Army Star Quilt Block Tutorial: An Easy 16″ Block with Big Impact
Bold, classic, and endlessly versatile, the Army Star quilt block is a favorite for good reason. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through an easy 16″ Army Star block that comes together with simple half-square triangles, snowballed rectangles, rectangles, and squares - no tricky piecing required.
While the construction is beginner-friendly, the payoff is big: when these blocks are set together, they create a striking secondary design that adds movement and visual interest to your quilt. Whether you’re adding it to a sampler or planning a full quilt, this Army Star block is a satisfying make with timeless appeal.
Fabric Requirements for a 16" Finished Army Star Quilt Block:
- Light/Cream: 4 - 4.5" x 6.5" rectangles, 2 - 5" squares, 1 - 4.5" square, and 4 - 2.5" squares
- Medium/Gold: 2 - 5" squares
- Dark/Orange: 8 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
- Dark/Green: 8 - 2.5" squares
Sewing Directions:
Half Square Triangle Units:
Step 1:
Using the two Light/Cream 5" squares, and the Medium/Gold 5" squares, sew together four Half Square Triangle (HST) units like the ones in the picture below. Press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Trim/square up the units to 4.5".
You can find my tutorial for making basic Half Square Triangles at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block and eight at a time at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/two-easy-methods-for-making-half-square-triangle-quilt-blocks
Snowballed Rectangle Units:
Step 2:
Make four Snowballed Rectangle units using the Light/Cream 4.5" x 6.5" rectangles, and the Dark/Green 2.5" squares. This unit goes together just like half of a Snowball block except that you use a rectangle for the base. You can find my tutorial for making a Snowball block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-snowball-block
Here are the first steps, going from left to right, top to bottom:
- Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the 2.5" squares.
- Sew a 2.5" square to one corner of the Light/Cream rectangle along the marked line. Note the orientation of the marked line.
- Match the corners of the 2.5" square and press.
- Open up the 2.5" square and trim the seam allowance.
- Refold.
Step 3:
Repeat Step 2 on the adjacent corner of the Light/Cream rectangle for a total of four Snowballed Rectangle units as shown in the picture below.
Corner Units:
Step 4:
Lay out a Step 1 HST unit, two Dark/Orange 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and one Light/Cream 2.5" square as shown below.
Step 5:
Sew the units into two rows and press the seam allowances toward the Dark/Orange rectangles as shown below.
Step 6:
Sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance away from the HST unit as shown in the picture below.
Step 7:
Repeat Steps 4 through 6 for a total of four Corner units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 8:
Lay out the Snowballed Rectangle units, the Corner Units, and the Light/Cream 4.5" square as shown below. From here the unit goes together like an uneven Nine Patch block.
Step 9:
Sew the units into three rows as shown below.
Step 10:
Press the seam allowances away from the Snowballed Rectangle units as shown in the picture below.
Step 11:
Sew the three rows together to complete the block.
Step 12:
Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block. All done - that was quick!
Layout Ideas:
This is the basic 4 x 4 layout with colors similar to the tutorial.
And the same layout as above but with 2" sashing and cornerstones added.
This is an alternating layout where every other block is variation of the Army Star.
In this monochromatic alternating layout, a different variation of the Army Star block is used.
This on-point layout uses a scrappy block and coordinating 1" sashing and cornerstones. Background fabric is used for the setting triangles as well.
Here is another on-point layout where the block is extended into the setting triangles.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed sewing the Army Star block together. It went together smoothly and quickly - that's always a plus! I really like the scrappy layout with all the stars being the same color. Might have to start another project!
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more star blocks? Take a look at these tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/eight-pointed-star-blocks
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406