I have few self-imposed rules when it comes to designing a new quilt pattern. One guiding principle is simple: no star quilts!
Don’t get me wrong—I love a good star quilt. The thing is, so do many other designers, and they’ve done a great job developing some fabulous star patterns. (Camille Roskelley’s Patchwork Sky, Cluck Cluck Sew’s Brightly, and MMM Quilts’ Pop Star come to mind.)
Of course, rules—even self-imposed ones—were made to be broken. My book, Not-Your-Typical Jelly Roll Quilts, features two star designs: Myriad and Five-Star Experience. (See pics at the bottom of the post.) Another star pattern of mine, called Twin-Star Cabins, will release in January.
The idea for Twin-Star Cabins originated in Folk Heart, a quilt I designed for the Ruby and Bee challenge for QuiltCon 2025. My quilt was not accepted into the show, but I love it! I am crazy about the palette and the irregularity of the sashing and cornerstones.
Because the average quilter doesn’t like heart blocks the way I do, I started playing with the Folk Heart design and came up with the idea to replace the hearts with sawtooth stars.
The throw size that I am sewing requires 50 stars. I am making them in candy-colored hues I pulled from Melody Miller’s Carousel collection, which is featured in the mockup at the top of the post and will appear in my sample quilt as well.
All this talk of star quilts begs the question, What’s your favorite star design? I’d love it if you enabled a project for me in 2026 ... Share your recommendations in the comments!
 |
| Myriad from Not-Your-Typical Jelly Roll Quilts |
 |
| Five-Star Experience from Not-Your-Typical Jelly Roll Quilts |
Follow Me On ...
The pageant rules are simple:
- Post your finish in the linky tool. (No links to your own giveaway or linky, please!)
- Point your readers back here with a text link or use the button above.
- Visit and comment on other participants’ finishes.
I love star quilt and I love heart quilts! My first, professionally-tech-edited pattern was a heart quilt. The quilt on my bed, which I made for Christmas many years ago, is a star on a heart, a Buggy Barn design. Thank you that my Pop Star pattern (loved your version of it) popped (ha) into your mind when thinking of star patterns! Thank you. I think your Folk Heart quilt has a 3D look to it.
ReplyDeleteI love star quilts. But really, I love quilts. Looks like you are on to something really delightful!
ReplyDeleteOh my. Your post makes me smile. I'm being perfectly honest when I admit that I don't care for star quilts/blocks either. Nor do I like hearts. You won't find either of these shapes/designs in my quilts. I think it's perhaps because I've seen SO many versions of star quilts, and heart quilts. I lean toward more unique designs/shapes that aren't often made. Though, I really like the first quilt you shared. Colors are fantastic, and the layout is unusual. Well done!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, I really love your Myriad quilt - there the secondary design are the stars. Your new quilt looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDelete