Folded patchwork star is made by folding and layering fabrics together, which makes it look like fabric origami. It looks great but complicated to make , however it has a simple technique. The star design looks perfect for place mats, mug rags, pot holders or any kind of decoration. It is also great to use your fabric stash.
If you are one of those that see this folded star pattern and admire it but think that it is hard to do, this tutorial is for you. Why don't you give a try to this technique which is quite simple?
The finished size of the pattern is 7"x 7"
Requirements
- Cut 2 of 8"x 8" squares; one for background and one for backing.
- Cut 5 of 3"x 3" squares (Row 1)
- Cut 8 of 3.5"x 3.5" squares (Row 2)
- Cut 8 of 4"x 4" squares (Row3)
- Cut 4 of 4.5"x 4.5" squares (Row 4)
- Cut 4 of 5"x 5" squares (Row 4)
Instructions
Step 1. Take your one of 8" square fabric. This is going to be your foundation piece. Fold it in half diagonally, finger press or press with iron, fold again diagonally and press. So you will get the lines on fabric as in the image below.
Use a ruler and pencil or a marking pen to highlight the fold lines.
Again mark along the center lines, 1
1/2 ", 2 1/4", 3", 3 3/4". These will be the placement lines.
Step 2. Take one of the 3" squares and fold in half, fold in half again and press. Then take the two centers and fold towards the pressed center line. You need to have a small gap down the center line for your folded tiangle. Repeat the process for the three more squares, leaving one square. Below you can see the steps of folding through a triangle.
Place the 3" square over the center of the background fabric matching the first marks. So you do not see the base fabric.
Place your four folded and ironed triangles and match the raw edges with the first marks. Make sure that your guidelines line up with the folds in your triangles. Pin in place.
Stitch the four triangles to the background fabric as shown below.
Step 3. Take your 3.5" squares(here green). Fold your squares again to make triangles, using the same method in Step 2. Place the four folded triangles with the center fold matching the secong marks. Place the other four folded triangles with the center fold along the diagonal line, half inch away from the center point.
Pin in place and edge stitch around the raw edges. It will look like the image below.
Step 4. Take your 4" squares, which are red in my pattern. Fold your squares to make triangles, using the same method as mentioned above. Place the first four folded triangles with the center fold matching the third mark on the background fabric. Then place the other four folded triangles with the center fold along the diagonal line. They should be 1" away from the center point. Pin in place and edge stitch around the raw edges.
Step 5. Take your four 4.5" squares (mine are green). Fold squares to make triangles as mentioned in Step 2. Place these four folded triangles with the center fold matching the next line on the background fabric.
Step 6. Take a 5" square and fold it in half diagonally and press with iron, fold in half again and iron. Then take the two corners and fold them through the center line. You will get a square shape. The same as the folded triangles, you need to have a small gap down the center line for the folded square. Repeat the same process for the other three 5" squares. Have a look at the image below.
Place the folded squares with the center fold along the diagonal line, 1.5" away from center point. Pin in place and edge stitch around raw edges.
Step 7. Trim the square to 7" and cut also the backing to7". Place the backing square underneath your folded star, wrong sides together. You can also add batting at this point but the mat is quite thick. Stitch across the math through the folded points.
Step 8. Add the binding.
Your folded star has been completed.
BONUS: Below you can find more quilt blocks with tutorials. We always need inspiration. Hope you get it here.
