Star Struck Quilts Class Plan

by Barbara H. Cline

Dazzling, Quick and fun: Gradient Star

Class Description
In this class you’ll learn everything you need to know to piece an eight-pointed star. This project uses a stripe fabric having a 16” to 40” repeat from selvage to selvage. Fussy cutting the fabric adds dimension and zap that makes your quilt come alive. You will come away with a 48” x 48” quilt top. Once you have pieced this top you will confidently be able to sew any “Y” seam with ease.

Class Length:
Two 3 to 4 hour sessions

What each student will get:
A completed quilt top and ideas on how to create spark in a lone star by playing around with fabric placement.

Class supplies:

  • Required text: Star Struck Quilts by Barbara H. Cline
  • 1 5/8 yards of back ground fabric
  • 3 1/3 yards of stripe fabric with 16” to 40” repeat from selvage to selvage.
  • Rotary cutter
  • Rotary cutting mat 24” x 36”
  • Rotary cutting ruler 6” x 24
  • Template Plastic
  • Matching thread
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Jinny Byers Perfect Piecer

Classroom Preparation:
Make a sample of Gradient Star page 26.
Option: Make a small 8-pointed star to demo on. I usually demo on their project.

Class Outline - Refer to the book for page numbers as noted

    Session 1:
  1. Follow the instructions onp. 26.
  2. Review their fabric choice using the information in Gradient Star.
  3. Demonstrate how to make a 5 ½” plastic template and how to cut around a temple, p. 16.
  4. Discuss different possibilities for laying the template at different positions on fabric for cutting.
  5. Cut out all diamonds, and background pieces.
  6. Play around with positioning the diamonds and flipping them for a different look. Piece together four diamonds into one large diamond.
    Session 2:
  1. Check students’ work.
  2. Show blocking technique, p. 22.
  3. Show students how to piece a “Y” seam, p. 20. This can be demoed by using the projects they are working on or make a small 8-pointed star sample for demo.
  4. Piece the Gradient Star according to sewing order, p. 23.
    Optional Session 3:
  1. Layer quilt with batting and backing and show how to quilt using a walking foot. All quilting on Gradient Star is quilted with straight lines and the use of the walking foot. It is a great project to learn how to machine quilting.

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