Economy Star Parade Sew-Along
This June, let’s sew a parade!
I love patchwork quilts with layers of design. A good secondary pattern is a bonus design that often comes into focus when you take a second look. It has that aha! factor that’s really fun.
Today I’m releasing a fresh new pattern - Economy Star Parade! This Color Mentor pattern helps you explore color with a focus on creating successful secondary designs. I discuss how to use contrast in color, value and pattern in this context. The quilt is a simple grid of economy blocks, but you’ll learn to use fabric strategically to cause a parade of stars to emerge along the edges.
Plus, fussy cutting! This quilt is a perfectly delightful way to use all your favorite fabrics that deserve showcasing.
Join in on the fun by subscribing to my blog and following #EconomyStar on Instagram. Your shared sew-along photos might end up shared here on the blog and qualify you to win a special prize at the end of June.
You can sew-along, whatever your pace!
the Quilt
Economy Star Parade is a generous throw-sized quilt, finishing at 72” square. It’s made up of a grid of 8” finished economy blocks. If you are an experienced quilter and wish to sew along without buying the pattern, please feel welcome.
Don’t like to do quilt math? Need some guidance in choosing fabrics for the stars? Wishing for a nice quilt diagram and block count for the different kinds of blocks needed to create the stars? Well then, I created the pattern for you, my friend.
Good news - this project is suitable for a new quilter! If you’ve sewn some patchwork before, don’t be intimidated by the points in this block. There is margin-for-error in my block construction method! I’ll teach you how to sew the block traditionally, no paper piecing or fancy rulers required. After completing each block, you will trim-to-perfection since some fabrics are oversized to make trimming easy.
the Supplies
The Economy Star Parade pattern is quite versatile. It works well with scraps or yardage, and is also fat quarter friendly. With all these options, you may be able to use fabrics already on hand.
Choosing fabric for the stars is a critical step. The pattern discusses different approaches like using one consistent fabric, as I did in the yellow star version, or alternating between two fabrics, as I’ve chosen to do in my black/midnight star version. That’s the quilt that I’ll be completing during our June sew-along. You can even use a different fabric for each of the 12 stars.
I do recommend that you consult the pattern before choosing fabric(s) for the stars! Fabric requirements will not be publicly posted; however, my economy block sewing method will be posted as a free tutorial later this week.
You’ll need a 8.5” square quilting ruler for trimming blocks. If you plan to fussy cut, a 4.5” square quilting ruler will also come in handy.
Goals + Posts
Sew-along Goals
Relax with a simple, quick little block
Have fun fussy cutting and playing with fabric combos
Start sewing June 7th
Sew 16-24 blocks per week to complete quilt top in 4 weeks
Relevant Posts
Prize
This time I’m sharing a prize directly from my resource library - QuilterSpace! This PDF course is designed to help you organize and beautify your sewing space in five detailed modules.
Share your Economy Star Parade progress on Instagram throughout the stitch-along to enter. You don't have to keep up with our schedule to qualify. Stitch at your happy pace and enjoy!
Tag your photos #Economy Star to share them with our community. Each photo is a chance to win! Winner will be selected randomly at the end of June.
Come Sew-Along!
Choose your Star Fabric(s)!
Subscribe to Stitched in Color via email to get all sew-along posts
Post the sew-along button with #EconomyStar to help share the fun!