In this tutorial, we’ll explore a creative and nostalgic quilt pattern inspired by the famous “ET Phone Home” scene from the beloved 1980s film. The design combines a playful sense of geometry and storytelling, bringing a piece of cinematic history into your quilt projects.
This ET-themed quilt block will be a conversation starter, making it the perfect addition to any quilt collection.
Below, we break down each step, using terms like quilt and quilt patterns, to ensure your project follows Google’s SEO best practices. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, this tutorial will guide you through the entire process, from fabric cutting to sewing.
Materials and Fabric Selection
Choosing the right fabric is crucial for this pattern. To create the ET Phone Home quilt block, you’ll need fabric in various shades of blue, gray, and white to represent the night sky, the moon, and ET’s silhouette. Adding a bright pop of red or yellow for ET’s glowing heart will enhance the visual appeal.
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First, you’ll need at least six different fabrics:
- Dark blue for the night sky
- Light gray for the moon
- Black or dark brown for ET’s silhouette
- White or cream for the stars
- Red or yellow for ET’s heart
- Optional: green for trees or a bike frame detail
Selecting high-quality quilting cotton ensures durability and vivid colors. Opt for fabrics with little to no stretch, as this will maintain the integrity of your quilt pattern.
Cutting the Fabric: Essential Dimensions
Precise fabric cutting is key to achieving sharp lines and crisp shapes in your ET quilt block. Start by cutting your fabric according to the following dimensions:
- Night sky fabric (dark blue): Cut two squares, each measuring 4.5 x 4.5 inches, and one rectangle, 6.5 x 12.5 inches.
- Moon fabric (light gray): Cut a 6-inch circle to represent the full moon.
- ET silhouette fabric (black or dark brown): Cut a small 3-inch silhouette shape that resembles ET’s iconic image.
- Stars fabric (white or cream): Cut four small star shapes, each about 1 inch in diameter.
- ET’s heart fabric (red or yellow): Cut a tiny heart shape, approximately 1 inch.
When cutting fabric for a quilt pattern like this, precision matters. Use a rotary cutter and a cutting mat to keep your lines sharp. Rulers designed specifically for quilting help ensure that every cut is straight and accurate, especially for geometric shapes like squares and rectangles.
Assembling the Quilt Block
Now that your fabric pieces are cut, it’s time to start assembling the quilt block. Begin with the night sky background and moon.
- Step 1: Position the Moon
Place the 6-inch circle of light gray fabric (the moon) onto one of the night sky squares (4.5 x 4.5 inches). Pin it securely to the square and use an appliqué stitch or a zigzag stitch to sew it in place. This forms the backdrop of your ET Phone Home quilt block. - Step 2: Create the ET Silhouette
Next, position the small silhouette shape (3 inches) representing ET’s body over the moon. This step is vital, as it gives the quilt block its recognizable theme. Use a satin stitch or blanket stitch to attach the silhouette, ensuring it stands out sharply against the moon. - Step 3: Add the Stars and Heart
Sew the white star shapes onto the remaining dark blue squares. Place them at different angles and positions for a scattered night sky effect. Then, sew ET’s heart onto his silhouette, using either red or yellow fabric, to replicate the glowing effect from the movie. The small heart gives this quilt block a personal and heartfelt touch.
Sewing the Quilt Block Together
With all your individual pieces attached, it’s time to sew everything into one cohesive block. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance for all sewing to ensure consistency throughout the project.
- Step 1: Join the Night Sky Squares
Sew the two night sky squares (each measuring 4.5 x 4.5 inches) together, forming a larger square. The moon and ET silhouette should be on one side, and the stars should be scattered on the other. - Step 2: Attach the Night Sky Rectangle
Take the 6.5 x 12.5-inch rectangle and attach it to the bottom of the night sky squares you just sewed. This forms the full background of the ET Phone Home quilt block. This larger rectangular piece represents the lower portion of the sky, where you could optionally add tree silhouettes or a small bike shape for added detail. - Step 3: Final Seam Check
Before finishing the block, double-check that all seams are even and secure. Press the seams flat with an iron to give the block a clean, polished appearance. This step is essential for ensuring your quilt pattern pieces lie flat when sewn into a larger quilt.
Finishing Touches and Creative Additions
Now that your ET Phone Home quilt block is assembled, you can choose to add more creative touches or leave it as is. Some quilters like to add hand embroidery to highlight certain parts, such as the stars or the moon’s edges, to give it more texture and dimension.
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- Optional Step: Add Hand Stitching
If you’re experienced with hand embroidery, you can outline the stars or add little constellations to the night sky. Use metallic thread to make the stars shimmer, adding a magical touch to the overall design. - Optional Step: Create a Border
Consider adding a border to frame your ET quilt block. A thin border of white or black fabric, cut at 2 inches wide, can make the design stand out when combined with other blocks. If you plan to create a larger quilt, borders help unify each quilt block. - Optional Step: Add Background Detail
If you want to take this quilt pattern further, you can add silhouettes of trees or a small bike below the moon to echo the famous scene from the film. Use dark fabric and simple shapes to keep the focus on the moon and ET silhouette.
Conclusion
The ET Phone Home quilt block is a nostalgic and fun project for any quilter looking to add a bit of cinematic charm to their quilt patterns. This block, with its moon, stars, and ET silhouette, offers a creative and unique way to explore applique and fabric cutting techniques. By following the step-by-step tutorial, you can bring this iconic movie moment to life in your quilt designs.
With precise fabric cutting, careful stitching, and a little bit of creativity, you’ll have a quilt block that’s sure to be the star of your next quilt project. Whether you incorporate this design into a larger quilt or create a standalone wall hanging, the ET Phone Home quilt block is a fun and rewarding project for quilters of all skill levels. Happy quilting!
