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Seven Sisters Quilt Blocks

Posted on October 24, 2012October 24, 2012 by Martha

As I mentioned when I talked about this quilt project in an earlier post, it all began with a box of vintage salesman sample swatches from the 1940s or maybe the 1950s. There were hundreds of prints, some with just one piece, and others with duplicates or different colorways.  All of the samples were the same size (1 3/4″ x 3″) with a pinked edge.

When I am dealing with pieces that have similar values, I tend to sort them into color groups, and that’s just what I did to make these Seven Sisters blocks.  I have seen other quilts in this pattern where each star in the group of seven is a different color, and that scheme is repeated in each block.  Because some of my prints have white backgrounds, many contain multiple colors, and there aren’t any solids, that arrangement just didn’t look good with my stars.  However, when I made a block with seven similarly colored stars, it seemed to read better as that particular color.

Cathi at Quilt Obsession has posted a great tutorial on hand piecing this block.  When I read her post, I decided to change the sequence of stitching my stars together because Cathi’s technique is much better.  She’s also a lot faster at hand stitching them since it takes her only 3 hours to complete a block, and I still haven’t managed to complete one in an evening.  My blocks will finish at 15″ x 13″.

14 thoughts on “Seven Sisters Quilt Blocks”

  1. Karen Beigh says:
    October 24, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    You are so right in using similar color pieces within a block. Very scrappy looking but still cohesive in design. Good choice.

    Reply
  2. Cathi says:
    October 24, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    Those Seven Sisters blocks are fabulous! I love the scrappy feeling but you can definitely look and see it’s a blue block or yellow or purple or — great job!

    Those blocks are larger than the ones I’ve been making. The larger the pieces, the longer it’s going to take to stitch them.

    Reply
  3. Patalier says:
    October 24, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    I’m so glad you posted this!! Watch your mail as I have something you just might enjoy.

    Reply
  4. Lauren aka Giddy99 says:
    October 24, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    I’m just agape at all those matching points and Y-seams. AWESOME.

    Reply
  5. Mickie says:
    October 25, 2012 at 5:29 am

    Love the way you grouped these together! You really get to enjoy the fabrics this way. It’s a hard block, glad you found the tutorial to help out!
    Ps, those crepe flowers are too cha-cha for words!
    Hugs, Mickie

    Reply
  6. nancysparrow says:
    October 25, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Martha- these are very interesting to look at. They are stars, but also a tumbling block variation which I have never seen before. A great optical illusion. I look forward to seeing how you place them all in the finished quilt.
    I am so glad you are blogging again. What a treat!

    Reply
  7. Jan says:
    October 25, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    I just love looking at all those vintage fabrics! You are a master at arranging them so effectively!

    Reply
  8. Kathy says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Can you post the pattern for the Seven Sisters quilt block?

    I have my heart set on making one.

    Thank you
    Kathy

    Reply
  9. Michelle Harrison says:
    November 9, 2012 at 9:46 am

    This has always been one of my favorite blocks. I am working on hexies right now so this will be on my list.

    Reply
  10. Panee says:
    December 7, 2012 at 11:03 pm

    Dear Martha:

    I know that this is not the latest post. But I am attempting the seven sister block and I have one question which I could not find the answer yet. I wonder how many seven sister blocks would it take for a quilt is one were to set an estimate before starting the project? For example yours came out 15″, but mine is approx. 10″ Would you kindly help me think of the process? Do I just use grid as the same as hexagon? xxoo’s

    Reply
  11. Jan says:
    July 4, 2013 at 9:15 am

    Where can I find a kit or even a pattern for the Seven Sisters Quilt blocks.

    I am interested in using scraps and making this quilt.

    Jan arizonajanice@aol.com

    Reply
  12. Bonnie says:
    May 2, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    I am looking for a seven sister quilt pattern. Can you help? I really like what you have completed. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer says:
    February 16, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    Absolutely lovely work. I purchased 34 finished and nearly finished blocks of this pattern at a second hand store. Stunning hand work. I’m adding in the white pieces and larger triangles and then onto finishing.

    Reply
  14. Ellen Orr says:
    March 25, 2024 at 4:59 am

    I absolutely love this block! I am working on a very busy hand pieced bezie quilt right now but will totally do this one when I am finished. I don’t see the pattern anywhere but I think I can figure it out.

    Reply

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