North Stars

This sampler quilt features nine animals of the Arctic, including Polar Bear, Walrus, Owl, Narwhal, Seal, Otter, Muskox, Fox, and Reindeer.

QUILT SIZES

This pattern includes nine different blocks, 24" x 24" each. The gallery images below show the 82" x 82" Large Quilt, which is made with one of each block.

SMALL QUILT

The 54" x 54" Small Quilt is made with any four of the blocks.

PILLOW

You can make a 24" x 24" pillow using any one of the nine blocks.

ABOUT THE PATTERN

This is a patchwork-pieced pattern. The blocks are made entirely of rotary-cut squares and rectangles, and everything is sewn together using conventional patchwork techniques. No templates or paper piecing!

The pattern includes a diagram and chart showing all of the pieces needed to make each block. You can use this as a reference while making the pattern projects, or as a guide for making individual blocks and scrappy projects.

Among my patterns, North Stars is rated Skill Level 4 (of 5). You can read more about skill levels here.

ABOUT THE FABRIC

Each block includes one or two animals and patchwork "stars" (a combination of half square triangle and flying geese units). The pattern includes a detailed chart on Pages 6 - 8 that shows all of the fabrics I used to make my Large Quilt sample.

Both the animals and leaves are made with 9" x 21" fat eighths. Different amounts of each fabric will be used and, in some cases, you may have fabric left over.

Because you don't need very much (no more than 9" x 21") of any of the block fabrics, this is a great project for using odds and ends from your fabric stash. Refer to the individual block directions to see exactly what you will need to make each block.

PIECED QUILT BACK

The pattern includes instructions for making an optional pieced back for the Large Quilt. The pieced back makes a lovely addition to the quilt, uses leftover fabric, and reduces the amount of yardage you will need to make the quilt back.

ABOUT THE QUILTING

My sample quilt was free-motion quilted by me, on my Janome 1600p, using a pattern of meandering squares. For longarm quilting, any similarly-dense edge-to-edge design should look great!

ORIGINAL EDITION

The original version of this pattern featured a sample quilt using my now-out-of-print Arctic fabric. If you have this version of the pattern, you can use it with the fabric guide that's linked below to make a quilt that looks like the one in the newer edition.

THE SMALL PRINT

North Stars pattern and quilt design ©2018 and 2022 by Elizabeth Hartman. This pattern may not be used to make items for sale in any quantity or venue. No part of this pattern may be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of the author.