A few years ago, I first started writing patterns for Sew Mama Sew, and did 5 patterns based on Quilt Design a Day designs. Sew Mama Sew blog is no longer available but I still get asked about some of the patterns.

I’ve decided to republish those free patterns here. First one, is Succulent (renamed as Succulent Star for this post).

Inspiration

Succulent Star, is inspired by the design seeds color palette and image for 30 July 2014. This is one of my favorite designs as it is simplistic in nature, but it took me out of my comfort zone. The color palette is not my typical chose of palettes – Brown, Greens and Coral. 

Fabric Requirements (40″ square quilt)

Fabric A (Kona Mint): Fat Eighth (21″ x 9″) yard
Fabric B (Kona Candy Green) : Fat Eighth (21″ x 9″) yard
Fabric C (Kona Leaf) : Fat Eighth (21″ x 9″) yard
Fabric D (Kona Peach) : Fat Quarter (21″ x 18″) yard
Fabric E (Kona Chocolate) : 2 yards
Backing fabric and Batting: 48” Square
Binding: 190” (of your desired binding width, I use 2 1/4″)

Cutting Instructions

Fabric	Cutting Instructions
A	Six (6) 4.5” squares
B	Six (6) 4.5” squares
C	Eight (8) 4.5” squares
D	Ten (10) 4.5” squares
E	Thirty (30) 4.5” squares
	One (1) 3.5” square (Center)
	Four (4) 3 1/2” x 3 3/4” (E7)
	Four (4) 3 1/2” x 6 3/4” (E6)
	Four (4) 3 1/2” x 9 3/4” (E5)
	Four (4) 3 1/2” x 12 3/4” (E4)
	Four (4) 3 1/2” x 15 3/4” (E3)
	Four (4) 3 1/2” x 18 3/4” (E2)
	Two (2) 40” x 3 1/2”  (E1)

Terminology

HST – Half Square Triangles
WOF – Width of Fabric
RST – Right Sides Together
Seam Allowance: 1/4” seam allowance

Creating the HST

First step, is to make the HSTs. There are many ways to do this. I like to make mine two at a time. Each HST will measure 3.5″ unfinished (3″ finished).

1. Take all the 4.5” square pieces. Match each of Fabric A, B, C, D  squares RST with a square from Fabric E. Right sides together. Make sure you line up all the corners of the two squares.
2. On the lightest fabric, draw a line with washable fabric marker across one of the diagonals. 
3. Sew a ¼ inch seam on either side of the diagonal line.
   
   
   
4. Cut on the diagonal drawn line (marked line, solid in the image above, goes from corner to corner). Press open. Repeat with all squares, until you have a total of 60 HSTs.
   
   
   
5. Using a square ruler with a 45 degree line on it, trim the HST to 3.5”, by lining up your seams with the 45 degree line on the ruler.

NOTE: I like to trim my blocks down for accuracy, so I do make them slightly larger. The equation I used to get the final HST is:

Final block size + 1” = 3.5+1 = 4.5 (others may use 3.5 + 7/8)

Assembly of the quilt top

1. Assemble the quilt row by row. I start with E1 from the bottom and work my way up. Press seams as you finish each row.
   NOTE: Pieces marked with A, B, C and D refer to the HST combination. Make sure you notice in which half the letter donation is (top or bottom) as this helps orient the block correctly. The center is a single 3.5″ square of E.
2. Once all individual rows are sewn, as depicted in the diagram above, sew each row together. Put each row RST and line up the HST starting from the center of the row, moving out each direction. Use pins to hold them in place. Stitch and press each row.
3. When all rows are joined and all seams are pressed, baste and quilt your sandwich using the technique of your choice. Square your quilt and bind it to finish your quilt.

Larger Option (76″ square)

I have also used this pattern in a larger lap-sized quilt of 76″ x 76″. I had an Alison Glass Charm pack and the HST were 5″ charm pack friendly. Below are some of the differences to consider when adapting the pattern for this 76″ squared quilt.

• The starting square size for the triangles were 5″, this meant the HST’s when trimmed measured 4.5″ and 4″ finished.
• This quilt used a different color in each spiral. From outside to inside: Green, Pink/Purple, Yellow, Blue/Teal, Orange/Red, Low Volume, Black/Gray.
• There are extra 3 spiral rows around center, making the widest row 19 squares wide instead of 13 as above in the wall hanging version of the quilt. This means the you will need 12 (yellow) , 14 (pink/purple), 16 (green) square of each color (2 extra squares for 4 extra HST per spiral).
• Measurements for the outer strips can be seen in this diagram below (which are finished sizes so add 1/2″ for seam allowance). You will need 4 of each of these measurements (except the 4″ square as the others represent a quarter). You will also need 2 pieces of 76″ finished (76.5″ strips) for the top and bottom which are not on this diagram.

Once you have the layout worked out for this larger quilt, you stitch rows together, quilt and bind as you wish.

I hope you enjoy the pattern. I would love to see the final quilts on Instagram, so feel free to share with #succulentstarquilt.