My Favorite Classic Quilt Block

MAKING AN EIGHT POINTED STAR

I’m excited to share a fun twist on a traditional quilt block, the Eight pointed star.

Why I Love the Eight Pointed Star

1. It is simple to make. (Think Half Square Triangles)
2. Its beauty is timeless. (First appeared in the middle ages)
3. Simplicity never looked so good.
4. I have one hanging in my quilt room, in the form of a wooden barn quilt from Red Rainboots Handmade.

MAKING A STAR FLOWER / EIGHT POINTED STAR BLOCK

I am giving you the easy way to make this block.  We’re going to avoid the diamond shape and Y seams, and stick with using Half Square Triangles.  CLICK HERE to get a cheat sheet on making HST’s.  I’m also designing the block with a slight variation.  The finished block will look like this:

How is this a variation, you might ask?  Here is a picture of a traditional block without any variations:

To Start:

1. Cut (2) 6″ squares in Color A.
2. Cut (2) 6″ squares in Color B.
3. Draw an ‘X’ on the wrong side of both Fabric B squares.

4. Place (1) Color A 6″ square RST with (1)  Color B 6″ square.
5. Sew ¼” away from drawn lines.  Dotted lines show where to sew.

6. Cut on the drawn diagonal lines.  Without moving fabric, cut on the vertical and horizontal lines as well.

7. Press open, with seams toward the darker fabric.  Trim to measure 2 ½” x 2 ½”.
8. Repeat these steps with your second Fabric A and Fabric B 6″ squares.  You will have (16) 2 ½” HST’s.
Arrange your HST’s and sew together to form your Star Flower.  Press seams open as you go.

MAKE A QUILT TOP

You can make (12) Star Flowers to make the following quilt top.  I made a mock up with Amy Sinibaldi’s new Mayflower line for Art Gallery Fabrics.

To do this, you would just need to add some sashing in between each Star Flower.  It can make a traditional and stunning quilt top.  Be sure to check out my other FREE tutorials, like making a Fabric Book Mark.