Free Christmas Star Quilt Block Pattern

Posted by Elaine Huff on

Today let's look at the Christmas Star quilt block. With Christmas just around the corner, you probably won't have time to make anything with this block this year but why not get a head start on next year! This traditional Christmas Star quilt block that I'll be demonstrating in this tutorial is attributed to the Kansas City Star. Let's jump in!

christmas star quilt block

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Christmas Star Quilt Block:

  • Light/White: 4 - 3" squares, and 24 - 2.5" squares (I couldn't count so there are only 16 squares in the picture - lol!)
  • Medium/Purple: 4 - 2.5" squares
  • Medium/Blue: 1 - 4.5" square, and 8 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
  • Dark/Blue: 4 - 3" squares, and 8 - 2.5" squares

christmas star fabric requirements

Sewing Directions:

Corner Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/White 3" squares and the Dark/Blue 3" squares, sew together eight Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. Trim/square up the units to 2.5" square. You can find a tutorial for my method of making Half Square Triangle blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

christmas star 1

Step 2:

Lay out two of the Step 1 Half Square Triangle units with two of the Light/White 2.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

christmas star 2

Step 3:

Sew the Step 2 units into two rows as shown below. Press the seam allowances toward the Light/White 2.5" squares.

christmas star 3

Step 4:

Now you can sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance as shown in the picture below. Repeat for a total of four Corner Units.

christmas star 4

Combination Flying Geese Units:

Step 5:

Sew together eight Flying Geese units using the Light/White 2.5" squares and the Medium/Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles as shown in the picture below. You can find my method for making a Flying Geese block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block Set aside four of these units.

christmas star 5

Step 6:

Now you can sew what I call a Double Flying Geese unit for lack of a better name. Basically, you will be using the same steps for a basic Flying Geese unit. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the eight Dark/Blue 2.5" squares. Using the photo below for reference, sew one of the Dark/Blue 2.5" squares onto one of the Step 5 Flying Geese units (top example). Match up the corners of the Dark/Blue 2.5" square and press (second example). Open the Dark/Blue 2.5" square and trim off the seam allowance (third example). Refold the Dark/Blue (fourth example).

Christmas star 6

Step 7:

Now you just have to repeat Step 6 on the other end! Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for a total of four units.

christmas star 7

Step 8:

Sew a Step 5 unit to a Step 7 unit as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the Step 5 unit. Repeat for a total of four Combination Flying Geese units.

christmas star 8

Center Unit:

Step 9:

The Center unit is simply a Square in a Square block. Using the Medium/Blue 4.5" square and the four Medium/Purple 2.5" squares, make a Square in a Square unit as shown in the picture below. You can find the Square in a Square tutorial at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-square-in-a-square-block

christmas star 9

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Putting It All Together:

Step 10:

Lay out the Corner units, Combination Flying Geese units, and the Center unit as shown in the picture below. From here, the Christmas Star quilt block goes together like a simple Nine Patch block.

christmas star 10

Step 11:

Now you can sew the units into three rows as shown below and ...

christmas star 11

Step 12:

Press the seam allowances away from the Combination Flying Geese units as you can see in the picture below.

christmas star 12

Step 13:

And now you sew the three rows together to complete the block!

christmas star 13

Step 14:

I pressed the seam allowances toward the center of the Christmas Star quilt block as you can see in the photo below. This way will make it easier to sew blocks together as the seams will nest. But you can press in whatever direction you prefer.

christmas star 14

Conclusion:

I'm a sucker for star blocks but I really do like the looks of this Christmas Star quilt block! It is not a beginner block but not too difficult either. I saw a couple of tutorials for it that used Half Square Triangles in place of the Flying Geese. I may try doing it that way to see if it is any easier to piece or press. 

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial for a Christmas Star quilt block! If you decide to make it, I'd love to see a picture your project.

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. If you liked this post and want more quilting tutorials like this, simply click HERE and also receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".


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