Blue Star Banner Quilt

We would like to Thank the American Legion for granting us permission
to use the blue star banner to design this quilt.

The American Legion is rekindling the tradition and spirit of pride in our
military men and women following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The American Legion is providing banners to families in communities across the nation.
Free color downloads of the banners are also available at
The American Legion Internet Website at www.legion.org

Read all about the Blue Star Banner here.

Pre-wash all fabric to prevent accidental "bleeding", especially reds and dark blues
All instructions allow for 1/4" seams, as usual

FINISHED SIZE OF EACH BANNER MUST BE 8" X 16" - FEDERAL LAW

For each banner, cut
2 - 5.5 x2" strips - assorted reds
2 - 16.5 x 2" strips - assorted reds
1- 13.5 x 5.5" block - white
1 - 3" five-point star - for this you will then turn under 1/4" all
around and blind stitch it dead center in each white block

TO MAKE YOU WILL NEED
Twin 20 Banners
Full/Queen 30 Banners
King 35 Banners

FOR INSIDE BORDERS:

Cut:

Twin - 12 - 4.5 x 4.5" squares - dark blue
Full/Queen - 20 4.5 x 4.5" squares - dark blue
King - 24 of above squares

Twin - 16 - 16.5 x 4.5" strips - lighter blue
Full/Queen - 25 of above strips
King - 30 of above strips

Twin - 15 - 8.5 x 4.5" strips - even lighter blue
Full/Queen - 24 of above strips
King - 28 of above strips

PIECE AS SHOWN IN THE DIAGRAM FOR TWIN

USING SAME DIAGRAM - PIECE 6 BANNERS ACROSS AND 5 DOWN FOR FULL/QUEEN

PIECE 7 ACROSS AND 5 DOWN FOR KING SIZE

Cut and piece long 2.5" strips of Yellow (for our Remembering Ribbon)

Sew around perimeter of quilt for Yellow Ribbon Border - waiting till our
troops come home, girls!

STRIPED BORDER:

Sew together 4.5" wide lengths of alternating red, white, and blue fabric.
Cut on diagonal 6.5" wide.

Pin, piece, and fit around the perimeter outside the yellow ribbon.

FINISHED TOP SIZES

Twin - 72 x 92

Full/Queen - 84 x 112

King 96 x 112

If you like more "hang" just cut the ribbon border wider, and the striped
border wider.

Use low or medium loft batting, back up as you ordinarily would with a
coordinating fabric, baste, then "go to it"

Stitch in the ditch would add great depth and not too much interference with
the beautiful design - just a suggestion.

Bind as you normally do with bias tape, or this one would look great
"self-bound by bringing extra backing fabric to the front and blind stitching.

A BIG THANK YOU to Gary (Zach's Dad) and Janet (Brian & Erich's Mom)
for the design, dimensions and donating this quilt to militarymoms.net
YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!!!

HAVE FUN QUILTING !!

The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front lines.
It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.

Read all about the Blue Star Banner here.