American Dreams Quilt with Stars and Stripes Forever by Lori Whitlock

Imagine this. Your new 4th of July quilt spread out on the community park grass, ready for the annual firework show, keeping you and your family warm under the starry night sky. It’s the same quilt you’ll take with you for years, maybe even decades, becoming a cherished family heirloom.

Hi, I’m Alexis from Stitched by Alexis (you can find me on Instagram [HERE]), and for decades, I’ve been attending 4th of July fireworks shows with my family, always accompanied by a family heirloom quilt. I want to share with you a way to create a lasting 4th of July tradition using the Stars and Stripes Forever fabric collection by Lori Whitlock for Riley Blake.

Fabric

Reds:

• Stars and Stripes Forever Stars Red
• Stars and Stripes Forever Fireworks Red
• Stars and Stripes Forever Plaid Red
• 1/8″ Gingham Red (RBD Basics)
• Swiss Dot On White Red (RBD Basics)

Blues:

• Stars and Stripes Forever Stars Blue
• Stars and Stripes Forever Shooting Stars Navy
• Stars and Stripes Forever Hats Navy
• Stars and Stripes Forever Flags Navy
• 1/8″ Gingham Navy (RBD Basics)

Whites:

• Stars and Stripes Forever Stars White
• Stars and Stripes Forever Shooting Stars White
• Stars and Stripes Forever Hats White
• Stars and Stripes Forever Fireworks White
• Stars and Stripes Forever Flags White

Project

A few years ago, I saw this quilt pattern and it immediately caught my eye. I knew I had to make it part of our family traditions. The American Dreams quilt pattern by Angela Pingel is the perfect combination of patriotic charm and coziness for your annual fireworks celebration.

The American Dreams pattern comes in three sizes, and I chose the largest size at 84×84 to ensure there’s plenty of room for everyone when it’s fully laid out. This pattern can also be adapted to honor fire and police service personnel—perfect for a thoughtful gift.

Construction Tips

• American Dreams is made using strip piecing. To get the best results, I recommend you have a consistent seam allowance. I use a Bernina sewing machine with a Patchwork Seam Guide, but Cluck Cluck Diagonal Seam Tape is a great budget-friendly alternative. Be cautious of magnetic seam guides, as they may shift during use, causing inconsistencies in your seam allowances.
• This pattern is a fun one to make, and the best part? Keeping your strips random will give your quilt that perfect scrappy feel. It’s also scrap-friendly—so if you’ve got a pile of red, white, and blue scraps lying around, now’s the perfect time to dive in! Each fabric has its own story, and you’ll be able to share those stories with your family at every fireworks party.

Thank you!

I’d love to see what you create! If you want more quilt inspiration, tips, and exclusive content, be sure to follow me on Instagram and visit my website. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter—it’s the best way to stay in the loop for upcoming projects and sewing fun!

Happy quilting!
Alexis