How to Make a Milky Way Quilt - Free Quilting Tutorial

Jenny Doan is "quilting the cosmos" with Dresden-plate stars on a vast ombre background.

She's using Orbital Sunrise batiks by astronaut-quilter Karen Nyberg. (This collection is inspired by Earth's landscapes as seen from the International Space Station!)

The Milky Way quilt is designed for creativity. Make it your own with two-color Dresdens in any size; this is astronomical applique at its best!

Get the supplies needed to make this quilt by clicking the link below:

Learn to sew with Jenny Doan as she teaches quilting tutorials from the heart. She’s the smiling face of Missouri Star Quilt Company, full of sewing tips and tricks and easy quilting patterns that never fail to impress. Stitching together simplified quilts full of love and laughter, Jenny makes quilting and sewing for beginners friendlier than ever before. With nearly a million YouTube subscribers and 300 million views to date, she has sparked enthusiasm for quilting across the globe. From beginner sewing projects to easy sewing hacks, she'll have you stitching with confidence in no time!

@MissouriQuiltCo provides totally FREE quick and easy quilting, sewing, and craft tutorials every single week because we love to help you create! Follow along with these fun online classes to learn more about quilt design and quilting techniques. It’s an inspiration for everyone—from beginners to advanced quilters. To make quilting easier than ever before, precut fabrics are used as the building blocks of almost every sewing tutorial. These quilt fabrics like layer cakes, charm packs, and jelly rolls make textile patchwork as easy as pie! Plus, we offer quilt patterns and quilting supplies along with gorgeous quilt material to simplify your experience. We hope you enjoy our quilting for beginners tutorials. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!

#missouristarquiltco #quilting #quilt #milkywayquilt #layercake

[barbarahaupt]

Fantastic! You just gave me my next quilt idea. Thank you!

[br]

This is such a really cool looking quilt. Love the fact that even the quilting is outer space themed.

[carolbarnes]

Gorgeous technique. I love the combinations of fabric
And have a Grandson that loves Space and all the discoveries. He has been to Space Camp and would love .
Here I go to Outer Space adventure in my sewing room. Thank you Jenny again and again.

[marthafulmer]

Jenny…. Stars are never just one color value. They have character like your Milky Way quilt. Great job.
Thank you for the video

[HRHDMKYT]

Oh my goodness!!! That quilt looks so arresting! I love the look of circles sprinkled randomly. Adding this one to the top of my “must make” list. (Since everything was cut into 2.5” widths, I may just use a jelly roll! Although I do have a layer cake bought years ago from MSQC with the fabric line named ‘Moonstone’ that would totally fit this theme! Now I just have to find it… 🤭), Thank you Jenny for an awesome quilt design and excellent tutorial video MSQC Team!!❤

[ruthhilsdorf]

Did anyone else see a 3 dimensional look with the light/dark contrast of the Dresdens? That really struck me when looking at the quilt hanging. So much fun stuff to be done with that Dresden.

[petrodiedericks]

This is an awesome quilt. The fabrics are beautiful. A jellyroll will work just as well. Thank you Jenny.

[sherryfaires]

Jenny, I have looked forward to this tutorial since I saw your Tuesday night chat! You did not disappoint! Of course, you never have disappointed me! Thank you so much for a beautiful idea! Oh, I think pressing the center onto the background at the same time was a time saving idea. I know a lot of quilters would have made a ring of fusible so it wouldn’t be on the entire center. This was a very practical option! Thank you!

[debbiehampton]

I am going to miss you. You are the one that taught me to quilt. The folks in Africa are lucky to have you. You and Ron are going to get an amazing blessing. Will be praying for you.

[Dasburyfamily]

WOW, Jenny this is spectacular! I haven’t used my Dresden template yet because I had not seen it used yet. After tonight, I now know how to use it. Thanks you for this amazing tutorial. I’m excited to give this a try. 🌸🩷🩷🩷🌸

[helenwilliams]

I love the idea of the two different colors on each Dresden blade! Thanks for this great idea! Your quilt is out of this world!

[koalasez]

Dresdens have been a goal for a long time but I’ve been chicken. Your explanations make perfect sense. I have that wood tool 😉. Love this tutorial and it’s great to see you!! Thank you 😊
Aha!! I just realized this would make a neat snowflakes ❄️ quilt!

[JeanneOlson-vvtl]

Unexpected, but incredibly unique. I looked at my various template’s & rulers just yesterday. Perfect, because I have the Dresden plate ruler, & have never used it. I’m so excited to try this quilt pattern. Happy sewing 🧵🪡 !

[barbararichmond]

Wow! I love this quilt. The light and dark makes the Dresden’s stand out. So cute.

[andree]

Dear Jenny, you never disappoint! This quilt is ‘out of this world’! Really super duper awesome! I have a jelly roll that I didn’t know what to do with, and this tutorial told me exactly what I need to do with it. Thank you so much! You taught me that I COULD be a quilter, and now you teach me how to be a good CREATIVE one. Thanks so much ❤

[LinniePA]

This looks like a fun quilt but not one that I would make. Great ideas, though, on making Dresdens so definitely learned something today! Thank you Jenny!

[apalach]

Very beautiful! Happy to learn how to do the 2 color Dresden. Weekend project is going to be a one large blue and white Dresden plate on a blue or gray background with red and white stripes attached to one end to make an Independence Day flag for my front porch. Thank you for the inspiration, Jenny!

[lizreynolds]

Jenny, this is
AWESOMENESS ²! I am amazed! You are such a great teacher, you explain and demonstrate so well. It may be a while, but I will try this. Thank you for sharing this with us 😊🎉❤🦓 Liz

[mariehughes]

Jenny you and your family are so amazing pray all goes smoothly in Africa I’m sure they will love and appreciate all that you do and show them ❤

[conniedouglass]

You & Karen Nyberg—what a pair for creativity. Thank you so much for feeding my family’s imaginations. One granddaughter is such an artist & hopes to be an astronaut! This pattern is fuel! Jenny! You’re a blessing. Thanks!