Fun and fast baby quilts are one of my favorite kinds of quilts to make. A simple quilt using large scale Half Square Triangle blocks makes it a quick project with a modern, graphic feel. I designed this free baby quilt pattern with precuts in mind. The quilt can be especially fast when you use pre-cut 10" x 10" squares (sometimes called Layer Cakes). The squares are cut and ready to work with, and if you're pulling them from one pre-assembled collection, the prints will coordinate beautifully! But it's also really fun and simple to pull and cut your own fabrics like I did with this quilt.
Baby Star Quilt Instructions
This free project is sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing Machines. You can get a free printable version of this pattern, just fill out the form below. It will arrive via email so check your inbox!
Finished Quilt size: 39" x 39"
Fabric Requirements
- 8 Light 10" x 10" squares - these can come from 8 precut 10" x 10" squares or from ⅝ of a yard.
- 8 Dark 10" x 10" squares. These can come from 8 precut 10" x 10" squares or from ⅝ of a yard.
- Border - ⅓ yard. Cut into 4 strips 3" x Width of Fabric (WOF).
- Binding - ⅓ yard. Cut into 4 strips 2 ½" x WOF.
- Backing - 1 ¼ yards for a 42" x 42" backing. (If you need a larger back get 2 yards and piece a 48" x 48" back.)
The fabric I used for my quilt is from Minki Kim's Bloomberry collection. The collection is now out of print, but there are still some print options available from assorted shops on Etsy.
For the background fabric around the edges of the star I used Lori Holt's Shabby basic in Cloud.
Making Half Square Triangle Blocks
Begin by cutting all of your Light and Dark 10" x 10" squares once on the bias to get 16 Light triangles and 16 Dark triangles.
Match-up a Light triangle with a Dark triangle, right sides facing, and sew together along long edge to create a Half Square Triangle.
*NOTE: This is a bias edge so be careful not the stretch the fabric when sewing. Pinning will help.
Square-up all blocks to 9" x 9". Use the diagonal line as your center guide - make sure it runs from on point of the square to the opposite.
Don't skip this step! Because we sewed on bias edges, its' really easy for these blocks to get distorted. Squaring-up will give you uniform blocks.
Press seams to one side. (The seam direction will change on some blocks when sewing the rows together.)
Repeat matching all Dark and Light triangles to make 16 Half Square Triangle blocks.
Use this diagram or coloring page in the printable pattern to determine which prints/colors to match up to make the 16 Half Square Triangle Blocks.
When blocks are completed lay out quilt 4 blocks across and 4 blocks down, alternating directions. See diagram.
Adding Borders
Trim 3" border strips to two sets of strips 3" x 34½" and two sets of 2 strips 3" x 39½".
Sew 3" x 34½" strips onto sides of quilt and press seam towards border. Sew 3" x 39½" onto the top and bottom edges of the quilt and press seam towards border.
Finishing
Layer quilt top with batting in between top and backing pieces. Baste layers together.
Quilt as desired. Go here for more information on Basting and Quilting Basics.
Finishing the Quilt
Sew the 2½" x width of fabric strips end to end. How to finish/bind a quilt tutorial here.
I sewed my binding with my machine using my walking foot to attach the binding strips to the back of the quilt and then I used the quilt binding foot for the topstitching the folded edge to the front. The topstitching comes out perfect every time with this foot!
In my humble opinion, you can't go wrong with a bias-gingham binding. Espcially in on of my favorite colors.
I also loved using the hexagon cheater print for the borders. If you want a less-busy look, you could go with more of a solid color or blender print.
I also added a cute little woven Made With ❤ tag when I added the binding. You can find these pretty woven tags from Minki Kim here.
Here's a few more glamor shots I took at some poppy fields in the nearby foothills. The poppies were a little bit past their prime, but still a beautiful spot to visit on a gorgeous June evening.
I'd love to see what you make if you use this pattern. Tag me on social media with #DOQBabyStarQuilt
Once again, you can get the free PDF pattern emailed directly to your inbox.
And if you're looking for other variations of this simple, graphic star-style baby quilt made with precut 10" squares, check out the other variations here including a lone star version and fun pieced borders.
Big thanks again to Baby Lock Sewing Machines for sponsoring this post. All content, thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have been a Baby Lock ambassador for over 7 years now and have loved every machine I've worked with!
If you're looking for recommendations for buying the right sewing machine for a beginner or ideas for upgrading your current machine, I've got a post here on how to choose the perfect sewing machine, for any level or budget.
Bette Pelletier says
no comment at this time
Carrie Morrisette says
Amy, can you tell me what solid Riley Blake fabrics go with your Portsmouth?
Mary Packard says
Thanks for the Baby Star quilt pattern! I'm making it using "princess" prints as main fabrics. (I'm making half-square triangles using the 2 square-right sides together/sew/cut/press method. That way the bias is less of an issue and I can make 2 at a time.)
Lynette Pagni says
Thank you. Thank you for this pattern, & the others on the page that we are able to get.
I have grand baby number 7 arriving end of November- beginning of December. My son & his girlfriend are having baby number 2!
We are having a gender reveal party in a week, then I can get the fabric for a quilt like this!
I'm so excited to try this quilt!
Again, thank you so much
Lynette
Amy says
That is so exciting! Congratulations on the upcoming little ones!
Jonell Nunez says
I just love this. The pattern and material!! I’m a beginner and would love to try this. Thank you so much!
Amy says
You're welcome!
Vivienne Rowden says
Am I counting wrong because I make it 9 dark/pattern and 7 light/background 10"x10" squares?!
Caprice Shroats says
Thank you for this pattern. It’s cute and doable for to baby girls that have graced our family.
Amy says
I'm so glad!
Cathy says
I am looking forward to trying this out!
Elaine West says
What is the finished size of this? I couldn't find it?
Amy says
39" x 39" Thanks for pointing this out! It's listed on the printable pattern but not on the post. I added the info. Thanks again!
Mary says
hello ,
this is a cute baby quilt pattern.I love it.
Karin says
I really adore this version of the baby star 🤩 Will be my next project 🙂 Thanks for being so generous 😘
Amy says
You're welcome! Enjoy!
Vicki in MN says
I love it and hope to make a couple for donation quilts. Thank you for sharing!
Krista says
Thank you for sharing this pattern. I am a new quilter and looking forward to making this.
Lynne says
Amy,
Love this pattern and the other variations!
Lynne says
Amy,
Why wouldn't you put the 10" squares RST and draw a line diagonally, corner to corner, sew 1/4" both sides of the line and then cut apart on the line rather than cutting the squares apart first and then sewing them back together on the bias?
Amy says
Great question! Normally that is how I do it when I'm creating 2 identical blocks. And you can definitely use that method on the HST blocks that match. But for blocks when you're matching different combinations of fabrics you need to make them individually. So, just for simplicity's sake, I wrote making all of the HST blocks using the same method.
Lynne says
Thanks so much for your explanation. I guess I didn't look at the pattern closely enough to see that you do have some blocks that are a different combination of fabrics. I really do love these patterns. I make baby quilts for donation and these will be perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Darlene says
Thanks for the easy, pretty pattern. I do a lot of baby quilts for our Project Linus chapter in Chicago and this will come together fast. I already have in mind the calico prints I will use for it. Look forward to your news letters!
Amy says
You're welcome! I'm so glad it's helpful!
Judy says
I'm with Vivian - I count 9 darks and 7 lights.
Amy says
For simplicity in writing the pattern, I counted 8 lights and 8 darks. (In this case I substituted the lavender gingham as one of the lights.) But you can use any combination of lights and darks that you want. 🙂
Suzanne Roush says
Love this quilt and have fabrics for the quilt top chosen! Can't wait to see it finished. BUT, having a hard time understanding why I need 2 - 72" x WOF for backing?? Seems like if the quilt is 39" square, I would need just over one yard of fabric. HELP!
Amy says
I only used 1 1/4 yard for my backing. The 2 yards recommendation for piecing a larger back is a personal preference option for people who take it to a long-arm quilter that requires a much larger backing piece.
Daisy says
This turned out so adorable! My church makes quilts for baby dedications. I tried this out for myself first because I want to use this pattern for our April meeting. The other ladies are going to love it ! Thanks for posting.
Amy says
Oh that's so wonderful! I'm so glad it was helpful.
Phyllis Mueses says
Hi Amy,
Do I square up each block using a 9 1/2” square ruler -that would give me a 9” finished block once it’s sewn? If I trim it to 9” now- when I sew it, it will be an 8 1/2” square and that won’t give me rows equally 39”x39”. Sorry I’m confused about this.
Amy Smart says
HI - you want to square them up to 9" x 9" - they will be 8.5" x 8.5" in the finished quilt. Those squares + the two 2.5" borders on either side make the quilt 39" x 39".
Kathlene K Gee says
no comment at this time.
Shawn says
Looking forward to this project to entice some friends into becoming quilters.
Kim Allen says
Free pattern
Kitty says
Thank you so much for the pattern. Looking forward to creating my own version. Very generous
Theresa says
Would like a free printable version of the Baby Star Quilt pattern. Thank you.
Amy Smart says
Hi! I just sent you the link to download the pattern. 🙂 Thanks for your interest!
Keisha says
Thank you for the free baby quilt pattern and great written instructions. It is ADORABLE!! To be able to make one in a day or two for a last minute baby shower is amazing. It looks complicated but you broke it down to easy steps. Thanks again!
Stephanie says
Absolutely love this quilt! Finished this top in under a day (with a toddler)! Thank you for the easy tutorial.
Amy Smart says
Hooray! I'm so glad it was helpful! And bonus points for doing with a toddler!