About three years ago, Ahren asked me to make him a William Morris quilt. We went online and ordered a ton, and I mean a TON of fabric. Way more than we’d ever need. We wanted choices, you see. The fabric above is what we chose for the focus/border fabric. He picked out a pattern called Southern Stars by Free Spirit that he loved.
And I have been procrastinating making this quilt for all this time. It is getting embarrassing. The thing is, Morris fabrics are kind of tricky to work with. The prints are compliated, the prints usually large, there are loads of colors, and a scarcity of lights that work for backgrounds. I have two bins of these fabrics and each time I would drag them out I would get a headache.
Here are just some of the fabrics I pulled to test out next to the border fabric. My temples are starting to throb just looking at them all.
An even bigger problem than choosing the fabrics is that this is the worst pattern in the history of quilting. Ahren loves this pattern. After three years of not making his quilt with this pattern, I fessed up to him that the pattern is terrible. Everything is cut in 7/8th or 3/8ths increments; there is a colossal amount of waste, and the instructions are abysmal. He promised to do some research and come up with a different pattern.
And guess what? He proudly presented me with his new pattern selection: this exact same pattern. He didn’t even realize it was the same one; he just loved it.
Ok then, this is the pattern we are going to go with. Yesterday I dragged myself upstairs and made a test block. Honestly, it did not take that long. It took me 20 minutes to interpret the pattern directions and cut out the fabric for a block.
My fabrics weren’t starched, so the construction was kind of floppy, but I will rectify that issue. It is perfect starching weather: zero humidity and 93 degrees with a slight breeze. I will start afresh today and see if I can’t get a couple of blocks done each day. I only need to make 20.
When the blocks are sewn together, the white pieces will form the stars against the scrappy William Morris fabrics.
My goal is to get this done and quilted for him for Christmas.
Hope you are all doing great. My sewing motivation has been at an all-time low, so with luck, this project will help me snap out of it!
43 Responses
What won’t we do for our children?!! I can understand why he likes it, I love stars too. The material is gorgeous .
I do enjoy the fabrics as well, but they are so tricky to combine in a way that doesn’t look jumbled and busy. I think it is just me!
Hi Nicole,
That really looks like a hunter star quilt to me. I did a quick google search and came across this;
https://www.americanquilter.com/product/victorian-hunter-star-revival-quilt-kit/
I have used the studio 180 hunter star ruler with great success, although I made a 2 fabric quilt. Scrappy is doable. Good luck!
Love this quilt but couldn’t find the pattern – any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
It is a free pattern on Fat Quarter Shop: https://www.fatquartershop.com/southern-stars-quilt-free-pdf-pattern
I would think it is available for free elsewhere as well. It is a simpler (supposedly) variation of the classic Hunter’s Star pattern.
On second thought, go with the Confetti Stars pattern by Material Girlfriends Arlyn suggested. I googled it and came up with loads of places you can order it from or get a digital download. I went digital and have the pattern printed out already!
It is the cutting instruction that is so awful. You cut the squares 8 7/8″. You cut the rectangles 3 3/8″ by
11 7/8″. Squares are 3 3/8″. Why???
I can’t sew well enough to use those odd measurements so I always size up to the full 1/4,1/2, or full inch and then trim a sliver. Not too much waste. Those fabrics are stunning but you are right about putting them together. Still, it will be handsome when it’s done.
You are right Joanne. I am going to do some research and see if I can come up with an easier version I can adapt to the look Ahren is going for.
Oh what a trooper you are! Kudos for pressing on! 🎉👏It is gorgeous material and I look forward to seeing your progress!
I have my fabric half starched, and am planning to make a few more blocks today.
William Morris! I love his work; I even bought a coffee mug recently with a WM print on it. This quilt will be stunning!
This is the second or third William Morris quilt I have made for him. He loves the fabric. Those prints are crazy to work with, though. None of them is a blender. Every piece of fabric stands out on its own.
The fabric is beautiful, but I don’t blame you for not wanting to deal with 1/8-inch increments. Is it possible to round up and trim?
I’ve made some quilts from patterns I hated because the recipient wanted it. I didn’t enjoy the process at all, even if the pattern was well-written. But the recipients were happy, and that made me happy.
I hope that when you finish, you’ll be so happy with the results. I know it will be lovely!
At least it is a small quilt in the end. The blocks are 12″, but the finished quilt is only around 56″ square. 20 blocks, total. I can do it.
My first thought was that it’s Hunter’s Star. There are many ways to make those blocks! (If I were going to make it I’d use Deb Tucker’s ruler.) Sorry the original pattern caused so many headaches. Gorgeous fabric, though!
I wish I could find a different pattern for the block that has more standard cutting measurements. I don’t know if I could make it larger and trim down. I didn’t think it would work. What I do like about this block is that the star itself isn’t fragmented, as in a traditional Hunter’s Star block. I will start researching and see if I can find a simpler pattern and make this design work.
There are lots of easier ways to make a Hunter’s Star quilt. I just made one using this pattern:
https://www.materialgirlfriendsshop.com/product/confetti-star-quilt-pattern/11
I wanted light star points so I did wind up wasting a lot of print diamonds.
Arlyn, you are a lifesaver! The Confetti Star pattern is going to solve all my problems. It is made with simple 10″ squares and if I make all dark background blocks I will get the look Ahren wants with the solid light stars. Thank you so much for suggesting this. I have already downloaded the PDF pattern and printed it out. I can’t wait to get started now! This has really changed my attitude and enthusiasm level. I really appredciate the time you took to comment!
I love William Morris fabric and have a collection of it that I have started but not yet used. My first thought on the quilt was what a mother will do for her precious child. I understand that. I also understand that the quilt pattern is not something you would choose. I am sure that the quilt will be gorgeous as all your quilts are. Perhaps it will be the inspiration I need to cut into my William Morris fabrics.
With the change in direction I have made using Arlyn;s suggestion to use the Confetti Stars pattern I have a much better attitude about making this quilt. I wish I had mentioned this in a post two years ago, Ahren might have his quilt already!
I have this pattern too. Same thing, sitting there waiting on me to figure it out. It looks great.
Throw it in the bin. I just downloaded the Confetti Stars pattern by Material Girlfriends that Arlyn suggested in her comment above. It is made with simple 10 inch squares. Now I can’t wait to get started!
I immediately thought Hunter’s Star. It will look great when you have completed it, such nice winter warmer colouring. My daughter did the same – she always liked visiting the quilt shops. I wish she stayed home! We ended up with loads of fabric, I turned most into a 21st birthday quilt and then all the other fabrics (plus some new ones) went into her wedding quilt. I have an awful lot of scraps left over!
I am embarrassed to say that between the two of us, Ahren and I spent a couple of hundred dollars on fabric. I will never in a million years use it all. I am definitely going to have to make more William Morris quilts to make a dent in the two tubs of material we have.
1) spent a couple of hundred dollars? so easy to do! I never feel guilty about that? I should.
2) when I die they will say I was a fabric hoarder. I’m okay with that. I don’t even try to hide my fabric. I display it in glass cabinets which allows me to see it and be inspired every day.
I can’t even imagine the shock and horror my daughter will feel when she has to go through my stuff. Ahren, not so much, we seem to be kindred spirits when it comes to collecting way too much of something we like. Sara will just hire a “Got Junk?” truck to come take it all away. lol
I sympathize with making a quilt when you don’t love the pattern.
I made a quilt for my graduating grandson who chose fabric and pattern. Not very pretty. I echo what everyone has said about using the hunters star pattern. I have made two, one with studio 180 pattern and ruler the other one another pattern. I much prefer Studio 180 for everything, partly because I am left handed.
I have a much more enthusiastic attitude now that I downloaded the Confetti Stars pattern Arlyn recommended in her comment above. Now I need to figure out what ruler to use to make my diagonal cuts. I must have something on hand that will work. I am too impatient to order a specific Hunter Star ruler!
Beautiful fabrics! What a challenge trying to work with a pattern that uses the odd measurements. It will be stunning. 😊
Now that I have a new plan I think I will enjoy the process so much more!
I feel less alone when reading that you are having low quilting motivation. I’ve had this problem for a while now and hope to get out of the slump. You’re brave to take on this project but I know it will turn out beautifully as your work always looks so good.
For me, I think I have an issue with time management these days. My morning walk time is scheduled right when I used to be up in the sewing room sewing. Now I don’t bother to go up because I know I will be interrupted, so why start anything. I need to figure out how to make both things work. I have not been spending my time well at all.
Ahren obviously REALLY likes that pattern, lol! You’re such a good mom for persevering with a not great pattern. It’s sure going to be gorgeous with those fabulous fabrics! 🩷
It was a head-slap moment for sure when he sent me his second-choice pattern, and it was the exact same one as his first choice. At least he is consistent, right? I know it will be great when I finish it. I just need to settle on a construction technique I can live with. Those 3/8 and 7/8 meaurements are a deal breaker.
Arlyn for the win!🏅 It’s exciting that she was able to point you toward a pattern that will give the same effect, but isn’t measured in eighths of an inch! Now you’re ready to get Ahren’s long-awaited quilt put together!
I am getting so many great suggestions for how to make this block! I want to down load all the different patterns and order all the rulers….
I FEEL SEEN!
lol. So far I have ordered two patterns and two very expensive rulers.
Good Morning Nicole, I have made another pattern that is somewhat similar to the look you are trying to achieve with Ahren’s choice of pattern and fabrics. This was quite an easy pattern and the stars are created with the sewing of the larger blocks. I don’t recall any trouble making it at all and does well at showing off fabrics with prints. Just a thought… https://quiltyloveshop.com/products/star-pop-ii-pdf-quilt-pattern-automatic-download
That is a great option Patty. I see there is a Star Pop I and a Star Pop II. I am going down a rabbit hole with all the pattern options and ruler choices for this block! I am so glad I brought it up because I am getting so many great ideas. I have also been watching YouTube videos and there are some very cool variations on this block. I can envision some amazing table toppers using the block.
The great thing about William Morris fabrics, in my opinion, is they all flow quite nicely once they are cut up and sewn together. Morris fabrics have always been a favorite of mine. I made a tessellation quilt long ago from a bundle I had and loved it. I gave it to my MIL who also loved it. I want one for myself;)
I made a tessellation quilt years ago and swore I’d never make another one. And you know what? I adore that quilt and want another one. Since i have so much Morris fabric to play with maybe I should do that!!