✂️ Join the Paper Piecing Revolution with the Martha Washington Star Quilt Block ⭐

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The quilting revolution has begun! ⭐ Paper piecing the Martha Washington Star quilt block isn't just another technique—it's a declaration of independence from the tyranny of imperfect points and mismatched seams.

This tutorial demonstrates why so many quilters have converted to this revolutionary approach for star patterns.

With precise points guaranteed and significantly less trimming required, you'll soon understand why even the most traditional stitchers eventually join the paper piecing movement for blocks like the Martha Washington Star! 🪡

📋  General Instructions

Several abbreviations are used on this page. They are:

• SA - seam allowance
• RST - right sides together
• FG - Flying Geese
• 3P-QSTs - 3-patch Quarter Square Triangle pairs
• QST - Quarter Square Triangle
• HST - Half Square Triangle

A 1/4" SA is used in this tutorial.

📥  Download and print paper piecing pattern

To download the pattern, use the most current version of Adobe.

For accurate results, on Adobe's Print Menu page, under 'Page Size and Handling' set 'Custom Scale' to 100%. Then print.

Click here to see what it looks like on the Print Menu page.

Find your finished block size from the chart below. Print the corresponding number of pages for a total of two 3-Patch QST pairs and four Flying Geese for each block you want to make.

After printing, use the 1" square graphic on the printed page(s) to check that your patterns printed at the correct size.

Then cut out the required number of patterns from your copies. A rough cut is good enough—an 1/8"-1/4"-ish away from the outside dashed square.

Not sure which paper to use?

Take a look at my review of several of the most popular brands available to us quilters on the market.

You want a super-easy paper to tear away—less stress on the stitches. 

✂️  Cutting patches for your Martha Washington Star block

Sample Block Size:  10" finished / 10½" unfinished

Grid: 4x4 

Design Type:  Pinwheel  |  Star  |  Paper piecing  |  Unequal 9 Patch, Large Center

Attribution: The Farmer's Wife, 1926

AKA: 

• Dewey’s Victory (Clara Stone)
• Martha Washington Design (The Farmer’s Wife)
• Martha Washington (The Farmer’s Wife)
• Octagonal Star (Carlie Sexton)
• Queen Victoria (Evangeline’s)

Please label all your patches. We use their numbers throughout this tutorial.

To print a copy of the block design and cutting chart to use at your cutting table, click here.

						Cutting Chart for a Martha Washington Star Quilt Block ~ Paper Piecing ~
Patch	Fabric	Qty	Finished Block Size					Sub Cut
			4''	6''	8''	10''	12''
Goose1	Bac	1	3⅝'' x 3⅝''	4⅝'' x 4⅝''	5⅝'' x 5⅝''	6⅝'' x 6⅝''	7⅝'' x 7⅝''
Sky2	A	4	2⅜'' x 2⅜''	2⅞'' x 2⅞''	3⅜'' x 3⅜''	3⅞'' x 3⅞''	4⅜'' x 4⅜''
1, 4	A	1	2¾'' x 2¾''	3¼'' x 3¼''	3¾'' x 3¾''	4¼'' x 4¼''	4¾'' x 4¾''
2, 5	Bac	1	2¾'' x 2¾''	3¼'' x 3¼''	3¾'' x 3¾''	4¼'' x 4¼''	4¾'' x 4¾''
3, 6	Bac	2	2⅜'' x 2⅜''	2⅞'' x 2⅞''	3⅜'' x 3⅜''	3⅞'' x 3⅞''	4⅜'' x 4⅜''
7	Bac	4	1½'' x 1½''	2'' x 2''	2½'' x 2½''	3'' x 3''	3½'' x 3½''	---
Unfinished Block Size			4½''	6½''	8½''	10½''	12½''
Grid Size			1''	1½''	2''	2½''	3''

✂️✂️  Subcutting for paper piecing

These are the units after subcutting.

• #1 & #4, #2 & #5, and Goose,1 are cut twice on the diagonal to form QST shapes. 
• #3 & #6, and Sky.1 are cut only once on the diagonal to create HST shapes.

🪡  Assemble the units for your Martha Washington Star block

The first patch of both paper pieced units—the pairs of 3-patch QST and the FG—are held in position on the unprinted side of the pattern with the tiniest bit of Elmer's Washable Glue Stick®.

"A tiny dab will do'ya," as the saying goes. This only needs to hold long enough to stitch on the second patch,

Those dashed guidelines make placing these patches quick, easy, and accurate. Love that!

We need to make a few adjustments to our sewing machine settings to paper piece.

• Reduce your stitch length to 16–20 stitches per inch (1.3-1.6 mm). This perforates the paper and stabilizes the seam when you remove the pattern. [Learn more about stitch length here.]

• Reduce your machine's speed or just plain slow down. Sew only as fast as you can AND stay on the solid stitching line.

• Install an open toe appliqué foot (sometimes called an 'embroidery' or 'satin stitch' foot) if you have one (it makes it easier to see where you're stitching). 

• Use a larger needle (90/14) IF you have problems removing the pattern. Personally, I use an 80/12 Microtex Sharp for paper piecing without any issues.

Pressing

Center (3P-QSTs)

Make 2

Unlike the FG pattern, the 3P-QSTs pattern is the mirror image from the pattern to the fabric side.

With RST, match the edges of #2 with that of #1 (to avoid having to trim—gotta love those dashed placement lines!)

There's no need to nudge the other side of the #2 triangle (blue arrow). The patch that covers it is also cut from the light background fabric.

Sew this seam. 

Because we matched the edges of #1 and #2 with the blue arrow, there's no need to trim away excess fabric. ('Love being able to skip a skip!)

Match the long bias edge of #3 with #1/#2.

We nudge #3 a few threads over because half the patch covers the much darker fabric.

Stitch the seam.

To trim away the excess from #3 and prepare for adding #4, there are two options:

1. Use scissors and trim away enough of the long edge of #3 until it's even with the dashed placement line, or
2. Use the edge of your ruler to crease and fold the pattern back on itself 0n the solid line between #3 and #4. Then place the 1/4" mark on your ruler directly over the fold and trim away the extra with your rotary cutter.

Both methods work nicely. Choose the way that works best for you.

After trimming, match the long edge of #4 with the fresh trimmed edge or dashed placement line (these should be the same). Stitch from the pattern side.

Trim away the extra fabric from #4, using your chosen trimming technique again.

Repeat for the other exposed side of #4.

The 1/4" mark on the ruler is directly over the folded edge of the pattern, ready to trim down to a perfect 1/4" SA

Position #5 using the dashed placement lines surrounding #4 (to again avoid having to trim) and stitch,

Add #6 just as you did #3.

Make a second 3P-QSTs pair.

Set these sewn units aside for now.

Flying Geese (FG)

Make 4 

With RST, align the long bias edge of a Sky with one side of the Goose.

It doesn't matter which side you start on, though I recommend being consistent if you are making a bunch of these. It's more efficient to chain piece the FGs that way. These seams are both 'chain-piece-able' because they run from one outside edge to another outside edge of our FGs.

Sew the generous seam starting and ending past the outside dashed edges of the FG.

For the most accurate FG to piece with, be sure that you're stitching exactly on the lines where they touch the outside solid rectangle.

Repeat for the other side.

Trimming to size

Give all your paper pieced units a good pressing.

Double check✅✅ there are no tucks. Fix anything that needs fixing.

Then position your paper pieced patches paper side up on the cutting mat.

Match the 1/4" marks on your ruler with one side of the solid square. (blue arrow)

Trim away the excess.

Repeat for every side of every FG and 3-PQST

A FG before and after trimming. The top point and diagonal seams are exactly where they should be. All for the price of sewing on a line.

These Flying Geese sure clean up nice, don't they!

A 3P-QST unit looks like this after trimming. Awkward-looking, but correct.

Again, points and seams are accurately positioned.

It's time to remove all the paper

We cut patches so that all the outside edges are on the straight of grain—just like they'd be if you stitched with traditional methods.

The paper piecing's finished

Return your sewing machine to your everyday settings.

We stitch the remainder of the block with traditional techniques.

• Install your favorite quarter inch presser foot. 
• Adjust the needle position if needed for an accurate 1/4" SA
• Return to your normal piecing stitch length.

🧩 Assemble units into the Martha Washington Star design

Time to turn those 3P-QSTs into a pinwheel.

Match the edges that are half dark fabric, Pin as needed to hold the edges in position. Personally, I like to add a pin through the match point in the center for insurance. For a refresher on 'Pinning for Perfect Points', click here.

Arrange your stitched and cut patches so that the #7s are in the four corners, the pinwheel is in the center and the FG are in the middle on the sides, pointing in toward the center,

Sew the units in the rows together.

Press these seams away from the FGs.

Stitch the rows together, pinning as needed to hold everything in position.

One last time at the ironing board. It can be a bit lumpy where the points of a pinwheel and FG meet. Use my 'top-secret' 🕵️ pressing technique to help flatten your block. No expensive clapper to buy...simply use something already in your studio.

Sound the liberty bell! 🔔 Our Martha Washington Star block is victorious!

Take a look at the strategic seam work from the back of our Martha Washington Star quilt block.

The last two seams are pressed away from the center row.

📌   With Liberty, Justice, and Perfect Points for All!

The founding Quilters would approve of sharing this revolutionary technique!

Pin this Martha Washington Star quilt block tutorial to spread the word that paper piecing has freed us from the oppression of imperfect points! 🦅

🔭 Looking for something truly stellar? 

You've finished your star quilt block, and you're ready for more!

Browse our collection of 65+ stellar star quilt block patterns. All have instructions and cutting charts in multiple sizes. If templates or paper piecing is used in the tutorial, there's a free download for you of those materials.

Eeny. Meenie. Miney. Moe.

Which star quilt block will you sew?

For a star-studded quilting experience, choose from 100+ bedazzling star quilt patterns—for beginners and beyond—click here.

For even MORE blocks to make… 🧩🎨

...visit our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library, with over 260+ blocks to choose from in multiple sizes.

Free downloads are included in all sizes for any blocks require paper piecing patterns or templates.

This article was printed from Generations-Quilt-Patterns.com

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