Eight Hands Around Quilt Pattern

By Janet Wickell

Quilting Expert

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How to Make an Eight Hands Around Patchwork Quilt

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Eight Hands Around Patchwork Quilt Pattern - Janet Wickell

Eight Hands Around Quilt Pattern. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Eight Hands Around is a patchwork quilt pattern that's sewn with thirty quilt blocks in two different color variations.

You'll choose six fabrics and and flip-flop them a bit to make the two block variations.

Two neutral fabrics are used for (large) star backgrounds, and though they are similar, the slight variation gives the quilt's layout a bit more texture and visual movement.

Finished Eight Hands Around Quilt Block: 12" x 12"

Finished Quilt: about 68" x 80"

See Page 2 for yardages and a closer look at quilt block variations.

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Quilt Block Variations and Fabric Requirements

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Eight Hands Around Quilt Pattern - Janet Wickell

Variations of the Eight Hands Around Quilt Block. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Eight Hands Around Quilt Block Variations

Let's take a look at the block component that's the same in both variations:

The same light neutral print surrounds the small center star in each block.

Now let's look at the similarities in the two block variations:

The large star in the block on the left has green tips; the same green is repeated in the center of the small star (which has deep red tips).
The large star in the block on the right flip-flops the star fabrics used in the left block (large star tips and the center square of the small star are deep red and the small center star has green tips).

The backgrounds for the outer stars are of similar color value in both quilt blocks, but differ just a bit to add extra texture and movement (use fabrics that vary more in color value for a completely different look).
Although backgrounds differ, the four corners of each block are arranged in the same way: a dark purple/background unit in two opposite corners and deep red/background unit in the remaining corners.

Fabrics and Other Materials Needed

Deep red: 2 yards

Dark purple: 1/2 yard

Light background (small stars): 7/8 yard

Green (stars and borders): 2-3/4 yards

First Neutral background: 1-1/4 yard

Second neutral background: 1-1/4 yards

Backing: 2-1/2 yards (quilt backing instructions)

Batting: About 78" x 90"

Binding: About 340 running inches of doublefold binding (binding strip instructions)

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Cut Patchwork Shapes for the First Quilt Block

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Eight Hands Around Quilt Block Pattern - Janet Wickell

First Variation of the Eight Hands Around Quilt Block (red tips on larger star). Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Cutting for the Block with Large Red Tips

To begin, cut only enough to make a test block -- that's good advice no matter whose pattern you are using.

If you wish, use a different assembly method for flying geese and half square triangle units, but be aware that you'll need to alter the cutting instructions.

See: No Waste Flying Geese for an alternate method.

Square up one end of each strip before cutting segments from it.

Deep Red

Cut (11) 3-1/2" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (132) 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" squares. Cut three more 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" squares from yardage.
Cut (2) 3-7/8" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut as many 3-7/8" squares as possible from the strips. Use (15) for this block and set the others aside for the next variation.

Green

Cut (6) 2" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (120) 2" x 2" squares from strips.

Background for Large Star

Cut (5) 6-1/2" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (60) 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" rectangles.
Cut (3) 3-7/8" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (30) 3-7/8" squares from strips.

Dark Purple

Cut (2) 3-7/8" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut as many 3-7/8" squares as possible from the strips. Use (15) for this block and set the others aside for the next variation.

Light Background

Cut (3) 2" strips from selvage to selvage. Cut as many 2" squares as possible from the strips. Use (60) for this block and set aside remaining squares the the next block.
Cut (3) 3-1/2" strips from selvage to selvage. Cut as many 2" segments as possible from the strips (2" x 3-1/2" bars). Use (60) for this block and set aside remaining bars for the next block.

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Make Patchwork for an Eight Hands Around Quilt Block

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Make the Flying Geese Units for Eight Hands Around Quilt Blocks. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Make Flying Geese Units

We'll use the quick flying geese method to make star tips for the Eight Hands Around quilt block pattern. The illustration shows one color combo, but all units are constructed in the same way. (Quick Flying Geese Instructions)

Note that our color values differ from those in the geese instructions, but the method is exactly the same.

Work on one block variation at a time. Keep things orderly by crossing through my color names and inserting your own.

Make the Geese

Combine the large background rectangles with the 3-1/2" red squares to make (60) flying geese units (illustrated). Each unit should measure 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" after assembly.
Combine the small light background rectangles with the 2" green squares to make (60) flying geese units. Each unit should measure 2" x 3-1/2" after assembly.

Half Square Triangle Units

Use the quick pieced half square triangle method to make (30) dark purple/background units and (30) deep red/background units. All units are made with the 3-7/8" squares (for block corners) and should measure 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" after assembly.

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Assemble the Quilt Block Variation

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Assemble an Eight Hands Around Quilt Block. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Assemble the First Eight Hands Around Quilt Blocks

Make the Patchwork Star Center

Arrange four 2" squares, four small flying geese units and a 3-1/2" red center square into three rows as shown, top of illustration.
Sew the components of each row together, matching edges carefully. Press seam allowances towards the squares.
Sew the rows together, butting seams allowance lofts for a snug fit. Press.

Assemble the Entire Quilt Block

Arrange two background/purple half square triangle units, two deep red/background half square triangle units, four background/deep red flying geese and the patchwork center into three rows as shown.
Sew the components of each row together. Press seam allowances in adjoining rows in opposite directions.
Sew rows together to complete the block. Press. The block should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2" square.
Repeat to make a total of (15) identical quilt blocks.

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Make the Second Quilt Block Variation

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Eight Hands Around Quilt Block. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Cutting for the Block with Large Green Tips

Green

Cut (11) 3-1/2" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (132) 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" squares. Cut three more 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" squares from yardage.

Background for Large Star

Cut (5) 6-1/2" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (60) 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" rectangles.
Cut (3) 3-7/8" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (30) 3-7/8" squares from strips.

Deep Red

Cut (6) 2" wide strips from selvage to selvage. Cut (12) 2" x 2" squares from strips.

You'll need (15) 3-7/8" squares (you might have leftovers from the first block). Cut additional squares as needed.

Dark Purple

Do you have leftovers from the first block? Cut additional 3-7/8" squares for a total of 15.

Light Background

You might have a few extras from the first block. Cut additional 2" strips from selvage to selvage -- each should yield about 21 squares. You'll need a total of 60.
You might also have extras of the 2" x 3-1/2" bars. Cut 3-1/2" strips from selvage to selvage -- each should yield about 12 bars. You'll need a total of 60.

Assemble the Second Block Variation

Components are assembled into units using the same methods as for the first block variation and units are combined to make blocks in the same way -- only the colors differ. Refer to the illustration on this page for guidance.

Make (15) blocks. Each quilt block should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2" when complete.

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Sew the Eight Hands Around Quilt

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Eight Hands Around Quilt Pattern. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Assemble the Eight Hands Around Quilt

Arrange the 30 blocks into six rows, each with five blocks. Alternate block variations within each row and as you assemble rows downward after the first (refer to illustration).
Sew the blocks in each row together, matching seams carefully.
Press new seams in adjoining rows in opposite directions where possible and sew all rows together. Press.
Use my butted border instructions to measure and sew borders to the quilt. Don't be tempted to measure the quilt along its sides, because the quilt is likely a bit skewed. Borders give you an opportunity to square it up. Create borders with 4-1/2" wide strips of green fabric.

Mark the top for quilting if necessary. Sandwich with batting and backing, baste and quilt. Sew mitered doublefold binding around the edges of the quilt (or use another method of your choice).