A Celestial Twilight Summer Block Party Bonus!
Today I have a special treat for you!
We are deep into the Celestial Twilight Summer Block Party, and this week the designer behind Brown Bird Designs—that’s me!—shared the Sparkling Star Block. It is such a fun block to make, and I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful versions. As a bonus, I’m gifting you the Glow Bug Quilt Block Tutorial. This block captures the heart of our Block Party theme: magical summer nights filled with wonder and delight. It celebrates time spent outdoors, watching nature come alive after dark, and appreciating the beauty of the world around us.
The Glow Bug Block finishes at an 8″ square and is the perfect companion to the Sparkling Star Block as well as all the other quilt blocks from the block party.
Fabric Requirements for the Glow Bug Quilt Block Tutorial
| Fabric Color | Fabric Piece Name | Piece Size and Quantity |
| BG Fabric | Piece A | (1) 3¼” square |
| BG Fabric | Piece B | (4) 2¼” squares |
| Green Fabric | Piece C | (3) 2¼” squares |
| Black Fabric | Piece D | (1) 2¼” square |
| Green and BG Fabric | Piece E | (2) leftover pieces from the Sparkling Star Block |
| BG Fabric | Piece F | (2) 4¼” x 1½” rectangles |
| BG Fabric | Piece G | (2) 8½” x 2¾” |
Download the Template
Click here to download, print, and cut out the Glow Bug template before beginning.
Make the Half-Square Triangles
Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of all the Piece Bs.
Place a marked square right sides together with Piece D square. Sew ¼” on both sides of the drawn line. Cut directly on the line to create two half-square triangles (HSTs). Press and trim each HST to 1¾” square.
Make 6 HSTs that are made with Piece B and Piece C.
2 HSTs that are made with Piece B and Piece D.
Cut the Corner Triangles
Locate Piece A, place your ruler diagonally across the 3¼” square, and cut once.
Rotate the ruler to the opposite diagonal and cut again. This will create 4 triangles.
A Preview of
the parts to make
Make the Glow Bug Body Triangle
Sew one triangle to the edge of an HST and press. (As shown below.)
Sew a second triangle to the opposite edge of the HST and press.
This will create a larger triangle unit.
Repeat to make 2 units.
Create the Glow Bug Wings
Locate the leftover pieces from the Sparkling Star Pattern (T5).
Place the Glow Bug template on top of the leftover unit, aligning the seam between the fabrics with the marked seam line on the template. Cut 2 Wing Triangles.
Putting the Glow Bug Together
Sew 1 Wing Triangle to 1 Bug Body Triangle. (As shown above.) Repeat.
Sew the two halves, line up the center points carefully. Before sewing, pull the fabric back approximately ¼” at the center to ensure the points will align correctly. Adjust as needed and pin in place.
Create the Glow Bug Wing Edges
Sew together 3 HSTs, keeping the longest Green edge all on the right edge and the longest BG edge all on the opposite edge. (As shown below.)
Then, sew together 3 HSTs, keeping the longest Green edge all on the left edge and the longest BG edge all on the opposite edge. (As shown below.)
Next, sew a wing edge to the right side of the Glow Bug Body. Then sew a wing edge to the left edge of the Glow Bug Body, making sure the green edges meet.
Finish the Block
Sew a Piece F to the left and right sides of the Glow Bug. Press toward the outer edges.
Sew a Piece Gto the top and bottom of the block. Press toward the outer edges.
Your Glow Bug Block is complete!
Show Me Your Glow Bugs!
I’m currently making Quilt #1 and Quilt #2 for the Celestial Twilight Summer Block Party. If you haven’t been following along on Instagram, here’s a look at how they’re coming together so far! Let me know you liked the Glow Bug Quilt Block Tutorial in the comments below.
