Starling Quilt Pattern – Fat Quarter & Layer Cake Friendly

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Get the Starling pattern now! It's 2023 and we're back with another year full of quilt patterns. Every year we pick a guiding theme for our new patterns to give us a creative focus. (Plus it's kinda fun, don't you think?) Last year our theme was Companions. This year, we are so excited to have the theme Look to the Sky!

To kick off the year, here is a modern take on a very classic quilt block — a star. Starling is essentially a sawtooth star with a floating square on point in each star center. The twist? You know with a Suzy Quilts pattern there had to be one! The twist is that in each vertical row fanning out from the center, the stars lose a part of themselves, giving the appearance of sliding off the sides of the quilt.

Deconstructing these stars gives a melted, watercolor effect that can be accentuated by the fabrics you choose. You'll be able to see more of what I mean through all of the examples below. Based on the fabrics and color contrast you go with, you will notice the star motif more or less.

You may be surprised to know that this quilt doesn't have anything to do with the common starling, a type of bird known to many of us. Actually the name Starling it's meant to be a term of endearment for a star. Think about all of the sweet little things with this -ling suffix — a downy duckling, a yummy dumpling, a sweet darling, and maybe a steadfast sibling? I'll let you decide on that last one. 

Think of the Starling quilt pattern as a youthful version of a traditional star quilt. It would still pair well with a traditional sawtooth star, but it's walking its own quirky path.

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Video Tutorial Included!

Do you like learning from a video tutorial? I like that sometimes too. The only part of the Starling pattern that can feel a little bit complicated is making and trimming the flying geese blocks.

We have a wonderful flying geese tutorial here on the blog, but in addition to that the Starling pattern includes a private flying geese tutorial specific to the pattern — meaning I make flying geese using the same measurements in the pattern, so you don't have to apply different math like you would if using a general tutorial.

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Starling Quilt Pattern Fabric Requirements

Starling is my love note to timeless star quilts and how much we all adore them. One reason this pattern is so cute and potentially endearing is that you get to use tiny fabric! Every size of this pattern can be made with fat quarters, layer cakes, or even scraps.

Click here for a PDF of the fabric requirements or read them below.

Starling Fabric Requirements
Starling Fabric Requirements
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Starling Quilt Pattern Sizes

As you can see in the chart above, this pattern includes instructions for SO MANY sizes!

  • King - 104" x 106"
  • Queen/Full - 87" x 106"
  • Twin - 71" x 88"
  • Throw - 62" x 70"
  • Baby - 35" x 44"
  • Pillow - 20" x 20"
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Original Starling Quilt Fabric

Creative Contributor, Sarah, of Sarah Made sewed this quilt for me and Shasta of Favorite Day Longarm Quilting did the beautiful Wishbone pantograph design. She is currently offering 25% off longarm quilting through June 15, 2023!

This quilt kit can be purchased at Sarah Made for a limited time. The fabrics include:

  • 1 FQ - Sprout Woven in Chamomile
  • 1 FQ - Sprout Woven in Stellar
  • 1 FQ - Sprout Woven in Peachy
  • 1 FQ - Sprout Woven in Porcelain
  • 1 FQ - Sprout Woven in Sunglow
  • 1 FQ - PURE Solids in Bewitched
  • 1 FQ - PURE Solids in Crystalline
  • 1 FQ - PURE Solids in Terracotta Tile
  • 1 FQ - PURE Solids in Macchiato
  • 1 FQ - PURE Solids in Coffee Bean
  • 1 FQ - PURE Solids in Chocolate
  • 2 1/4 yd - PURE Solids in Creme de le Creme
  • 1/2 yd (Binding) - PURE Solids in Chocolate
  • 3 7/8 yd (Backing) - Arcade Woven in Acorn
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Ombré Starling Quilt Pattern Variation

For a less randomized look, we also have a tutorial on how to change the pattern to give it an ombré effect like the quilts below! For instructions and fabric specifics, check out this post - Ombré Starling Quilt Pattern Variation.

The ombre Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The blue ombre Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The red ombre Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Starling in Shades of Mauve

This throw quilt made by Kim Vogelsang uses AGF Seedling fabric. The backing fabric is Megan Carter, Flowers for Madeline (Magenta Haze) and it uses bamboo and silk batting. Kits will be available at Crimson Tate for a limited time.

Longarm quilting was done by Heather Alexander using the pantograph Rosemary by Dastardly Line Quilting. Heather is offering 25% off longarm quilting for Starling quilts!

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Spring Starling

This throw quilt was made by Alexis Plunkett. It features Ruby Star Society Strawberry Friends with white metallic speckled background, binding is Add It Up in Earth by Ruby Star and the backing is Shannon cuddle in Navy. The quilting is by Barbie at The Quilting Mill with her Double Wedding Panto designed by herself. Alexis took these beautiful photos too!

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Starling in Pixel

This throw quilt made by Lilo of Trace Creek Quilting using Ruby Star Society Pixel fabrics. Kits will be available at Trace Creek Quilting for a limited time.

Longarm quilting was also done by Trace Creek Quilting using the pantograph Kalideo Curvy by Karlee Porter Design. Trace Creek Quilting is offering 25% off longarm quilting for Starling quilts through June 2023!

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Sweet Pink Starling Throw & Baby

Both of these baby and throw quilts were made by Amanda Picard and quilted by Trace Creek Quilting using the pantograph 6 Petal Flower from Dastardly Line Quilting.

Pink Star Baby Quilt Pattern
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Starling in Jewel Tones

This throw quilt made by Renee Van Dyke and longarm quilted by Trace Creek Quilting using the Fancy Pants pantograph by Sew Shabby Quilting. Kits will be available at Global Fiber Textiles & Notions for a limited time.

Fabric features Art Gallery Fabric Decostitch, Ruby Star Society Speckled and Studio E Peppered Cottons.

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Layer Cake Starling

This throw quilt was made and longarm quilted by Sandy of Thai Charm using a layer cake by Ruby Star Society. Kits are available on her website for a limited time.

​Sandy is offering 25% off longarm quilting for Starling quilts through June 2023!

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Velvet Baby Starling

Velvet in a quilt? It's unexpected but really cool! This baby quilt was made by Sandy of Thai Charm. I can't wait to hear her thoughts and tips on using this substrate.

Velvet Quilt Baby Quilt with the Starling quilt pattern. suzyquilts.com
Velvet Quilt Baby Quilt with the Starling quilt pattern. suzyquilts.com
Velvet Quilt Baby Quilt with the Starling quilt pattern. suzyquilts.com

Add It Up Starling

This throw quilt featuring Add It Up fabric by Ruby Star Society was made by Sara of Sarah Made and longarm quilted by Trace Creek Quilting using the Even Flow pantograph by Julie Hirt. Kits are available at Sarah Made for a limited time.

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Fabric includes:

  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Chambray
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Bluebell
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Denim
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Lavender
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Peach
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Melon
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Rust
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Warm Red
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Cactus
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Citron
  • 1 FQ - Add it Up in Soft Aqua
  • 2 1/4 yd Add it Up in Neon Pink
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Navy Ruby Star Society Starling

This throw quilt featuring a mix of fabric by Ruby Star Society was made by Sara of Sarah Made and longarm quilted by Trace Creek Quilting using the Trance pantograph. Kits are available at Sarah Made for a limited time.

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

While photographing most of these Starling quilts my youngest child, Joanna, has been dealing with an allergic reaction to penicillin. Poor baby! So she's been my shadow and "helping" in the studio about as well as an almost-two-year old can. 😉

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Scrappy Starling

This throw quilt was made entirely of scraps and fabrics from Brittney Frey's stash it was longarm quilted by Trace Creek Quilting using the Bubbles pantograph by Urban Elementz.

The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com
The Starling quilt pattern is fat quarter and layer cake friendly. It's a modern take on a classically traditional star quilt. suzyquilts.com

Don't Forget! Starling Quilt Sew Along

So what do you think of the Starling pattern? Have I given you too many examples and now your brain is spinning? I hope you feel inspired and not overwhelmed, but if you are feeling a little lost, don't forget that the Starling sew along will start on Friday, March 31. The first week of every sew along includes picking fabric. I can't wait to make this quilt with you!

6 thoughts on “Starling Quilt Pattern – Fat Quarter & Layer Cake Friendly

    • Suzy Williams says:

      Hi Nan, if you click the logo of The Cutting Table, that will take you to the subscribe page. If you are logged in, you will see all of The Cutting Table content. If you are not logged in, you can click on any of the articles or tutorials to login OR you can navigate to the My Account section at the top of the page and login there. If you have any more questions about your subscription, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

  1. Tsion says:

    Hi Suzy,
    Do you by any chance have the names of the fabrics used in the pink version of the Starling Quilt, the one made by Amanda Picard?
    Thank you.

  2. AMANDA THOMAS KIRK says:

    I’d like to use fat quarters for the background fabric (I have a lot of the same color with different textures). How many would I need for the throw size?

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