting and Finishing 5. Layer and baste quilt top for quilting method of your choice (see Basic Quiltmaking Instructions). The maker stitched diagonal lines approximately 2" apart throughout the quilt. 6. Bind quilt with red/white/blue fabric (see Basic Quiltmaking Instructions).