Free Eight Pointed Star Quilt Block Tutorial

Posted by Elaine Huff on

This variation of an Eight Pointed Star quilt block goes together quickly and makes a nice secondary design in a quilt. Lots of star blocks are called Eight Pointed Star - this one could be considered a variation of the Ohio Star block as well. Let's get sewing!

eight pointed star

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Eight Pointed Star Quilt Block:

  • Light/Ivory: 5 - 4.5" squares, 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" squares
  • Medium/Pink: 8 - 2.5" squares
  • Medium/Green: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles

fabric requirements

Sewing Directions:

Flying Geese Units:

Step 1:

Using the Medium/Green 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and Light/Ivory 2.5" squares, sew together four Flying Geese blocks as shown in the picture below. You can find my easy, no-trim method for making Flying Geese blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block

8 pointed star 1

Step 2:

Repeat Step 1 using the Light/Ivory 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and Medium/Pink 2.5" squares as shown below.

8 pointed star step 2

Step 3:

Now match up a Step 2 and a Step 3 Flying Geese and sew together as shown below. Press the seam allowance toward the Ivory/Pink unit.

8 pointed star 3

Step 4:

Repeat Step 3 for a total of four Flying Geese Units. We're now ready to sew the block together.

8 pointed star 4

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Putting It All Together:

Step 5:

Lay out the five Light/Ivory 4.5" squares and the four Flying Geese units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.

8 pointed star 5

Step 6:

Sew the patches together into three rows as shown below.

8 pointed star 6

Step 7:

Press the seam allowances toward the Light/Ivory 4.5" squares as shown in the photo below. Pressing this way helps the block lay nice and flat when completed.

8 pointed star 7

Step 8:

Sew those three rows together to complete the block! So speedy!

8 pointed star 8

Step 9:

All that's left is to press the seam allowances away from the center of the block.

8 pointed star 9

Layout Options:

Here's an example of a basic 4 x 4 layout. I like the diamond shapes that form between the stars and the Light/Ivory squares would be a great place for a little fancy quilting!

quilt 1

In this example, I've added sashing and cornerstones for a different look.

quilt 2

For this example, I alternated the block with a large Half Square Triangle block. I like this design!

quilt 3

Here I've alternated with a chain block done in complementary colors. Looks pretty good.

quilt 8

Now on to some on-point layouts. Here's the basic one. It always amazes me with how an on-point layout can look so different.

quilt 5

For this top, I added narrow sashing, cornerstones, and setting triangles in the Medium/Green color for something a little different.

quilt 6

Conclusion:

While I think this is an easy block to sew together, some would argue with me because of the Flying Geese units. So maybe we call this a confident beginner type block! It does go together fast and I like the various ways it can be laid out for a quilt.

hope you've enjoyed this Eight Pointed Star quilt block tutorial. If you liked this post and want to see more quilting tutorials like this, simply click here to sign up for my newsletter and also receive a free PDF pattern called Chained Weathervane.

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. To purchase a PDF of this block (in 3 sizes) from my Etsy shop, just click on this link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1549473269/eight-pointed-star-quilt-block-pattern

P.P.S. To figure out yardage for a quilt, check out this post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-much-fabric-do-i-need


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