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One-Block Merry Christmas Star Quilt

This is a very quick Christmas-themed project that makes either a great gift or a charming decoration. The one-color Merry Christmas design is used in the center of the star.

The finished size is 12" x 12".

You will need

embroidery thread (either polyester or rayon),
light- to medium-weight cut-away stabilizer,
left-overs of 4 cotton fabrics, one of them should be light,
fabric for the binding ( we choose light golden yellow to match the color of the embroidery),
batting and backing,
quilting threads to match the fabrics,
quilter's ruler and rotary cutter (or graphic pencil and sharp scissors).

Cutting:

Out of light-colored fabric (we used lilac), cut

4 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and
4 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 4 1/2".

Out of the fabric for the star we used dark purple), cut

1 square 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" and
8 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".

Out of the first fabric for the borders (we used purple), cut 2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Out of the second fabric for the borders (we used red), cut 2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 12 1/2".

Assembly of the Star Block:

For the star, you need to sew four "flying geese" strips. For each strips, take one light 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles and two dark purple 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares.

Position the rectangle on your working table, face up. Position one of the squares, face down, on the left of the rectangle. Align the sides.

With a thin graphic pencil, draw a diagonal to connect the upper right corner and the lower left corner.

Machine stitch along the diagonal.
Cut the excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance.
Unfold the square and press

Repeat for the other side of the strip.
You will need 4 such flying geese parts.

Sew two of the "flying geese" strips to left and right edges of the central 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" block.

Take two "flying geese" strips and four light-colored 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares. Sew a square to each end of the "flying geese".

Sew these strips to the top and bottom edges of the central part.

Sew the 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips to the upper and lower edges of the block.

Sew the 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" strips to the left and right edges of the block.

Embroidery:

Stabilize the center of the block with light-weight cut-away stabilizer for embroidery. Upload the Merry Christmas design into the machine and embroider it with any color you need. We used yellow gold thread.

Quilting and Finishing:

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread your working piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins and start quilting. We quilted in a free motion style all over the quilt. If you feel comfortable with metallic thread, use it for quilting to add some sparkle to the surface.

After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Finish the raw edges with the binding.