Sunflower Sew Along Quilt Tutorial: Free Pattern

If you are looking for an engaging, stash-busting quilt project that builds into a breathtaking floral design, the Sunflower Sew Along by Diane Vandiver of Butterfly Threads Quilting is a perfect choice.

Originally created in 2014 as a mystery sew-along for her local quilt guild, this project takes simple, approachable patchwork units and connects them using clever pieced sashing strips. When assembled in rows, secondary geometric chains emerge across the quilt top, forming a continuous lattice of stylized sunflower blossoms.

What makes Diane Vandiver’s design so effective is its simplicity: you do not need curved piecing or appliqué techniques to achieve this floral lattice. Basic patchwork units locked together with directional sashing do all the heavy lifting!

Below is a complete breakdown of the Sunflower Sew Along project, including fabric selection tips, unit assembly guidance, common piecing pitfalls to avoid, and direct links to Diane’s official free pattern download.

Sunflower Sew Along at a Glance

Project Name	Sunflower Sew Along (Mystery Quilt)
Designer / Author	Diane Vandiver (Butterfly Threads Quilting)
Original Release Year	2014 (Updated on BTQ Official Blog)
Main Techniques	Basic Patchwork Units, Pieced Sashing, Cornerstone Intersections
Color Palette	Yellows/Golds (Petals), Browns (Centers), Greens (Leaves), Neutral Background
Scrap Friendly	Yes — Excellent project for fabric stash clearance
Skill Level	Confident Beginner to Intermediate
Source Format	Free Step-by-Step Illustrated Instructions & PDF Download

The History Behind the Sunflower Mystery Sew Along

When Diane Vandiver first designed this pattern in 2014, it was delivered as a mystery quilt. Guild members received weekly step-by-step instructions for basic blocks without knowing what the final quilt would look like.

The surprise structural reveal happened when pieced sashing strips and cornerstones connected individual blocks together. The isolated patches aligned visually to form vibrant rows of sunflowers connected by leafy green chains.

Because quilters frequently requested this popular pattern, Diane updated the links and preserved the full step-by-step instructions on her official blog so anyone can stitch it today.

How the Pattern Works: Simple Units Make Complex Designs

While the overall quilt design looks intricate, the construction breaks down into manageable geometric components:

• Main Patchwork Blocks: Straight-line pieced units that serve as the anchor for each section.
• Pieced Sashing Strips: Custom connecting strips containing outer petal and leaf segments.
• Cornerstones: Intersection squares that form the centers of the sunflower heads across rows.

Joining these three core components row-by-row builds the continuous floral chains across the quilt top.

Fabric Selection & Color Placement Strategy

Since the visual secondary design relies on clear contrast, choosing your fabric values carefully is essential:

1. Yellows and Golds (Sunflower Petals)

Use a variety of bright yellow, gold, and amber fabric scraps. Mixing different yellow prints gives each flower petal character and visual movement.

2. Deep Browns (Flower Centers)

Rich chocolate browns, dark rusts, or black tonal fabrics form the focal seed heads where the sashing strips intersect.

3. Greens (Leaves and Stems)

Medium to dark greens create the leaf links that tie the flower rows together seamlessly.

4. Neutral Background

Choose a high-contrast neutral background fabric (such as crisp white, cream, or a subtle low-volume print) so the yellow petals and green accents pop clearly.

🌻 Access Diane Vandiver’s Free Step-by-Step Instructions

Diane Vandiver provides complete step-by-step illustrated instructions and printable cutting details on her official blog. Be sure to check out her website to follow the full tutorial directly from the source!

Essential Quilting Tips for Success

Maintain a Precise ¼-Inch Seam Allowance

Because the petal shapes extend across blocks and pieced sashing, accurate quarter-inch seam allowances ensure that all intersecting points line up neatly across rows.

Label Your Units

Organize your cut pieces and pieced sashing strips into labeled trays or stacks. Keeping your units organized prevents accidental mix-ups during final assembly.

Press Seams Mindfully

Nesting seams is key to flat sashing intersections. Press sashing seams towards the darker accent pieces to minimize bulk at the corners.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Insufficient Background Contrast

If your background fabric is too close in value to your yellow petal fabrics, the flower outlines will blur. Always verify contrast before cutting.

2. Misorienting Directional Sashing

Pieced sashing strips must be placed in the correct orientation for the flower chain to connect properly. Lay out your entire row on a design wall before stitching.

Sunflower Sew Along FAQ

Is the Sunflower Sew Along pattern free?

Yes, Diane Vandiver provides free download instructions and step-by-step photo tutorials on her website.

When was the Sunflower Mystery Sew Along first published?

The project originally launched in 2014 and remains a favorite among scrappy quilt enthusiasts.

Do I need specialized template rulers for this project?

No specialized rulers are required! Standard quilting rulers, rotary cutters, and basic sewing machine feet are all you need.

Can I make this quilt using fabric scraps?

Absolutely! It is an ideal scrap-busting project for yellow, green, and brown fabric scraps from your stash.

Access the Free Sunflower Sew Along Pattern

Ready to get started on Diane Vandiver’s classic mystery quilt? Visit her official blog for full pattern access:

Download the Free Sunflower Sew Along Pattern at Butterfly Threads Quilting →

Tutorial Credit & Attribution

The Sunflower Sew Along is an original pattern designed by Diane Vandiver of Butterfly Threads Quilting.

This article serves as an educational project showcase and review for quilters, offering color tips, technique overviews, and directing readers to Butterfly Threads Quilting for the official free pattern downloads.

Happy quilting!

How to Sew Sunflower Placemats and Coasters: Free Quilt Pattern & Tutorial

A coordinated tableware set is a wonderful way to bring warmth and seasonal energy to your dining space, and the Sunflower Placemats and Coasters Set designed by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics is an exceptional project for doing just that.

Created as part of the popular August Table Glitz series, this project combines traditional patchwork piecing with simple fusible web appliqué to create vibrant sunflower placemats and matching drink coasters.

What makes this tutorial particularly enticing is its quick assembly method: using heat-activated fusible adhesive allows you to shape, position, and topstitch sunflower petals with precision without tedious needle-turn applique.

Below, you’ll find an overview of the project, fabric selection strategies, step-by-step assembly guidance, common mistakes to avoid, practical sewing tips, and direct links to Jennifer Bosworth’s free pattern and video walkthrough.

Sunflower Table Set at a Glance

Project Name	Sunflower Placemats and Coasters (August Table Glitz)
Designer / Author	Jennifer Bosworth / Shabby Fabrics
Main Techniques	Patchwork piecing, Fusible web appliqué, Topstitching
Main Fabrics	Golden yellows, rusts, ambers, browns, and neutral backgrounds
Key Notions	Fusible web (e.g., Heat 'n Bond Lite), Open-toe presser foot
Scrap Friendly	Yes — excellent for scrap stash busting
Skill Level	Confident Beginner and up
Source Format	Free Printable PDF Pattern & Video Tutorial

What Is the Sunflower Table Glitz Project?

The Sunflower Table Glitz set is a functional tableware project that features a large sunflower focal motif stitched onto pieced fabric placemats and miniature versions scaled down for drink coasters.

Sunflowers represent joy and hospitality in home decor, making this set ideal for summer patio dining, late summer gatherings, or autumn dinner tables.

Because the petal shapes are applied using raw-edge fusible appliqué, the project stays flat and crisp, ensuring dishes and drink glasses sit stably on top.

Why This Project Is Great for Fabric Scraps

Sunflower motifs rely heavily on color variation across individual petals to achieve depth. Rather than cutting every petal from the exact same yellow fabric, using a mix of yellow and gold cotton scraps gives the project much more life.

You can easily utilize small leftover pieces from your scrap bin for the petal templates, sunflower centers, and accent borders.

Recommended Sunflower Fabrics

• Golden yellow tone-on-tone prints
• Warm amber and rust orange floral scraps
• Bright yellow polka dots and geometric prints
• Deep brown or textured black fabrics for the sunflower center

Recommended Background Fabrics

• Light beige or cream low-volume prints
• Subtle green grass-like textures
• Neutral linen-look cotton scraps

Why Value Contrast Matters

Because fusible appliqué sits directly on top of the pieced background, strong value contrast is essential to ensure the sunflower motif pops.

If your background fabric is too bright or close in shade to your golden yellow petals, the flower outline will blend into the background.

A helpful tip before pressing your appliqué pieces in place is to step back or take a quick black-and-white picture with your smartphone. If the flower shape remains clearly defined in grayscale, your contrast is spot on.

How the Fusible Web Appliqué Technique Works

Fusible web adhesive (such as Heat 'n Bond Lite) makes detailed shape raw-edge appliqué remarkably simple:

1. Trace the petal and center templates onto the smooth paper side of the fusible web.
2. Roughly cut out around the shapes, leaving a small margin.
3. Fuse the adhesive web to the wrong side of your selected fabrics using a dry iron.
4. Cut out the shapes precisely along the traced lines.
5. Peel off the paper backing and arrange the petals symmetrically on your pieced placemat or coaster top.
6. Press thoroughly with steam to lock the pieces onto the background.
7. Stitch around the raw edges using a straight stitch, zig-zag, or blanket stitch to secure the shapes permanently.

🌻 Use Jennifer Bosworth’s Original Tutorial While Sewing

The original Shabby Fabrics tutorial includes exact template printouts, cutting dimensions, fabric requirements, and video demonstrations. This Quilting Time guide provides technique advice, layout ideas, and troubleshooting to complement Jennifer's complete original instructions.

Tips for Clean Appliqué and Flat Tableware

Use Lightweight Fusible Adhesive

Always choose a lightweight paper-backed fusible web designed for sewing (such as Heat 'n Bond Lite). Heavyweight adhesives make fabric stiff and difficult for sewing machine needles to penetrate.

Use an Open-Toe Presser Foot

When topstitching along the edges of small petals, an open-toe foot provides a clear view of your needle line, making curved stitching much cleaner.

Press Without Distortion

When fusing your flower layout, press the iron straight down vertically rather than sliding it across the fabric. Sliding can warp the shape of delicate petal tips.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to Mirror Templates

When tracing directional templates onto fusible web paper, remember that the fused image will be reversed on the right side of the fabric.

Over-Saturating with Heavy Thread

Using standard 40wt or 50wt cotton thread for edge stitching keeps the placemats supple. Extra thick thread on small coaster petals can make the edges feel bumpy.

Skipping the Paper Backing Removal

Always ensure you peel away the paper backing before pressing your cut pieces onto your placemat, otherwise the adhesive will stick to the paper instead of the fabric.

What Can You Make with This Pattern?

• Matching Table Set: A set of 4 or 6 placemats with matching drink coasters for family dining.
• Seasonal Table Runner: Join multiple sunflower placemat blocks side-by-side to create a long table runner.
• Wall Decor: A single finished block framed or bound as a decorative seasonal mini quilt.
• Handmade Gift Set: A set of 4 coasters bundled with ribbon makes a lovely housewarming gift.

Sunflower Placemats and Coasters FAQ

Is the Sunflower Table Glitz pattern free?

Yes, Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics offers the downloadable August Table Glitz Sunflower PDF pattern and video tutorial for free.

Who designed the pattern?

The project was created by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics.

What stitching is best for securing the appliqué edges?

A small straight stitch placed just inside the raw edge, a standard machine blanket stitch, or a narrow zig-zag stitch all work exceptionally well.

Is this project suitable for beginner quilters?

Yes! Fusible web appliqué is one of the easiest ways for confident beginners to tackle detailed shapes without complex curved piecing.

View the Original Free Sunflower Pattern & Video

Access Jennifer Bosworth’s complete printable PDF templates, exact cutting instructions, and full video walkthrough below:

Download Free Sunflower Table Glitz PDF Pattern →

Watch the Free Shabby Fabrics Video Tutorial →

Tutorial Source

August Table Glitz - Sunflower Placemats and Coasters is an original pattern and tutorial designed by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics.

The Quilting Time does not reproduce the full pattern templates or proprietary cutting guides. This article adds fabric selection tips, technique guidance, troubleshooting, and project ideas while referring readers directly to Shabby Fabrics for the original pattern downloads.

Happy quilting!

7 LeMoyne Star Quilt Block Variations to Inspire Your Next Quilt

The traditional LeMoyne Star is a striking eight-pointed quilt block made from diamond-shaped pieces. Its crisp points and balanced geometry can create a classic, elegant look, but the construction may feel challenging if you are new to precision piecing. The good news is that this star can be adapted in many creative ways, from bold, oversized designs to smaller blocks that showcase carefully chosen prints.

One inspiring example is Twilight Stars, a quilt made to showcase several variations developed for the Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star tool. The ideas below introduce seven different directions you can explore when planning your own star quilt.

At a Glance

Topic	Seven LeMoyne Star block variations
Best for	Quilters who enjoy geometric blocks and precise piecing
Skill level	Varies by variation; some are more challenging than a basic star
Tools	The appropriate ruler and instructions for the technique you choose
Pattern availability	This article is an idea guide, not a free downloadable quilt pattern

7 LeMoyne Star Quilt Block Variations

1. Banded LeMoyne Star

A Banded LeMoyne Star adds extra visual structure around the star points. The added bands create a layered, dramatic effect that can make a single block look like the centerpiece of a medallion quilt or wall hanging. The original showcase describes this variation in sizes from 4 to 12 inches. Because the extra bands require careful alignment, take your time with cutting and trimming.

Fabric idea: Use a strong contrast between the star, the bands, and the background so the different layers remain easy to see.

2. Blazing LeMoyne Star

The Blazing Star is a bold variation related in appearance to a Lone Star. Its star points use a sequence of diamonds, creating a radiating design that works especially well in larger blocks. Studio 180 Design lists this technique in sizes from 6 to 24 inches, making it an option for a statement block, a wall hanging, or the center of a larger quilt.

Fabric idea: Arrange colors from light to dark, or repeat a small palette around the star for a sense of movement.

3. LeMoynes as Triangles

This variation adapts LeMoyne Star units into triangular half-blocks. These pieces can help you extend a star design toward the edge of a quilt or incorporate star geometry into a larger layout without using only complete square blocks. Think about the final quilt layout before choosing the size and placement of these units.

Fabric idea: Keep the background fabric consistent if you want the partial stars to blend naturally into the quilt setting.

4. Fussy-Cut LeMoyne Stars

Fussy cutting means positioning a printed motif carefully before cutting the fabric, rather than treating the print as random yardage. With a LeMoyne Star, this can put a flower, medallion, or other motif in a star point and create a very different look from one fabric to another. The result depends on the print repeat, so plan the cuts before you begin sewing.

Fabric idea: Choose a print with clearly defined motifs and buy enough fabric to allow for pattern matching and repeat placement.

5. Liberty LeMoyne Star

The Liberty variation offers a more intricate, traditional star appearance. It is a good choice for quilters who like classic geometric designs and want to build accuracy with strip piecing and careful trimming. The original showcase notes seven sizes from 6 to 12 inches.

Fabric idea: A limited palette—such as two star colors plus a background—can make the points look crisp and keep the block from becoming visually busy.

6. Starburst LeMoyne Star

The Starburst variation creates a lively, radiating effect. It can be an eye-catching option for a sampler quilt, a feature block, or a design where you want the viewer's eye to move toward the center. Studio 180 Design lists this technique in ten finished sizes from 3 to 12 inches.

Fabric idea: Try a light center with darker points, or reverse the contrast for a more dramatic result. Test a small color sketch before cutting.

7. Strip-Pieced LeMoyne Star

Strip piecing lets you sew fabric strips together first and then cut the resulting strip sets into units. This approach can introduce extra color changes into the star points and help you use coordinated scraps. The official technique sheet covers eight finished sizes from 5 to 12 inches and includes starting-strip guidance.

Fabric idea: Combine narrow strips in related colors for a blended effect, or use high-contrast strips to make each diamond point stand out.

Choosing Fabric for a LeMoyne Star Quilt

• Start with contrast. Make sure the star points stand apart from the background. A quick phone photo converted to black and white can help you check value contrast.
• Mind the print scale. Small prints are often easier to read in small units, while large motifs can be effective for fussy cutting or bigger blocks.
• Limit the palette. Two or three main colors plus a background can keep a complex block looking intentional.
• Use scraps thoughtfully. Sort scraps by value and color before sewing, and make a small mock-up if you are unsure how the combinations will look.
• Test the layout first. Sketch the block or arrange fabric swatches on a design wall before cutting the full set of pieces.

Tools and Accuracy Tips

Several of these variations are designed to be used with Studio 180 Design's Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star tool and companion technique sheets. These are specialized resources rather than a single free quilt pattern. Check the requirements for the specific variation you want to make before purchasing a tool or cutting fabric.

1. Read the tool instructions first. Use the cutting chart and construction sequence supplied for your chosen technique instead of estimating dimensions.
2. Keep your seam allowance consistent. A small error can affect the alignment of several diamond points. Review our guide to sewing an accurate quarter-inch seam allowance if needed.
3. Trim only as instructed. Some ruler-based methods intentionally create oversized units that are trimmed to the required size. Do not trim early or substitute a different measurement.
4. Label units as you go. Similar-looking pieces can be easy to rotate or reverse. Keep piles organized and follow the diagrams.
5. Make a test block. If you are learning a new variation, sew one block before cutting fabric for an entire quilt.

Where to Find the Official Technique Sheets

Studio 180 Design maintains an official collection of downloadable technique sheets for its tools. The LeMoyne Star variations described here are presented as separate technique resources, and the sheets are sold individually. Some product pages also offer free online demonstration videos, so check the details of the specific technique you are interested in.

Explore the Official Studio 180 Design Technique Sheets

Related Quilting Guides

• 4 Free Shooting Star Quilt Patterns — more star-themed quilt inspiration.
• How to Read a Quilt Pattern — understand cutting instructions, abbreviations, and diagrams.
• How to Sew an Accurate Quarter-Inch Seam Allowance — an important skill for accurate piecing.
• Half-Square Triangle Tips — helpful guidance for other geometric quilt units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free pattern for all seven LeMoyne Star variations?

No. The inspiration quilt shows examples of different variations, but it is not itself a free pattern for making all seven blocks. Studio 180 Design sells companion technique sheets for these methods. Some related video demonstrations are available free online.

Do I need a special ruler to make these blocks?

The variations discussed here were developed for use with the Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star tool and its companion techniques. Requirements can differ from one method to another, so check the official instructions before starting.

Are LeMoyne Star blocks suitable for beginners?

A basic LeMoyne Star can be challenging because of its diamond shapes and precise points. Beginners can still learn the technique, but it is wise to start with a clear set of instructions, practice accurate seam allowances, and complete a test block before beginning a large quilt.

Can I use fabric scraps?

Yes. Coordinated scraps can create beautiful star points, especially in strip-pieced designs. For fussy-cut variations, however, you may need larger pieces of fabric to position the motifs exactly where you want them.

Final Thoughts

The LeMoyne Star is much more than one traditional block. Banded, Blazing, triangular, fussy-cut, Liberty, Starburst, and strip-pieced versions offer different ways to play with color, scale, and geometry. Choose one variation that fits your current skill level, plan the fabric contrast carefully, and work from the official instructions for that technique. A single well-made star block can be the beginning of a striking quilt.