Ribbon Star Quilt Block

From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library

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Skill Level: Beginner

The Ribbon Star quilt block is made quickly and easily using the Connector or Folded Corners technique—there's not a triangle to cut nor a bias edge to sew.

That makes this is an awesome little block for the beginning quilter.

Let's get started with our Ribbon Star block.

General Instructions

If you need help printing this tutorial, you'll find it here.

Seam allowances (SA) are all pressed toward the darker fabric and are all 1/4".

These abbreviations are used in this tutorial:

SA - seam allowance
RST - right sides together

Step 1: Cut the patches for a Ribbon Star

Ribbon Star design

Sample Size: 9" finished / 9½" unfinished

Grid: 9x9

Design Type: Even 9-patch

Two fabrics.

That's all it takes!

The only thing to be concerned with is that there is enough contrast between your fabric choices so that all your piecing is visible, and the points show.

A piece of cake!

			Cutting Chart for a Ribbon Star Quilt Block ~ Traditional Piecing ~
Patch	Fabric	Qty	Finished Block Size
Patch	Fabric	Qty	9"	13 1/2"	18"
1	L	5	1 1/2”sq	2” x 2"	2 1/2”sq
2	D	4	1 1/2”sq	2” x 2"	2 1/2”sq
3	L	4	1 1/2” x 3 1/2”	2” x 5”	2 1/2” x 6 1/2”
4	D	8	1 1/2” x 3 1/2”	2” x 5”	2 1/2” x 6 1/2”
5	L	8	1 1/2”sq	2” x 2"	2 1/2”sq
6	L	4	3 1/2”sq	5”sq	6 1/2”sq
Unfinished Block Size			9 1/2"	14"	18 1/2"
Grid Size			1"	1 1/2"	2"

Step 2: Create the units for a Ribbon Star

Nine Patch

Make 1

With right sides together (RST), sew a #1 to a #2. Press. Repeat for a total of three pairs (below, bottom).

With RST, add a #1 to two pairs and a #2 to the remaining pair, alternating the fabrics so that you have two #1/#2/#1 units (below, left) and one #2/#1/#2 (below, right).

Press and set aside.

Sides

Make 4

Using the Connector Corners method, draw a diagonal line on the backside of all eight #5s. I like to use a mechanical pencil because the line is always fine and never dulls.

Position a marked #5, RST, with the end of a #4. Stitch on the line.

Stitch a #5 to a #4 by sewing on the drawn line.

I prefer an open toe applique foot for this step. There's nothing between my eyes and the drawn line.

Trim away the excess fabric with a scissor, leaving behind a quarter inch SA between the stitching line and where the corner was.

Trim away the excess, leaving behind a quarter inch seam allowance.

Press the SA towards either the light or dark fabric.

This next part is the trickiest part of the whole block—not because it's hard, but because it may look a bit confusing.

Stitch four of these pairs of patches so that the stitching line goes from lower left to upper right and four going from upper left to lower right as shown below.

Double check as you're sewing. It's easy to get one of the #5s flipped around and end up with 3 diagonals going in one direction and 5 in the other. (Hate that!)

These are the finished #4/#5s.

The finished #4/#5 after the SA are trimmed and pressed.

Next, arrange two #4/#5 with a #3 so that the angle slants down toward the #3 in the middle (below, left).

With RST, stitch one #4/#5 to the #3 (below, right). Press.

Add the second #4/#5 to the opposite side in the same manner. Press.

Step 3: Assemble the Ribbon Star quilt block

Arrange the cut and sewn patches as show below with the points radiating out from the center.

Stitch the units in each row together. The SA between the side units and the center nine-patch will nest. Use pins if needed to insure a good match.

To complete our Ribbon Star, sew the rows together. Again, pin if it helps you keep the SA aligned.

Our Ribbon Star quilt block is complete!

Free Pattern Alert

If you liked this quilt block, take a look at the free quilt pattern that uses it called (surprisingly!) 'Ribbons' by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

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