CHOOSE CONTRASTING DARK AND LIGHT FABRICS SO THE STAR DESIGN REALLY STANDS OUT

FABRICS USED

Print fabrics are XOXO in Toy Boat Gold and Sprinkle in Jelly Bracelet from the Basics collection by Cotton+Steel.

CUTTING OUT

1

From backing fabric cut one (1) 22in x 16in rectangle and one (1) 22in x 10in rectangle.

2

From the dark fabric cut:

■ Four (4) 3in x 5½in rectangles.

■ One (1) 5½in square.

■ Four (4) 3in squares.

■ Four (4) 3½in squares.

■ Four (4) 3½in squares. Cut each square in half diagonally to make a total of eight (8) triangles (Section 1 on FPP template).

■ Four (4) 6in squares. Cut each square in half diagonally to make a total of eight (8) triangles (Section 5 on FPP template).

3

From the light fabric cut:

■ Sixteen (16) 3in squares. ■ Four (4) 3½in squares. ■ Twelve (12) 3½in squares. Cut each square in half diagonally to make a total of twenty-four (24) triangles (Sections 2, 3 and 4 on FPP template).

4

From the binding fabric cut five (5) 2½in x 22in strips.

MAKING THE CENTRE STAR

5

On the reverse of eight of the light fabric 3in squares, mark a diagonal line from corner to corner.

6

Place one square on one side of a 3in x 5½in dark rectangle, RST. Sew along the diagonal. Trim ¼in from the sewn line and press the corner open (Fig 1).

7

Repeat with another square on opposite corner to create one FG unit (Fig 2). Repeat to make a total of four FG units.

8

Arrange your FG units with one 5½in dark square and four 3in dark squares, as

shown (Fig 3). Sew into rows, then join the rows to complete the centre star.

MAKING THE STAR POINTS

9

Take one copy of the Star Point FPP template. Place a Section 1 fabric triangle on the unmarked side of the template, so it covers all of Section 1, plus at least ¼in all the way around. Pin in place.

10

Place a Section 2 triangle RST with the Section 1 triangle, matching up the raw edges on the side where Sections 1 and 2 will be joined. Make sure that when folded back along the seam line, Section 1 will be covered by the fabric plus at least ¼in all the way around. Pin in place.

11

Turn the template over to the printed side and now stitch along the marked line between Sections 1 and 2, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam. Fold the template away from the seam and trim to ¼in. Then unfold the template, turn to the fabric side, flip Section 2 open and press.

12

Repeat steps 9–11 to piece the remaining sections in numerical order. Trim along the dotted seam allowance line and remove the paper to complete one Star Point block.

13

Repeat steps 9–12 to piece a total of eight Star Point blocks.

MAKING THE OUTER CORNERS

14

Pair a light fabric and dark fabric 3½in square, RST. Draw a diagonal on the reverse of the light fabric square. Sew ¼in from either side of the line.

15

Cut along the drawn line and press the HST units open. Trim each unit to 3in square, keeping the 45-degree line on your ruler aligned with the diagonal seam.

16

Arrange the HSTs with two 3in light fabric squares, as shown (Fig 4). Sew together in a four-patch to complete one Outer Corner block.

17

Repeat steps 14-16 to make a total of four Outer Corner blocks.

FINISHING THE CUSHION

18

Arrange Centre Star, Star Point blocks and Outer Corner blocks as shown (Fig

5). Sew the side Star Point blocks into pairs, then join to Centre Star. Sew the remaining blocks into rows. Join the rows to the centre.

19

Press the cushion top well and layer with the batting. Baste the layers together using your preferred method. Quilt as desired. Collette quilted an echoing star pattern. Trim away excess batting and square up the cushion top.

20

Hem each backing fabric rectangle along one long edge, using a double fold ½in hem. Topstitch in place.

21

Place the cushion top right side down. Place the hemmed backing pieces on top, right side up, aligning raw edges with the hems overlapping in the centre. Pin or clip in place. 22

Join the binding strips together end-toend using diagonal seams. Press the seams open and trim away the dog ears, then fold in half lengthwise, WST, and press.

23

Sew the binding to the front of the cushion, folding a mitre at each corner, then fold it over to the back and hand stitch in place to finish.