How to Make the Easy Nine Patch Star Quilt Block

Today let's learn how to make this easy traditional block called Nine Patch Star. The beauty of this block is the star that appears when it's made into a quilt! Let's get sewing!

Fabric Requirements for a 10" Finished Nine Patch Star Quilt Block:

• Light/White: 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles, and 5 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Green: 4 - 2.5" squares
• Dark/Pink: 12 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Nine Patch Unit:

Step 1:

Lay out the Medium/Green 2.5" squares and the Light/White 2.5" squares in the typical Nine Patch configuration as shown in the picture below. If you are making multiple blocks, there are other quicker ways to make a Nine Patch block which you can read about in my tutorial for the basic Nine Patch block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-nine-patch-quilt-block

Step 2:

Sew the squares into three rows as shown below.

Step 3:

Press the seam allowances toward the Medium/Green squares as shown in the picture below.

Step 4:

Sew the three rows together as shown.

Step 5:

Press the seam allowances toward the center of the unit as shown in the picture below.

Modified Flying Geese Units:

Step 6:

The only difference between this Modified Flying Geese unit and a basic Flying Geese block is that the rectangle used is longer.

• Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of 8 of the Dark/Pink 2.5" squares.
• Place a Dark/Pink 2.5" square on each end of a Light/White 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle and sew along the marked line. Make sure to keep the the diagonal line going in the correct direction. (Top image)
• Match up the corners of the Dark/Pink 2.5" squares and press. (Second image)
• Trim away the excess seam allowance. (Third image)
• Refold (Bottom image)

Repeat for a total of 4 Modified Flying Geese units. 

Putting It All Together:

Step 7:

Lay out the center Nine Patch unit, the Modified Flying Geese units, and the 4 remaining Dark/Pink 2.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

Step 8:

Sew the units into three rows as shown.

Step 9:

Press the seam allowances away from the Modified Flying Geese units as shown below.

Step 10:

Sew those rows together and...

Step 11:

Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown in the picture below. Easy peasy!

Layout Options:

Here's where this block "shines".

The basic 4 x 4 layout. 

Here's the same basic 4 x 4 layout but the corner squares of the block are made using two different prints. 

In this layout, the Light/White 2.5" squares have been replaced with light blue squares.

Here's a layout using sashing and cornerstones with the basic two-color plus background block. Completely changes the look.

In this sashing and cornerstone example, the Light/White 2.5" squares have been substituted with light blue squares. 

I had to show you what an on point layout looks like. Doesn't even look like the same block!

Conclusion:

The Nine Patch Star was easy and fun to sew together. I also had fun playing around with the different colorings and layouts. I think you could also make this into a scrappy quilt by just making sure there is good contrast around the "stars".