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Folded Star Mat

By - 37 Comments

Folded Star Patchwork is a bit like fabric origami. The pattern is created from folding and layering different fabrics. This technique was common in the 1980’s and is making a comeback. It is a very simple and effective technique and looks great using modern fabrics. It uses lots of fabric so it a great stash buster project!
We think the star design looks very festive. It would be perfect for little table mats or placemats for your Christmas decorating.
If you would like to try this technique, we have written a few steps to guide you. Our Folded Star Mat measures 10 inches in diameter.
Fabrics and Materials:
5 Fat quarters of quilting cotton (inner layers of the star, backing)
1/2 yard (0.4 m) of quilting cotton (polka dot – outer layer of star)
1 yard (1 metre) bias binding
Firm fusible interfacing
Fabric Credit: We used 5 Fat Quarters from the Wallflowers range from Windham Fabrics for this project. 
Cut Fabrics
  • For the centre row, cut five 5 inch circles from Fabric 1
  • For the next three rows, cut eight 5 inch circles from each fabric.
  • For the outside row, cut eight 7 inch x 7 inch squares
  • Cut interfacing into a circle that measures 10 inches in diameter
Tip: I cut the 5 inch circles using the circle die on our Go Baby Fabric Cutter.
1. Fold the interfacing circle in half, then into quarters, and then into eighths. Use a marking pen to highlight the fold lines.
2. For the fabric circles. fold them all in half with the right side facing outwards, and press. Bring the outside points down to the centre and press. (Refer to Photo of grey circles)
3. For the fabric squares, fold in half, and press. Bring the outside points down to the centre front and press to form triangles. (Refer to Photo of Polka Dot Triangles).
4. Centre Row: Open up one of the circles and place it in the centre of the interfacing, matching up the fold lines. Place the remaining 4 triangles with the points meeting in the centre, lining up the guide lines. Tack the points together. Tack the outer edge in place.
5. Second Row: place the 8 triangles 3/4 inch from the centre points, being careful to line up with the fold lines on the interfacing. Tack the points and outer edge in place.
6. Third and Fourth Row: Repeat step 5 for next two rows but placing the points 1/2 inch from the previous row.

7. For the outside Row, repeat using the polka dot triangles.

8. Trim the outside of the mat so that it forms a circle that is 10 inches in diameter, using the interfacing as a guide. Turn the mat so that the interfacing is facing upwards. Layer a fat quarter over the interfacing with the right side facing upwards. Press in place so that it fuses to the interfacing. Trim the backing to the 10 inch circle. Stitch bias binding in place following manufacturer’s directions.
Folded Star Patchwork is a fun technique that can be adapted to different sizes. If you like this technique, check out our Folded Star Ornament. 
Folded Star Ornament
Disclosure: Thanks to Windham Fabrics for supplying the Wallflowers fabric that was used in this project. 
 
For other Stash Buster projects, check out our round-up of 15 Scrap Buster Tutorials.

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Comments

  4. Jan says

    thanks so much for the tutorial, Lisa and Sarah; I haven’t made one of these since the ’80s and had forgotten how lovely this design is. Must get cracking on one to brighten up my house for Christmas.

    Reply

    • Eva Essa says

      It is really beautiful, can’t imagine it is that mauch easy – first i saw I thought very complicated job. but after seeing the pattern I felt how easy and amazing to do it right during the coming week-end.

      thanks dear all

      Reply

      • Eva Essa says

        Can we do similar with different colors and use it as a baby mat – I have a grand son 6 month old, don’t you thinkd this will be suitable for him?.

        Reply

        • A Spoonful of Sugar says

          You could make it as a baby mat – it would use up a lot of fabric though. You may need to stitch all the points down with a sewing machine to make it more robust for laundering.

          Reply

  14. Lauren Duffy says

    It really is gorgeous! It’s such a shame that it wastes so much fabric to get that effect though. Decent fabric is expensive, far too expensive to waste 2 or more yards of it! Would be better to use a cheaper fabric rather than quilting cotton, but then again poly cotton burns if you iron it! Very beautiful though.

    Reply

  15. Heidee says

    This is beautiful! My mother in-law made a little ring cushion in this style when her son and I got married. It’s stunning and safely tucked away in a box for when my daughter gets married. I’m going to have to give this a try myself! x

    Reply

  16. Stephanie Cook says

    Thank you so much for this tutorial, just made this in grey and pink and it looks adorable , I fact way too adorable to use! Thanks again from Tunbridge Wells in England. X

    Reply

  17. CrafTeeChic says

    Was wondering if you could be more specific how and where you “tack” the pieces down for those of us like me that need more specific instructions. I’ve done some quilted ornaments, but I don’t understand how to do this. And what kind of fusible interfacing do you mean or recommend since there are so many. I’m more of a visual and do person then read and do person. Thank you.

    Reply

    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      Tack is the same as baste. At the point do a couple of little stitches to hold the point in place. Baste along the outer raw edges so that it stays in place and lies flat.

      Any light to medium weight fusible interfacing is good for this project. I don’t have a preference for any brand and just use what I have on hand.

      Reply

  18. Jenn says

    I am new to sewing. Can you explain what you mean by “tack”? I understand how to place the fabric pieces but I don’t understand where to actually sew them. Thanks!

    Reply

    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      Hi Jenn – Tack is to sew a few stitches in one spot, by hand or by machine sewing, to secure one item to another. You stitch the pieces at the rounded edge. Tackibng at the tip of each piece is optional, depending on whether you want to tips to be sewn down or left free. Hope that helps!

      Reply

    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      Hi Julia

      I am not sure what a size 15 is exactly. If you want to make it larger, you just ad more rows. You will have to cut the fold fabric pieces larger as the mat gets bigger. I personally haven’t made any bigger than this one.

      Reply

  20. flo says

    this is just adorable.to enlarge would you just add to each pattern as many inches as you want it to be enlarged to.

    Reply

  21. Sheryl says

    Thanks for sharing… I found one that my Grandmother had made and was wondering how she did it… I’m excited to try a make a few – thanks again 🙂
    Sheryl K

    Reply

  22. amy says

    This is SO beautiful!! Thank you so much for posting this. My friend and I just saw one a couple of days ago and wondered how to make it. Then…I ran across your tut! Fortuitous! Thanks again!!!

    Reply

  25. Mary says

    I have just discovered this tutorial and am so pleased. I used to make these in the past but had forgotten how to make them. 🤭
    Thank you for helping me get on track again.

    Mary :))

    Reply

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