Cozy Comfort: The Prairie House Stars Quilt Guide

Quilting has a way of connecting us to history, to the landscapes of our ancestors, and to the warmth of home. I have always been drawn to patterns that evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, much like the Prairie House Stars quilt. The first time I laid eyes on this cozy throw, with its rich reds and browns, it reminded me of the rustic charm of a prairie farmhouse. It’s a design that brings warmth and a touch of history to any room.

The Cozy Charm of Prairie House Stars

This quilt pattern alternates between Sawtooth Star and Double Four-Patch blocks, creating a visually pleasing and cozy throw that is perfect for snuggling up on a cool evening. The fabrics from the Treenware & Berries collection by Pam Buda for Marcus Fabrics lend a rich, warm palette to this timeless design, making it an inviting and cozy addition to any home.

Detailed Insight and Preparation

The Heart of Tradition in Modern Quilting

What makes the Prairie House Stars quilt so special is its blend of traditional patterns with contemporary fabrics. The use of deep reds and browns evokes a sense of heritage, while the alternating block design adds a dynamic and engaging visual element. This quilt is not just a throw; it’s a piece of art that tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship, all while being incredibly cozy.

Materials

To create the Prairie House Stars quilt, you’ll need the following materials:

• 15 assorted red print 10″ squares
• 8 each assorted cream print and assorted brown print 10″ squares
• 1⁄3 yard cream print (inner border)
• 1 yard brown print (outer border)
• 1⁄2 yard binding print
• 3 yards backing fabric
• 52×59″ batting
• Finished quilt size: 43-1⁄2×49-1⁄2″

Cutting the Fabrics

Ensure you cut the pieces in the following order:

1. From each assorted red print, cut:
   • 1 square (3-1⁄2″)
   • 4 rectangles (2×3-1⁄2″)
   • 4 squares (2″)
2. From each assorted cream print, cut:
   • 16 squares (2″) (You will have 8 squares left over.)
3. From assorted cream print scraps, cut:
   • 60 squares (2″)
4. From assorted brown prints, cut:
   • 30 squares (3-1⁄2″)
   • 60 squares (2″)
5. From the cream print, cut:
   • 2 strips (2×36-1⁄2″) for the inner border
   • 2 strips (2×33-1⁄2″) for the inner border
6. From the brown print, cut:
   • 5 strips (5-1⁄2×42″) for the outer border
7. From the binding print, cut:
   • 5 strips (2-1⁄2×42″)

Full Pattern: Click Here

Preparing to Quilt

Before we start assembling our blocks, here are some initial tips:

• Seam Allowances: Ensure all measurements include 1⁄4″ seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise specified.
• Pressing Seams: Press seams in the directions indicated by arrows on the diagrams. If no direction is specified, press seams toward the darker fabric.

Step-by-Step Instructions and Final Touches

Step-by-Step Instructions

Assemble Sawtooth Star Blocks

1. Create Flying Geese Units:
   • For one Sawtooth Star block, gather one 3-1⁄2″ square, four 2×3-1⁄2″ rectangles, and four 2″ squares from one assorted red print and eight 2″ squares from one assorted cream print.
   • Use a pencil to mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each cream print 2″ square.
   • Align a marked cream print square with one end of a red print 2×3-1⁄2″ rectangle (refer to Diagram 1; note direction of the marked line). Sew on the marked line. Trim seam allowance to 1⁄4″. Press open the attached triangle. Add a second marked cream print square to the opposite end of the rectangle to make a Flying Geese unit. The unit should be 2×3-1⁄2″ including seam allowances. Repeat to make four matching Flying Geese units total.
2. Assemble the Sawtooth Star Block:
   • Sew together four Flying Geese units, the red print 3-1⁄2″ square, and the four red print 2″ squares in three horizontal rows (refer to Diagram 2). Sew together pieces in each row to make a Sawtooth Star block. The Sawtooth Star should be 6-1⁄2″ including seam allowances.
   • Repeat steps 1–2 to make 15 Sawtooth Star blocks total.

Assemble Double Four-Patch Blocks

1. Create Four-Patch Units:
   • Sew together two assorted brown print 2″ squares and two assorted cream print 2″ squares in pairs (refer to Diagram 3). Join pairs to make a Four-Patch unit. The Four-Patch unit should be 3-1⁄2″ square including seam allowances.
   • Repeat to make 30 Four-Patch units total.
2. Assemble Double Four-Patch Blocks:
   • Sew together two Four-Patch units and two assorted brown print 3-1⁄2″ squares in pairs (refer to Diagram 4). Join pairs to make a Double Four-Patch block. The Double Four-Patch block should be 6-1⁄2″ square including seam allowances.
   • Repeat to make 15 Double Four-Patch blocks total.

Assemble Quilt Center

1. Arrange and Sew:
   • Lay out Sawtooth Star blocks and Double Four-Patch blocks in six horizontal rows as shown in the Quilt Assembly Diagram.
   • Sew together pieces in each row and press seams toward Double Four-Patch blocks.
   • Join rows to make the quilt center. Press seams in one direction. The quilt center should be 30-1⁄2×36-1⁄2″ including seam allowances.

Add Borders

1. Add Inner Borders:
   • Sew cream print 2×36-1⁄2″ inner border strips to the long edges of the quilt center. Add cream print 2×33-1⁄2″ inner border strips to the remaining edges. Press all seams toward the inner border.
2. Add Outer Borders:
   • Cut and piece brown print 5-1⁄2×42″ strips to make:
     • 2 strips (5-1⁄2×43-1⁄2″) for the border
     • 2 strips (5-1⁄2×39-1⁄2″) for the outer border
   • Sew short brown print strips to the long edges of the quilt center. Add long brown print strips to the remaining edges. Press toward the outer border. The quilt top should be 43-1⁄2×49-1⁄2″ including seam allowances.

Finish the Quilt

1. Layer and Baste:
   • Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing. Baste them together to prepare for quilting.
2. Quilt:
   • Quilt as desired. The choice of quilting pattern can enhance the design and add texture.
3. Bind:
   • Use the print binding strips to bind the quilt, ensuring neat and secure edges.

Additional Tips

• Precision Cutting: Accurate cutting of fabric pieces ensures clean lines and well-fitted blocks.
• Seam Nesting: Nesting seams helps reduce bulk and achieve flatter, more precise quilt blocks.
• Pressing Matters: Properly pressing seams as you go can make a significant difference in the overall appearance and ease of assembly.

Creating the Prairie House Stars quilt is a journey through time and craftsmanship. This project not only results in a beautiful and cozy throw but also connects you to the rich heritage of quilting. Each block, each stitch, tells a story of tradition and creativity. As you wrap yourself in this cozy quilt, may you feel the warmth and pride of having crafted a piece that is both timeless and deeply personal.