How to Hand Stitch Using the Stars Upon Stars Templates
There’s something special about slowing down with a bit of hand stitching. It’s quiet, steady work, the kind that travels well and feels grounding wherever you are. The Stars Upon Stars templates by Laundry Basket Quilts are perfect for that kind of sewing.
I’ve been using them to piece eight-pointed stars by hand, and it’s reminded me why I love quilting in the first place, the rhythm, the focus, and the small triumph when each point meets just right.
In this post, I’ll share how to use the Stars Upon Stars templates for hand stitching, along with a few helpful YouTube videos that show the process step by step. Whether you’re piecing at home or stitching on the go, this project is a lovely way to bring your stars to life, one seam at a time.
Getting Started
You can find the Stars Upon Stars templates here on our shop:
👉 Stars Upon Stars Templates – The Quilting Owl
These sturdy acrylic templates are designed by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts. They’re perfect for marking, cutting, and piecing by hand or machine. In this post, we’ll focus on hand stitching — ideal for travel, quiet evenings, or when you just want to slow things down.
Marking and Stitching the Pieces
In this helpful video, Wendy shows how to mark your fabric using the Stars Upon Stars templates and piece your block by hand:
▶️ How to Mark and Stitch the Stars Upon Stars Block
Once you’ve marked your pieces, watch her second tutorial for stitching tips to get a clean, perfect center:
▶️ Hand Stitching for a Perfect Center
If you’re new to hand piecing, you’ll see how careful marking and short, even stitches make all the difference.
Building the Center Star
Another lovely demonstration comes from Marie at Quiltastic, who focuses on the heart of the block — the center star. Her hand stitching method is neat and simple:
▶️ Hand Stitching the Center Star
Take your time with this step. It’s where your precision pays off, and the star begins to shine.
Extra Tips from Edyta Sitar
If you’d like to see how Edyta herself approaches this design, here are a few of her videos that offer great insight:
Even though Edyta uses her sewing machine in these, her explanations about layout, alignment, and pressing are very helpful for hand stitchers too.
And if you’re curious about completing the whole quilt by machine, Loretta’s playlist is a good reference:
▶️ Stars Upon Stars Quilt – Full Series by Loretta
Stitching on the Go
One of the joys of hand piecing is how portable it is. I often keep a few star sections in a small sewing pouch — thread, needle, thimble, and fabric pieces ready to go. A quiet moment becomes time to sew another seam or finish another star.
The Stars Upon Stars templates make this easy because each piece fits precisely. You can prepare a whole batch of stars in advance and stitch wherever you are — in the garden, on a train, or tucked under a quilt in the evening.
Final Thoughts
The Stars Upon Stars quilt is a beautiful balance of structure and play. Each block sparkles differently depending on your fabric choices, and hand stitching brings out its timeless charm.
If you’re ready to start, you can find the templates here:
👉 Shop Stars Upon Stars Templates – The Quilting Owl
And if you’re looking for more quilting inspiration, you might also like:
A Quiet Joy in Every Stitch
There’s a certain peace in sewing by hand — no noise, no rush, just fabric, thread, and time well spent. The Stars Upon Stars quilt reminds me that quilting isn’t only about the finish; it’s about the moments between the stitches.
If you decide to start your own Stars Upon Stars journey, I’d love to see it. Tag @thequiltingowl or share your progress with our quilting community. However long it takes, every star is worth it.
Happy stitching,
Michelle