Simplified Dolly Madison Star Quilt Block Pattern
Here's a pretty patchwork quilt block that's a cross between Ohio Star and the more intricate Dolly Madison Star.
- The quarter square triangle units that make up the star tips are easily created by using quick pieced half square triangle units as their parents.
- The block's center is a simple nine-patch unit.
- Block corners are created with rotary cut fabric squares.
Finished Block Size: 9" x 9"
Fabric for 1 Star Quilt Block
Use your stash to make a set of scrappy quilt blocks and then sew them together in any way that suits you (you'll find examples of an on point arrangement on page 3 and a straight set layout on page 4).Bright red:
- (2) 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" squares
Blue print:
- (4) 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" squares
Neutral background:
- (2) 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" squares
- (5) 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" squares**
- (4) 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" squares
Black or navy print:
- (4) 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" squares**
**Alternate Method: The center nine-patch can be strip pieced -- a good method for many identical blocks. Use 1-1/2" wide strips of the two fabrics and create strip sets that mimic rows 1 and 3 (identical) and row 2 (example - left and middle drawings).
Use the segment size and number of segments needed to calculate strip length, for instance:
- If you're making three quilt blocks, you will need 6 row 1/row 3 segments (3 blocks x 2 segments for each = 6)
- 6 segments x 1-1/2" for each segment length = 9"
- Add 1/2" to 1" for squaring up the strip set before cutting segments (I use 1" to compensate for potential cutting errors)
- cut two 1-1/2" x 10" neutral strips and one 1-1/2" x 10" black strip
- Sew the neutral strips lengthwise to each side of the black strip. Press, square up and cut away the (6) 1-1/2" segments
- Calculate strip lengths for center row in the same way
