Windham Fabrics Wish Upon a Star - Downloadable PDF

Wish Upon a Star Quilt Pattern by Stephanie Sheridan for Windham Fabrics

Wish Upon a Star is a free, downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Stephanie Sheridan and published by Windham Fabrics. Rated as a beginner-friendly project, this pattern produces a charming quilted blanket or throw featuring a structured, repeating block layout arranged in a carefully planned grid. The design makes thoughtful use of directional fabric, a detail explicitly noted in the pattern, making it an excellent introduction to working with prints that have a defined orientation.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a quilted blanket or throw constructed from three distinct pieced blocks arranged across seven rows and five columns. The overall composition is framed by inner and outer borders, giving the quilt a polished, finished appearance. The symmetrical arrangement of blocks creates a visually balanced design that is well-suited to a nursery, bedroom, or decorative throw setting.

Block Construction

The pattern is built around three unique block types, each repeated a specific number of times to achieve the final layout:

• Block 1 — made 9 times, positioned at the corners and key anchor points of the quilt grid
• Block 2 — made 8 times, used to create secondary visual interest across the interior rows
• Block 3 — made 18 times, the most frequently repeated block and the primary building unit of the overall design

Within the block construction process, the pattern calls for two types of sub-units that are assembled before the blocks are completed:

• JF1 Unit — made 36 times, used within the block assembly steps
• JF2 Unit — made 36 times, paired with the JF1 units to complete the block structures

These sub-units incorporate fabric pieces labeled with letters and numbers such as H1, J1, D1, F1, G1, B1, and JF1/JF2, indicating a systematic cutting and labeling approach that helps beginner quilters stay organized throughout the piecing process.

Quilt Layout and Row Structure

The finished quilt top is assembled across seven rows, each containing five blocks. The rows alternate in their block arrangements to create the overall star-inspired pattern:

• Row 1 — Block 3, Block 1, Block 3, Block 1, Block 3
• Row 2 — Block 1, Block 3, Block 2, Block 3, Block 1
• Row 3 — Block 3, Block 2, Block 3, Block 2, Block 3
• Row 4 — Block 2, Block 3, Block 1, Block 3, Block 2
• Row 5 — Block 3, Block 2, Block 3, Block 2, Block 3
• Row 6 — Block 1, Block 3, Block 2, Block 3, Block 1
• Row 7 — Block 3, Block 1, Block 3, Block 1, Block 3

This mirrored, symmetrical arrangement gives the quilt a pleasing sense of balance and is a hallmark of classic quilt design, making it approachable for newer quilters while still producing a sophisticated result.

Borders and Finishing

The quilt top is completed with two border rounds that frame the block grid:

• Inner border (C) — strips cut at 1-1/2" × 47-1/2" applied to the sides, and 1-1/2" × 63-1/2" (or equivalent) applied to the top and bottom
• Outer border (E) — strips cut at 3-1/2" × 53-1/2" applied to the sides, and corresponding lengths for the top and bottom

These borders add visual framing and allow quilters to practice straight-line border attachment, a foundational quilting skill. The wider outer border in particular gives