Year of Stars Quilt: How to Use the Block Design Workbook
By Piece N Quilt | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use the Let's Stitch A Year of Stars Block Design Workbook to plan, design, and quilt 12 star blocks with confidence and creativity.
Quick answer
Use the Let's Stitch A Year of Stars Block Design Workbook to follow Natalia Bonner's stitch-along, practice 12 star block designs, and sketch your own variations before you cut fabric.
Why a workbook beats a pattern for star blocks
Star quilt blocks look simple but hide tricky intersections and bias edges. A workbook gives you space to doodle and plan before you sew, which helps you catch problems on paper instead of in fabric.
Because the workbook is not spiral bound, pages lie flat for tracing or can be removed for your design wall. That trade-off is worth knowing before you start.
What’s inside the workbook
The workbook includes 12 full-color star quilt block machine quilting designs plus 12 bonus doodle pages. It is a companion to Natalia Bonner's online stitch-along, so you can follow along week by week or work at your own pace.
How to use the Year of Stars workbook
- Gather your tools: Get the workbook, a pencil, eraser, ruler, and tracing paper. Keep a separate notebook for notes so you don't clutter the workbook pages. Use a pencil so you can erase and redraw without wasting pages.
- Pick your first star block: Flip through the 12 designs and choose one that matches your skill level. Start with a simpler block if you are new to star quilts. Check the block's seam count—more seams usually mean more precision required.
- Doodle on the bonus pages: Use the 12 bonus doodle pages to sketch color variations or resize the block. Try different fabric placements before you cut. Draw at least two color options; the second one often reveals a better contrast.
- Plan your quilt layout: Arrange the block designs on a grid to see how they look together. Decide on sashing, borders, and setting before you sew. Photograph your layout—it helps you see it with fresh eyes.
- Stitch and quilt with the designs: Follow the machine quilting designs for each block, or use them as inspiration to create your own. Practice on scraps first. Test your thread tension on a scrap piece before quilting the actual block.
Product facts
- Let's Stitch A Year of Stars Block Design Workbook: This workbook contains 12 full-color star quilt block machine quilting designs and 12 bonus doodle pages. You get a full year of star block inspiration plus extra space to sketch your own variations before committing to fabric.
Let's Stitch A Year of Stars Block Design Workbook
