SeeMyQuilt16 inch Martha Washington Star quilt block
Cutting chart, piecing steps and yardage for a Martha Washington Star block that finishes at 16". The block is a 8 × 8 grid and each cell finishes at 2".
Cutting chart for one block
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 9 1/4" × 9 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 2 squares | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 9 1/4" × 9 1/4" | 2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 2 squares | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
How to piece it
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut twice" on both diagonals. Each gives four triangles with the long edge on the straight grain: these are the large triangles in flying geese and hourglass units.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 8 × 8 grid, and each cell finishes at 2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 16 1/2" now and 16" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a quilt of 16" Martha Washington Star blocks
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 38" × 54" | 7/8 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 1/4 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 3 (9) | 54" × 54" | 1 3/8 yd | 2 yd | 3/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Throw | 3 × 4 (12) | 54" × 70" | 1 3/8 yd | 2 1/4 yd | 3/8 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 4 1/2 yd |
| Twin | 4 × 6 (24) | 70" × 102" | 2 5/8 yd | 3 3/4 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 6 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 102" × 102" | 4 yd | 5 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 6 × 6 (36) | 102" × 102" | 4 yd | 5 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
What a lap quilt looks like
This diagram uses plain colors. To see the quilt in your own fabrics, with sashing or on point, use the tool below: tap a fabric and choose a photo.
See it in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
What do I cut for a 16 inch Martha Washington Star block?
1 main square at 9 1/4" × 9 1/4"; 2 main squares at 4 7/8" × 4 7/8"; 1 background square at 9 1/4" × 9 1/4"; 1 background square at 5 1/4" × 5 1/4"; 2 background squares at 4 7/8" × 4 7/8"; 4 background squares at 4 1/2" × 4 1/2"; 1 accent square at 5 1/4" × 5 1/4".
What size is the block before it is sewn into the quilt?
16 1/2" square. It finishes at 16" once the seams on all four sides are sewn.
How much fabric for a throw quilt of 16 inch Martha Washington Star blocks?
12 blocks make a 54" × 70" quilt. Buy 1 3/8 yd of main, 2 1/4 yd of background, 3/8 yd of accent and 1 1/4 yd of border & binding, plus 4 1/2 yd for the backing.
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