2023 AQS & AccuQuilt Along: Morning Star Rainbow Introduction

This pattern produces a simply stunning quilt with plenty of room for creativity, scrap- and stash-busting and innovative quilting styles for finishing.

It can quickly and easily be cut using just two GO! Dies:

1. GO! Morning Star-12” Finished Die
2. GO! Setting Triangles-12” Finished Die

... along with the GO! Strip Cutter-1 1/2” (1” Finished) 5 Strips Die for an optional border.

As with all our 2023 AQS & AccuQuilt-Along projects, you’ll also be able to cut this project using your rotary cutter. The quilt will finish to 53” x 53”.

The GO! Morning Star-12" Finished Die is a BOB die.* You’ll see that this block has just two different shapes: Shape A is an isosceles triangle and Shape B is a half square triangle. For each block, you’ll need a total of 34 Shape A pieces and four Shape B pieces, all cut in one pass through any GO! Fabric Cutter!

We’ll also be using the GO! Setting Triangles-12” Finished Die to make setting the Morning Star blocks on point quick and simple.

This pattern is really all about the fabric and color choices you make! The example version of this pattern is a “rainbow” of color, starting with a striking yellow center and radiating out from there.

As you read through the pattern, you’ll see that this effect is created using just two different block layouts, but that’s just the beginning of your color options. 

Consider using your favorite color and doing an ombre effect from light to dark. When my daughter and son-in-law were married, I used their wedding colors to create this version for them. 

Working with Color in GO! Quilt

If you’ve never tried GO! Quilt, it’s a fun way to envision patterns in all different colorways. You can work with basic colors, a wide array of fabric collections that are pre-loaded or even pictures of your own fabrics.

Here's how to get started:

1. Log in or create an account
2. Click “Create a New Project”
3. Enter the pattern name in the search box
4. Click on the project

Meanwhile, my friend and GO! partner, AccuQuilt Cutting Expert Pam Heller, started thinking about holidays, which, of course, led her to thinking about Halloween fabric (as always!). 

I had pictures of my GO! Quilt versions on my phone, and Pam had printed her "spooky" version out, which was actually much easier to work with. You'll want a printed copy with your colors on it to help you once we get started, so why not print it now?

Erica’s Fabrics
My fabric pull for the project are both from Riley Blake Designs.

• Hello Spring by Sandy Gervais, Riley Blake Designs
• Background Fabric – Bee Basics & Backgrounds by Lori Hold of Bee in My Bonnet, Riley Blake Designs
  I really wanted a background with just a little "something" going on, and this is just right. 

Pam’s Fabrics
Here's a breakdown of Pam’s Halloween-themed fabrics:

• Black Tone-on-Tone Print for the background – Kitty Corn by UrbanChicks, Moda Fabrics
  She really wanted spiderweb fabric for the background, but it was just too busy with the other prints!
• Orange Ghosts Print – Spooky ’n Sweet by Art Gallery
• Purple Prints – Ghouls and Goodies by Stacy lest Hsu, Moda Fabrics
• Green Skull Print – Basic Grey's Hallo-Harvest, Moda Fabrics
• Green Print with Words – Boo Crew by Sweetwater, Moda Fabrics
• Bat Print – Too Cute to Spook by Me & My Sister Designs, Moda Fabrics

1. For Shape A (isosceles triangle), download the template for cutting. Refer to the pattern instructions for the number of pieces needed in each color. 
   
   PRO TIP: Be sure to print your template at full size and double check the 1" key to confirm the correct sizing.
2. For Shape B (half square triangle), use the downloadable template above or cut 4 3/8" x 4 3/8" squares. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, cut from one corner to the opposite corner to create two half square triangles. Refer to the pattern instructions for the number of pieces needed in each color.
3. For the side setting triangles, cut six 12 7/8” x 12 7/8” pieces of fabric. Subcut each one diagonally for a total of 12 triangles. 
4. For the border, cut five 1 1/2" x Width of Fabric (WOF) strips. Sew them together and subcut following the pattern directions.
5. For binding, cut six 2 1/2" x WOF strips

No matter how you choose to cut your project, you’ll want to download the GO! Morning Star Rainbow Quilt Pattern for the assembly directions.

We’ll be kicking things off on Wednesday, June 7 at Noon CT with cutting and organizing our pieces. Be sure to enter your email address on our Event page to receive reminder emails and be entered for the weekly door prizes!

We’ll work on sewing blocks and assembling the quilt June 14, 21 and 28 with a celebration of the project with a Show & Tell episode on July 5. All episodes will be recorded and available to watch anytime on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.