Patchwork Star Baby Quilt Tutorial

I’ve got a cute variation on one of my favorite beginner-friendly baby quilt tutorials to share today. My big star baby quilts are some of my favorite go-to patterns for quick baby gifts. This project changes it up slightly and is fun for showing off cute fabric prints – especially ones with large print motifs.

So let’s look at how to make this quilt! This patchwork star quilt finishes at 40″ x 40″.

Fabric requirements (these can come from Fat Quarters or a set of pre-cut 10″ x 10″ squares is really useful for this pattern!)

• Center Navy Elephant print: 9 ½″ x 9 ½″ and 4 squares 2 ½″ x 2 ½″
• Navy on white print squares: 2 squares 7 ½″ x 7 ½″
• Assorted Pink prints: 3 squares 10″ x 10″ and 8 strips 2 ½″ x 9 ½″
• Assorted Green prints: 3 squares 10″ x 10″ and 8 strips 2 ½″ x 9 ½″
• Assorted white prints: 4 squares 10″ x 10″ and 4 squares 9 ½″ x 9 ½″
• Binding fabric: ⅜ yard
• Backing fabric: 1 ¼ yard (this will be just enough to give you a few inches around all four sides. If you are worried that won’t be enough, get 2 ½ yards and piece a backing.)

Start with center navy square. Cut two 7 ½″ x 7 ½″ squares once on the diagonal to get 4 triangles.

Center the long side of the triangle on opposite sides of the navy center square. Sew using ¼″ seam allowance and press seams toward the outside triangles. Trim over-hanging triangle points. Sew 2 triangles to remaining sides of the center print. Press seams toward the outside triangles.

Square up center unit to 13″ x 13″.

Cut 3 pink, 3 green, and 4 white 10″ x 10″ squares in half once on the diagonal.

Center and sew 2 green triangles to either side of center unit, press seams toward triangles. Trim tabs. Sew 2 pink triangles on remaining sides. Press seams toward outside edges. Square-up center unit to 18 ½″ x 18 ½″.

Match up remaining 4 green and 4 pink triangles with a white triangle to create 8 half-square triangle (HST) blocks. Square up HST blocks to 9 ½″ x 9 ½″.

Using 8 HST blocks and remaining 9 ½″ x 9 ½″ white squares, lay out the quilt.  Sew together two sets of green & pink side sets of HST blocks. Press seams one direction. Sew to either side of center unit. Press seams toward center unit.

Sew top and bottom rows together (press seams toward corner blocks) and attach to center unit. Press seams toward outside rows.

Using 2 ½″ x 9 ½″ colored strips to piece outside borders. Start by sewing 2 sets of 4 strips to either side of star block. Press seams allowances in opposite direction from the abutting seams on the star portion. Sew side borders and press toward outside borders.

Sew top and bottom sets of 4 strips + a corner stone at each end. Press seam allowances in opposite directions from the abutting seams on the star portion. Sew top and bottom borders in place and press toward outside borders.

Quilt as desired. My quilt was quilted by Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting. I chose the all-over Peacock Feather pattern and I LOVE the way it gives this quilt made up with big blocks a lot of texture.

Bind the quilt using your favorite method. You can find all the information for finishing and binding a quilt here.

You can find the free tutorials for the other two Big Star Baby Quilts here.

If you would prefer a printable PDF version with instructions for all three patterns in one place you can find it here for $3.00.

Post Update: This quilt was made with the Safari Party collection by Melissa Mortenson Riley Blake Designs in 2017. This collection is now out of print.