How to Make the Traditional Columbian Star Quilt Block - a Free Tutorial

Today let's learn how to piece this beautiful Columbian Star quilt block. The block was first published by the Ladies Art Company - a company that was formed in 1889 and was the first to publish a catalog of quilt patterns with names. So that makes this star block a classic!

I decided to make this tutorial for an 18" block so that I wasn't sewing with really small pieces. Plus, it means you don't have to make so many blocks to make a quilt! There are a lot of pieces but the block is easier to put together than it looks.

Fabric Requirements for an 18" Finished Columbian Star Quilt Block:

• Light/Cream: 4 - 4.5" squares, 8 - 3.5" squares, 8 - 2.5" squares, 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
• Dark/Blue: 1 - 6.5" square, 8 - 3.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 20 - 2.5" squares
• The block uses approximately 3/8 yard of each color

Sewing Directions:

Small Diagonal Stripe Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/Cream 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 16 of the Dark/Blue 2.5" squares, we'll basically be making modified Flying Geese units - the position of the squares is the only difference. 

• Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of two Dark/Blue 2.5" square.
• Sew one of the Dark/Blue square to the Light/Cream rectangle along the marked line (top image). Be sure to have the same orientation as in the picture.
• Match up the corners of the squares and press (second image).
• Trim away the excess seam allowances (third image).
• Refold the piece (bottom image).

Step 2:

Repeat Step 1 on the opposite corner of the unit for a total of four units as shown in the picture below.

Step 3:

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 only sew the Dark/Blue 2.5" squares so that the light stripe runs the other direction as shown below.

Step 4:

Here you can see all eight of the units.

Larger Diagonal Stripe Units:

Step 5:

Using the Light/Cream 3.5" squares, Light/Cream 2.5" squares, and the Dark/Blue 3.5" x 4.5" rectangles sew together the larger Diagonal Strip unit. This unit is very similar to the previous units except that we'll be using two different sized squares.

• Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of a Light/Cream 3.5" square and a Light/Cream 2.5" square.
• Sew one of the Light/Cream 3.5" square to the Dark/Blue rectangle along the marked line (top image). Be sure to have the same orientation as in the picture.
• Because I hate to waste fabric, I sewed another seam about half an inch away from the first stitching. This will create a bonus Half Square Triangle that can be used in another project.
• Match up the corners of the squares and press (second image).
• Cut in between the two stitching lines (third image).
• Refold the piece (bottom image).

Step 6:

Here you can see the bonus Half Square Triangles. These will trim up to 2.5" square.

Step 7:

Repeat Step 5 on the opposite corner of the unit using a Light/Cream 2.5" square as shown in the picture below. (I didn't make bonus Half Square Triangles with this step as they turn out way too small.)

Repeat for a total of four units as shown below.

Step 8:

Repeat Steps 5 and 7 only sew the Light/Cream squares so that the blue stripe runs the other direction as shown below.

Step 9:

Here you can see the eight units and the stripe orientation.

Corner Units:

Step 10:

Lay out a Light/Cream 4.5" square, two small Diagonal Stripe units (one of each direction), and a Dark/Blue 2.5" square as shown in the picture below.

Step 11:

Sew the patches into two rows together and press the seam allowances away from the Diagonal Stripe units as shown in the picture below.

Step 12:

Sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance toward the Light/Cream square. Repeat Steps 10 through 12 for a total of four Corner units as shown below.

Middle Units:

Step 13:

Lay out two of the larger Diagonal Stripe units (one of each direction) as shown in the picture below.

Step 14:

Stitch the units together and press the seam allowance open as shown below. 

Step 15:

Lay out the Step 14 unit with a Light/Cream 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle as shown below.

Step 16:

Sew the two patches together and press the seam allowance toward the Light/Cream rectangle as shown in the picture below.

Step 17:

Repeat Steps 13 through 16 for a total of four Middle units:

Putting It All Together (Finally!):

Step 18:

Lay out the four Corner units, the four Middle units, and the Dark/Blue 6.5" square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a typical Nine Patch block.

Step 19:

Sew the units into three rows as shown.

Step 20:

Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown below.

Step 21:

Sew the three rows together and...

Step 22:

Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block. You're done! 

Layout Options:

Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout:

Here it is with a little color variation in case you don't want to make a two-color quilt:

And a little more color:

This would be a nice Fourth of July quilt:

In this example I've added blue sashing and cream cornerstones.

Here's a basic on-point layout:

And an on-point with sashing and cornerstones:

I had to try a scrappy layout. I think the design kind of gets lost.

Conclusion:

I generally shy away from only using two colors in a block but the Columbian Star really shines as a two-color quilt! There were a lot of seams but each individual unit wasn't hard to sew together. Not all my seams matched up but from three feet away, they weren't noticeable so I'm okay with that. 

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. To see other star blocks, check out the roundup post at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/30-of-the-best-star-quilt-block-patterns