Growing up in a small town, the Fourth of July was always a magical day for me. The sky was lit with fireworks, and the streets were filled with red, white, and blue. But it wasn’t just the visual splendor that captured my heart—it was the feeling of community, of neighbors gathering together, sharing food, stories, and traditions.
As I grew older and quilting became my creative outlet, I realized that this spirit of unity and celebration could be captured in fabric as well. This is why the Ashford Quilt holds a special place in my heart. The block’s bold design echoes the festive fireworks, while the intricate piecing speaks to the rich quilting tradition passed down through the years.
Quilting, like community celebrations, is a tradition passed through generations, with each stitch representing history and creativity. The Ashford Quilt, with its complex piecing and contrasting colors, brings together both my love for quilting and the cherished memories of creating something special for those I love. Let’s dive into the process of crafting this memorable quilt and capturing both beauty and history in every stitch.
Precision in Tradition: The Geometry of the Ashford Quilt
At first glance, the Ashford Quilt appears intricate, but its beauty lies in its carefully constructed geometry. The sharp angles and contrasting fabrics create a dynamic visual effect, reminiscent of intricate patterns from earlier quilting eras.
Though the design has evolved, the essence of the Ashford Quilt remains rooted in the tradition of precision and craftsmanship, making it perfect for those who appreciate the art of quilting. In this guide, I will take you step-by-step through the process of creating this stunning quilt block and transforming it into a timeless masterpiece.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Mastering Precision: Crafting the Perfect Ashford Block
One of the standout features of the Ashford Quilt is the precision required in both cutting and piecing. The quilt’s complex design demands careful attention to detail, but the reward is a beautifully aligned block with striking contrasts. If you’ve ever found precision piecing a challenge, don’t worry! I’ll be sharing my top tips for ensuring every seam aligns perfectly, allowing the stunning geometry of the Ashford Quilt to truly shine.
Materials
Here’s a list of the materials you’ll need for the Ashford Quilt. This pattern provides fabric quantities for both a small quilt (4 blocks, finishing at 55″ x 55″) and a large quilt (9 blocks, finishing at 73″ x 73″). Make sure to highlight the quantities based on the quilt size you’ll be making:
- Fabric 1 (Beige) – 1¼ yards for small / 3 yards for large
- Cut:
- 15 strips (33 for large) 1¼” x Width of Fabric (WOF)
- 64 pieces A (144 for large)
- 16 pieces C (36 for large)
- 4 pieces F (9 for large)
- Cut:
- Fabrics 2, 3, 4 (Light, Medium, Dark Red) – ¼ yard each for light & dark / ½ yard each for large; ¾ yard for medium / 1 yard for large
- Cut 5 strips (11 for large) 1¼” x WOF from each fabric
- Fabric 5 (Dark Blue) – 1 yard for small / 1⅓ yards for large
- Cut 64 pieces B (144 for large)
- Reserve the remainder for binding
- Fabric 6 (Medium Blue) – ¼ yard for small / ⅓ yard for large
- Cut 16 pieces D (36 for large)
- Fabric 7 (Border Print) – 2 yards for small / 2½ yards for large
- See step 4 for cutting instructions.
Other Materials:
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat
- Quilter’s pins
- Sewing machine with ¼” foot
- Iron for pressing seams
Getting Ready to Quilt: Preparing Your Pieces
Before jumping into stitching, it’s important to cut all your pieces precisely. When cutting strips and shapes, I always recommend using a sharp rotary cutter and a transparent ruler to ensure accuracy. Remember, the key to a perfect Ashford Quilt is precision—both in cutting and sewing. Press your fabrics before cutting to eliminate any wrinkles or distortions, and double-check your measurements before making that first cut.
Additionally, make sure you have all your tools at hand. This quilt will require careful attention to fabric alignment, so keeping an organized workspace can make all the difference. I find it helpful to label the different fabric cuts with sticky notes to avoid confusion during assembly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut the Fabrics
- Begin by cutting all the fabrics according to the yardage and cutting instructions provided. Be especially careful with the border print fabric—ensure that you leave a ¼” seam allowance on all sides of the strips, as these will be mitered later on.
- Make the Red & White Strip-Sets
- Create three (or six for the large quilt) left strip-sets and two (or five for large) right strip-sets by sewing your red and white strips together. These sets are off-set by ¾” to create the unique star effect. Use a rotary ruler to trim the ends at a 45° angle.
- Once sewn, each unit should be cut into 3â…œ” wide strips. You’ll need 16 left and 16 right units for the small quilt, or 36 each for the large.
- Assemble the Star Blocks
- Now it’s time to assemble the star blocks. Follow the block assembly diagram carefully to ensure each piece fits together as it should. Start by making the 16 flying geese units, which will form the points of your stars.
- Add the triangles as instructed to complete the four Evening Star units per block. Once each star is complete, join them into rows and then sew the rows together to form your blocks.
- Add the Borders
- Trim your border print strips as described, making sure to preserve the mirror-image motifs for perfect mitered corners. Sew the borders to the quilt center, starting from the middle of each side and working outward to avoid any fabric stretching.
- Bind the Quilt
- Once your quilt top is complete, add binding. If you’re using a border print for the binding, consider hand-stitching it for a clean, precise finish.
Additional Tips
- Accurate Seams: Use a quarter-inch foot on your sewing machine to ensure perfectly even seams.
- Pressing Matters: Press your seams as you go—this helps your fabric lie flat and makes piecing the next section easier.
- Stay Organized: Lay out your fabric pieces before sewing to avoid any mix-ups. This is especially useful when dealing with multiple red shades.
The Ashford Quilt is more than just a quilt—it’s a celebration of tradition and craftsmanship. Each stitch, each perfectly aligned seam, is a reminder of the time and care you’ve put into creating something special. Whether you’re displaying it at a family gathering or simply enjoying it year-round, this quilt will bring a sense of pride and accomplishment every time you see it. Happy quilting!