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Patriotic Mini Quilt

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Inside: Patriotic Mini Quilt

It’s no secret, I love quilted table toppers (and table runners). They are ideal for adding some simple holiday decor and can be whipped up in an afternoon or two.

And that’s the idea behind this quilted Patriotic Table Topper. It combines a Sawtooth Star quilt block with Log Cabin-like construction.

But, I have to warn you…This project is easier than you think! So, you may plan to make several!

Patriotic Mini Quilt

Want an ad-free, printable copy of this tutorial? Scroll to the bottom of this post for more details!


How to Make a Patriotic Mini Quilt

Patriotic Mini Quilt

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Materials

  • Red Fabric: 1/4 yard
  • White Fabric: 3/4 yard
  • Blue Fabric: 1/4 yard
  • Binding Fabric: 1/4 yard 
  • Quilt Backing Fabric: a scrap approximately 24” x 24”
  • Fusible Batting: 24” x 24”
  • Thread
  • Rotary Cutter/Mat

Supplies


Cutting Instructions

Patriotic Mini Quilt

Cut out the different shapes as listed below. It is easy to get your different pieces mixed up so I recommend you label them using something like sticky notes or paper scraps. 

Cut (4) 3.5” x 3.5” Blue Squares (A)

Cut (4) 6.5” x 3.5” Blue Rectangles (B)

Cut (1) 4” x 14” White Fabric (C)

Cut (1)  4” x 17.5” White Fabric (D)

Cut (1) 4” x 22” Red Fabric (E)

Cut (1) 4” x 17.5” Red Fabric (F)

Cut (1) 6.5” x 6.5” White Square (G)

Cut (8) 3.5” x 3.5” White Squares (H)

Cut (3) 1.5” x 40” (WOF) White Strips (I)

Cut (2-3) 2.25” x 40” (WOF) Blue Strips (J)


Step 1: Assembling the Flying Geese Units for the Sawtooth Star

This mini quilt starts with making four Flying Geese units. This isn’t as hard as it sounds, it just requires you take your time and faithfully follow the steps below.

Let this diagram be your guide.

Learn How To Make A Perfect Sawtooth Star Quilt Block.
  1. With a water-erasable pen, mark the white squares (H) with a diagonal line from corner to corner . This will make really accurate flying geese.
  2. Lay a piece (H) right sides together on top of piece (B). Sew along the diagonal marked line.
  3. Cut off the excess fabric, leaving a ¼” seam allowance. Set your seam with an iron. Press seam to one side.
  4. Take another piece (H) and lay it on the top of the other side of the same piece (B). Sew along the diagonal marked line.
  5. Cut off the excess fabric, leaving a ¼” seam allowance. Set your seam with an iron. Press seam to one side. Trim to 3.5″ x 6.5″, if needed.
  6. Make (3) more Flying Geese units. Set aside.

Step 2: Assembling the Star

You will need to assemble the Sawtooth Star portion of the quilt in this step. Follow these steps in order and your star will come together beautifully.

  • Left and Right Column: Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew a blue square (A) to the top and bottom of a Flying Geese unit. Press seams to one side. Repeat for the bottom row.
Patriotic Mini Quilt
  • Center Column: Sew Flying Geese units to the top and bottom of the center square (G). Note: Make sure your “geese” are in the right position.
Patriotic Mini Quilt
  • Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew the left and right columns to the center column. Press seams to one side. Be sure to match the points.
  • Give the completed star a final press. Square up, if necessary.
  • Set the completed star aside.

Step 3: Assembling the Log Cabin Strips

  • On the right side of the star, attach the shorter white strip (C). Trim away any excess on the sides so seams allowances line up. Pro tip: When sewing to the star, leave a little extra at the top and bottom, then trim the excess fabric.
  • Across the bottom of the star, attach the longer white strip (D) in the same manner. Trim away any excess on the sides so seams allowances line up.

Pro Tip: Be careful not to cut off the points of the star.

Patriotic Mini Quilt
  • On the right side, attach the shorter red strip (F). Trim away any excess on the sides so seams allowances line up.
  • Across the bottom, attach the longer red strip (E). Trim away any excess on the sides so seams allowances line up. Press seam away from block.
Patriotic Mini Quilt

Step 4: Adding the Border

The border is a small touch that finishes out the look of this mini quilt and makes the binding stand out.

Patriotic Mini Quilt
  1. Attach a 1.5″ strip (I) to the top edge of the quilt and trim excess. Repeat on quilt bottom.
  2. Attach a 1.5” border strips (I) to the left side of the quilt and trim excess. Repeat on the right side.
  3. Spray starch the entire quilt top and press.

Step 5: Quilting & Squaring

  1. Make a quilt sandwich by laying the backing fabric right side down. Next, place a piece of 2-sided fusible batting on top. Then place the quilt top wrong side down on top of the batting.
  2. Press the quilt sandwich with a hot, dry iron for 10 seconds to set the fusible batting.
Patriotic Mini Quilt

Quilt in your favorite style. This can be as simple as you want with straight line quilting or an all-over meander. 

For my sample quilt, I quilted a diagonal grid 1.5” apart. Since this is a mini-quilt, it’s a good opportunity to try something fun. Note: If doing a grid, I recommend using an Open Toe foot and a guide.

Patriotic Mini Quilt

Once your quilt top is finished, square up the quilt using a large square ruler.

Patriotic Mini Quilt

Step 6: Finishing the Quilt

(Optional Step) At this point you may want to consider adding optional hanging corners to the back of your quilt. 

If you’re making a wall hanging, I recommend adding hanging corners on the back. This allows you to slip in a small dowel for hanging.

To do this, fold two 3” fabric squares wrong sides together in half to form two triangles. With raw edges matching, pin the triangles to the top left and top right corners. Using a 1/8” seam allowance, stitch to hold in place until binding is added.

The final step is to bind your quilt. If you’re new to quilting, check out my tutorial below. There is also a quick video that shows the process in the post.

>>> Click here for a tutorial on How to Machine Bind a Quilt.


Once finished, your quilt will be 20″ x 20″.

Wasn’t that easy. Now, set your Patriotic Mini Quilt in the middle of your table and enjoy!

Patriotic Mini Quilt

>>> Want an ad-free, printable version of this post? Click the pink button below and download the Printable PDF instructions.

Patriotic Mini Quilt Printable Post Cover

See a few of my favorite table toppers and table runners

Midnight Star

Spooky Dresden Village

Valentine’s Table Runner

Christmas Table Runner

Sewing Machine Wall Hanging


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