Sparkle Punch Quilt-Along: What You'll Need

Find the Sparkle Punch Quilt-Along main page here.

Read about Mo’s Sparkle Punch quilt here. 

Today’s post is all about the materials you’ll need to make your very own Sparkle Punch Quilt.

These fabric requirements are for a 60” x 72” quilt (generous lap quilt size) but don’t hesitate to make your own calculations/revisions to make the quilt in a different size.

This quilt design, with nestled stars that appear to continue off the quilt top, uses both whole and partial stars.

Clockwise from top-left: whole star, three-quarter star, quarter star, half star

All of the stars are made with sets of 3½” x 3½” squares. For the stars (just the stars - not the negative space behind them) you will need:

• 80 sets of 5 squares to make whole stars for the quilt top
• 4 sets of 5 squares to make whole stars for the quilt back
• 14 sets of 4 squares to make three-quarter stars for the quilt top
• 2 sets of 3 squares to make half stars for the quilt top
• 18 single squares to make quarter stars for the quilt top

If you prefer, you can make your composition include fewer stars, arranged in an asymmetrical arrangement kind of like this. If you do that, you’ll end up needing fewer sets of squares to make stars and more fabric for your negative space. (I’ll talk more about this kind of composition in the Making The Quit Top post.)

The color scheme for my quilt was inspired by this gorgeous Echino print so, for my stars, I raided my scraps to select monochromatic print and solid fabrics in pinks, purples, sea greens, grays, browns, beiges, and black. I also fussy-cut some squares from the Echino print.

You can use as many or few different fabrics for your stars as you want, but here are a couple of suggestions: 

• Small to medium monochromatic prints and solids will show off the sharp edges of the stars more readily than larger, busier, and multicolored prints.

• Making your stars using fabrics with a range of value (light vs. dark), intensity (bright vs. neutral), and/or texture (print vs. solid) will add visual interest and movement. It will make your quilt sparkle!

• The partial stars will all end up around the edges of the quilt, so make sure they’re not all the same color or fabric.

Most of my sets of squares are cut from the same fabric, but I did include a few sets with 4 identical squares for the points and 1 fussy-cut square for the center. 

Quilt back from Mo’s Sparkle Punch Quilt

In addition to the star fabrics, you’ll need: 

• 3½ yards neutral solid fabric for negative space (the star backgrounds)
• 64” x 76” batting
• 1¼ yards each of 4 different solid fabrics for the quilt back
• ½ yard fabric for binding

Note: These requirements contemplate fabric at least 42” wide.

I’m using Yarn-Dyed Essex Cotton-Linen in Flax for my negative space. For my quilt back, I’m using Kona solids in Stone, Jade Green, Pomegranate, and Charcoal. Because I just can’t get enough faux bois, I’m using a brown woodgrain print from Joel Dewberry’s Aviary 2 collection for the binding.

What colors/fabrics are you using for your Sparkle Punch quilt?

***

The next quilt-along post, Making the Stars, will be on January 11.

Comments

[Lexi Lucas]

I'm so glad you are doing this. I love this quilt and can't wait to get started.

[Karen H]

I am so excited to start this quilt, I absolutely love it! Thank you for the tutorial.

[Wendy]

I've got some teal, pink, green, red, blue and a little black in my pile right now, but I might add a little periwinkle to it.

[Katy]

Hmm, there was me thinking I didn't need another project... but what the heck! Love yours with the Echino, I shall have to ponder the perfect selection :o)

[Suzanne]

It's going to be great!

[Kelly]

It is hard to start a new project right now, but the temptation is great. I just unpacked fabric and found many that I will never use - sort of outdated feeling and sort of not me anymore. Does that make sense? This might be just the project for those fabrics. Hmmmm....~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

[darci]

is there a particular ruler that would be especially helpful with this quilt? i have never made triangles before
thanks

[Lisa]

Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your pattern for this quilt! I kept trying to figure it out!

[Beth]

Not sure what fabrics to use yet (I will raid my stash today!) but I know I will be making it assymetrical. I have loved the look since the first time you posted that picture (and it will be less cutting which is always a bonus!). Thank you for the QAL!
Smiles~Beth

[Megan]

YAHOO! I had taken your comments for a 3.5" square and was figuring it out over Christmas! Started cutting fabric...searching the stash! I LOVE this quilt! I was in Portland over NY's and showed it to a friend of mine and she made me send her my 'figures' and pix of YOUR quilt so SHE could make it! NOW I will send her your 'quilt-a-long'...fabulous. Elizabeth, you ARE the BEST!

[Elizabeth]

I'm going with blues, greens, and yellows from my pile of scraps, so we'll see how that works out.

[Christine]

I love this quilt and I so want to join this quilt along but I made a new years resolution to finish up my existing projects before starting anything new!! Damn!!!!Hope you will leave the quilt along on your blog for those of us who hope to join at a later date (at least we have serious motivation to finish stuff now)

[Janet Rochleau]

Glad you're doing this. I"ve already started one, so I hope I'm doing it correctly. I'm using Asian print fabrics with dominating reds and blacks. I'll include some teal, pink, gold and beige from one of the fabric prints. Can't wait for your directions. I'm a new quilter so I need all the help I can get!

[Amanda]

Planning on some bright colors, using up bits and pieces from my stash. I'm not sure what I'm doing yet for the solid. Probably some Kona Snow. I'm so excited to get started on this!

[Michelle]

:::Grinning from ear to ear:::

I think I will use either my Terrain or Ruby...or...not really sure! Definitely a Kona white/creme of some sort for the neutral.

[Samelia's Mum]

Looking forward to this quilt a long

[eva]

Oh how lovely!!!!

I just made a "sparkle" from your idea!!
http://veev-patchesquilltings.blogspot.com/

Yours is so-o-o-o gorgeous!!
thanks
xo
eva

[Margaret]

I am planning on using reds and greens for a Christmas quilt for my BF who is a Christmas fanatic. I will probably not use Christmas fabrics but just use up my various reds and greens from my stash. It will bea great 2012 Xmas gift

[mo]

Oh my goodness I love that you are doing a Sparkle Punch Sew Along! If I didn't already have the best most amazing Sparkle Punch Quilt there is, I would join you! Instead I am going to snuggle under my gorgeous Sparkle Punch and read a good book!

[Rachelle]

Hi Elizabeth,
thanks for the quilt along tutorial! I have also already started a quilt based on your previous posts and now I am excited to get a few more details/tips from you!
looking forward to seeing this quilt completed
Cheers
Rachelle
PS I have also pre-ordered your new book! looks absolutely amazing :-)

[Staci]

Oh, how I love this quilt! I am so excited that you are doing this, thank you very much! I have a lot of large scraps from another project. All dots or houndstooth, and small scale. After carefully measuring, I know I have enough! I'll only need to purchase fabric for the back! Yay for the Sparkle Punch!

[Karen]

Quilt Alongs are the BEST - this is going to be so inspiring to watch the progress.

[Nina]

Hi Elizabeth,
My Sparkle Punch starts from Germany :-) I planning with pieces from my stash and tons of scraps. After reading your material list I'm confused about the negative space. I miss the info how much 3,5"x3,5" squares I need. My daughter says... Mom you need 80 Sets of 4 Squares (total 320 squares 3,5x3,5") but I will wait until next Monday.

[Danny]

Wa-hoo! So stoked you're sharing this QAL. Thanks! Love the quilt!

[Shana]

Absolutely love this quilt... I think I'm going to have to quilt-a-long!