Learn how to sew a big star quilt using half square triangles! This fast and easy (and free) throw quilt pattern uses my shortcut method for sewing two half square triangles (HST’s) at one time. And guess what – this free basic quilt pattern makes a beautiful holiday quilt too!

If you love this, check out other sewing ideas on my page of Free Quilt Patterns.

This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The instructions that follow contain everything you will need to make the Big Star Quilt and it is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF download is inexpensive and optional. Did you know you can get ALL the Optimized for Printing PDF files organized in a library for you to access anytime you want? Check it out.

With big 8” half square triangles, this 64”x64” throw quilt is a larger version of my Half Square Triangle Star Baby Quilt Pattern. Both of these beautiful quilts are perfect for a beginner (or an experienced quilter in need of a quick quilt). After you have sewn all of the half square triangles you need, you’ll sew them together with some extra background pieces. There is no sashing to slow you down.

If you love to use your AccuQuilt fabric cutter like I do, I’ll share the optional cutting die numbers to make this pattern Accuquilt-friendly. Using an Accuquilt is optional, but I love it! See all my Accuquilt-friendly quilts. Look under the cutting dimensions below for a list of fabric-cutting dies you may use instead.

The quilting cotton fabrics I used are from various Tilda Fabrics collections that I had in my fabric stash plus a bright coral solid as my background fabric.

This Big Star Quilt pattern is perfect for holidays too.

This is what my Big Star Quilt pattern would look like sewn up in traditional Christmas fabrics. You could have this done in time for Christmas – I promise!

Or sew up a red white and blue quilt (or what ever colors are in your country’s flag) to make a patriotic quilt!

Are you ready to learn my half square triangle shortcut method so you can quickly make this Big Star Quilt? Let’s sew!

Big Star Quilt Pattern

Finished dimensions: 64’’ x 64’’ (big throw quilt size – see standard quilt sizes).

You will need:

• 1/2 yard each of four different print fabrics (or large scraps that total up to at least 2 yards – fat quarters or layer cakes will work too)
• 2 yards background fabric
• a piece of batting at least 70’’ x 70’’
• 4 yards of backing fabric, or enough to piece together a 70’’ x 70’’ quilt back piece
• 1/2 yard fabric for the binding
• a pencil or fabric marker
• coordinating thread, cutting tools, and a sewing machine

Cutting:

All cutting dimensions are height x width.

Use the HST Shortcut Method to Make Half Square Triangle Units

The chart below shows the number of HST units you’ll need to make. You can sew them in any order.

1. Place one 9’’ print fabric square right sides together with a background fabric 9’’ square. Using the pencil or fabric marker, draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of the square that is on top. Pin the two squares together in the middle.

2. Sew along both sides of the drawn line a scant 1/4’’ away from the drawn line. Do your best to sew straight seams. 🙂

3. Cut the square piece in half diagonally along the drawn line. Trim each half square triangle to 8 1/2’’ square. Press seams toward the dark fabric (or whichever fabric is darker).

This technique gave you two matching half square triangles!

Use this method to make the following half square triangles:

OR to make a scrappy quilt:

• Make 32 half square triangles that are half background fabric and half print fabric
• Make 16 more half square triangles that are any combination of print fabrics.

Sew the Quilt Top Together

1. Use a quilt design wall or large table to layout your pieces.

Arrange the half square triangles together with your 8 1/2’’ background squares and 8 1/2’’ x 16 1/2’’ background fabric rectangles to make 16 blocks as seen above.

2. Sewing instructions for the blocks are below. Sew the 16 blocks with a 1/4’’ seam allowance. Press.

Tips:

• Each quilt block is repeated 2 times.
• OR if you are making a scrappy quilt, arrange the background fabrics and print/background fabric HST’s in your blocks first. Then add the other print HSTs to fill in the rest.

• If the quilt block contains 2 square pieces and a rectangle, sew the two squares together first, and then add the rectangle.

• If the quilt block contains 4 square pieces, sew the squares together in pairs, and then sew them together.
• the block size will be 16 1/2” square before you sew them together.

3. Sew the blocks together to make 4 rows. Then sew the 4 rows together to finish the quilt top,

Finishing the Big Star Quilt

1. Cut the backing fabric in half and sew it together to make a piece big enough for the back of the quilt (at least 70’’ x 70’’).

2. Sandwich the quilt top, batting, and backing together and baste. My favorite basting methods to hold my quilt sandwich layers together are fusible batting or pin basting.

3. Quilt the quilt top as desired.

4. Cut 6-7 strips of binding 2 1/2’’ x width-of-fabric and sew them together using diagonal seams. I was able to bind my quilt with just 6 binding strips sewn together, but if your fabric isn’t 44’’ wide, you may need 7 strips. Bind the quilt using your preferred method. See how I bind my quilts by machine here.

As always I love to see the quilts and sewing projects that you make with my free patterns. Post a picture to Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe so I can take a look.

Happy Quiltmaking!

By the way, I teach these shortcut piecing methods in my Choose Joy! Block of the Month Program. It’s a great way to build quiltmaking skills and learn how to make 10 different classic quilt blocks!