Carpenter Star Quilt – Free Pattern

The Carpenter Star quilt pattern is a stunning yet surprisingly simple design, perfect for quilters of all skill levels, especially beginners.

This traditional pattern, also known as the Carpenter’s Wheel or Carpenter’s Star, combines the charm of star quilts with a geometric twist, creating a bold, eye-catching quilt that looks complex but is easy to assemble.

In this guide, we will provide a free pattern and step-by-step instructions on how to make your own Carpenter Star quilt.

What is a Carpenter Star Quilt?

The Carpenter Star quilt is an eight-pointed star that gives the illusion of intricate piecing, but it’s mainly constructed with basic shapes like squares and half-square triangles (HSTs).

These building blocks make it an ideal project for beginners who want to create a quilt with a dramatic impact while practicing fundamental quilting techniques.

This pattern can be made in various sizes, from a small wall hanging to a full-sized bed quilt, depending on the block size and number of blocks you choose to create.

Materials You Will Need:

To make your Carpenter Star quilt, you’ll need the following materials:

• Fabric:
  • Background fabric: Typically a solid or neutral color.
  • Star fabric: Choose fabrics that contrast with the background to make the star pop.
  • Accent fabric (optional): For additional details around the star.
• Thread: Matching or contrasting thread for piecing and quilting.
• Sewing machine: For piecing the quilt top.
• Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat: For accurate fabric cutting.
• Pins and scissors: For securing and trimming your fabric pieces.
• Batting: To give your quilt loft and warmth.
• Backing fabric: A solid or patterned fabric for the quilt back.

Quilt Size

For this tutorial, we will create a throw-size Carpenter Star quilt, which measures approximately 60″ x 60″. If you wish to adjust the size, simply add or reduce the number of blocks or change the size of your blocks.

Carpenter Star Quilt: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Choose and Prepare Your Fabrics

Before you begin cutting your fabric, decide on the color scheme for your Carpenter Star quilt. Typically, the quilt features two contrasting fabrics: one for the star and one for the background. You can also choose a third color for the accent areas around the star.

For a classic look, you might choose a bold color for the star and a lighter, neutral background. If you want a more modern twist, try using multiple prints or a gradient of colors for the star.

Step 2: Cut Your Fabric Pieces

For a 60″ x 60″ Carpenter Star quilt, you’ll need to cut the following pieces:

1. Background Fabric:
   • 8 squares, 10″ x 10″ (for half-square triangles)
   • 4 squares, 9.5″ x 9.5″ (for the corners)
   • 4 rectangles, 9.5″ x 19.5″ (for the sides)
2. Star Fabric:
   • 8 squares, 10″ x 10″ (for half-square triangles)
   • 4 squares, 9.5″ x 9.5″ (for the star center)
3. Optional Accent Fabric (if you want a third color):
   • 8 squares, 10″ x 10″ (for additional half-square triangles)

Step 3: Make Half-Square Triangles (HSTs)

The Carpenter Star quilt’s design relies heavily on half-square triangles (HSTs). Follow these simple steps to create them:

1. Pair the Squares: Take one 10″ x 10″ background fabric square and one 10″ x 10″ star fabric square. Place them right sides together.
2. Draw a Diagonal Line: Using a fabric marker or pencil, draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the back of the top square.
3. Sew Along Both Sides of the Line: Stitch a straight seam 1/4″ away from both sides of the drawn line.
4. Cut Along the Line: After sewing, cut along the drawn line to separate the two triangles. When you open them up, you’ll have two half-square triangles.
5. Press the Seams: Press the seams to the darker side or open, depending on your preference.
6. Trim to Size: Trim each HST to 9.5″ x 9.5″ to ensure all your blocks are the same size.

Repeat this process with all the 10″ x 10″ squares. You should end up with 16 half-square triangles.

Step 4: Lay Out the Blocks

Once your HSTs are complete, it’s time to lay out the Carpenter Star design. Arrange your blocks in a 4×4 grid as follows:

• Place the 4 background 9.5″ x 9.5″ squares in the four corners.
• Arrange the HSTs to create the star points, ensuring that the colors alternate to form the star.
• Position the 9.5″ x 9.5″ star fabric squares in the center of the grid to form the body of the star.

Take your time during this step to make sure the layout is correct before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Sew the Blocks Together

Now that you’ve laid out your Carpenter Star design, it’s time to sew the blocks together.

1. Sew the Blocks into Rows: Start by sewing the blocks together in rows. Use a 1/4″ seam allowance and pin the pieces as needed to keep everything aligned.
2. Press the Seams: Once the rows are sewn, press the seams open or to one side to reduce bulk.
3. Sew the Rows Together: After pressing, sew the rows together to complete the quilt top.

Step 6: Add Borders (Optional)

If you’d like to enlarge your Carpenter Star quilt or add a frame to the design, consider adding borders. Cut strips of fabric to the desired width (2.5″ to 5″ wide) and sew them around the edges of your quilt top.

For a more dramatic effect, you can add multiple borders in different fabrics.

Step 7: Layer and Quilt

Once your quilt top is complete, it’s time to layer and quilt your project.

1. Create the Quilt Sandwich: Lay your backing fabric right side down, place the batting on top, and then position your quilt top right side up. Smooth out all the layers, ensuring there are no wrinkles, and pin or baste them together.
2. Quilt the Layers: Quilt the layers together using your preferred method. For beginners, a simple straight-line quilting technique or stitch-in-the-ditch quilting (where you sew along the seams) is a great option.
3. Trim the Excess Fabric: After quilting, trim any excess batting and backing fabric around the edges of the quilt.

Step 8: Bind the Quilt

To finish your Carpenter Star quilt, you’ll need to bind the edges. Here’s how:

1. Cut the Binding Strips: Cut strips of fabric 2.5″ wide and long enough to go around the entire perimeter of your quilt.
2. Sew the Binding: Attach the binding to the front of the quilt, folding it over the edge, and hand stitch it to the back for a neat finish.

Final Thoughts

Congratulations! You’ve completed your Carpenter Star quilt. This project is perfect for beginners looking to improve their quilting skills while creating a striking and traditional quilt design.

Whether you use bold, modern colors or stick to classic combinations, the Carpenter Star quilt will make a beautiful addition to any home.

Enjoy your quilting journey and remember, each project you complete brings you one step closer to mastering the art of quilting!