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| Martha Washington's Star Block |
Quilting is often a journey through history, stitching together tradition with a touch of personal creativity. One block that embodies this beautifully is the Martha Washington’s Star. Originally inspired by one of the most iconic figures in American history, this timeless quilt block has been reinterpreted over the years by many designers. Today, we’re spotlighting a particularly elegant version created by Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt, who brings her own style and precision to this historic pattern.
Whether you're a fan of traditional quilting or you simply love star blocks, the Martha Washington’s Star has something special to offer. Its sharp points, striking symmetry, and bold visual impact make it a standout in any sampler or full quilt project. Plus, it’s a rewarding challenge for those who enjoy flying geese, pinwheels, and strategic fabric placement.
Let’s explore the process of making this stunning 12½" block using Natalia’s free tutorial and get inspired to add a bit of vintage charm to your next quilting project.
Materials and Cutting Instructions:
To make this block, you'll need three fabric types: a background, a red print, and a dark print. Natalia provides detailed cutting instructions to help you prep each piece accurately. This block includes small and large triangles, squares, and flying geese components—each contributing to the overall geometric beauty of the final design.
How to Assemble the Block:
The construction is straightforward if you follow the steps carefully:
- Make the Center Pinwheel – Begin with the red and background triangles. Sew them together to form four units, then piece them into a classic pinwheel design.
- Create Flying Geese Units – Pair dark print triangles with background triangles to form four flying geese units. These will help shape the star's outer points.
- Complete the Layout – Lay out your pinwheel center, flying geese units, and additional background squares. Stitch them together row by row, then join the rows to complete the block.
Natalia's tutorial includes helpful photos along the way, making it easier to match points and maintain accuracy.
Design Tips:
- Use high-contrast fabrics to emphasize the sharp lines and star shape.
- Try patriotic, vintage, or bold modern colors depending on your project's theme.
- Repeat the block across a quilt top or use it as a striking feature in a sampler.
The Martha Washington’s Star block is more than just a beautiful design—it's a celebration of quilting tradition with a fresh, modern presentation. Thanks to Natalia Bonner’s clear instructions and approachable teaching style, quilters of all levels can enjoy creating this timeless piece.
You can find the full tutorial here: Martha Washington’s Star Tutorial by Piece N Quilt
