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60 Star Quilt Block Patterns: You'll be starstruck!
Sew long, boring blocks. Hello, stellar designs! 👋💫
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Ah, star quilt patterns. Is there anything more iconic in the quilting world?
Stars are often seen as symbols of hope and guidance, so it's no wonder that they've been a favorite among quilters for centuries.
These classic, traditional quilt blocks are a favorite of ALL quilters, regardless of your style—traditional or modern.
A beginner? An experienced quilter? No matter.
Today is your lucky day because we've created 60 of the best blocks for star designs for you to try.
Get ready to add a touch of celestial beauty to your quilts.
On this page, you'll find:
- Links to all the tutorials and patterns for star blocks on this site
- The basic skills for sewing a star quilt blocks
- Star quilt patterns to sharpen your skills
Choose from our collection of 60 star quilt blocks
These patterns and tutorials have a cutting chart and illustrated instructions to assemble the block. Typically, there are three sizes.
Some include the directions and patterns to download (free, of course!) to paper piece either the whole star or a certain unit within the star.
Other times, the directions are for traditional piecing techniques where the patches are all rotary cut. No templates. No paper piecing.
And every so often, both sets of directions are included with cutting charts for each.
Use the combination that works best, feels best, and gives you the most accurate results. Only you know how you prefer to piece.
Our star blocks are grouped in alphabetical order by their common name. (Alternative names are shared in the tutorials just below the diagram of the block on that page.) The finished sizes offered in the tutorials are below each thumbnail below.
As more star blocks are added they will be listed on this page. Remember to bookmark or PinIt to come back here regularly for updates.
Enjoy!
📌STAR-t your quilting journey here! 🌟
✂️ This stellar collection is sew out of this world, you'll be over the moon! 🌙 Pin this cosmic compilation of star quilt block tutorials to your quilting board and never lose your way in the fabric universe. 🧭🧵
From novice nebulas to supernova stitchers, there's a pattern to make everyone's eyes twinkle. ✨👀 Don't let these star-studded designs fall into a black hole—pin now and you'll always have your quilt-spiration at your fingertips! 📌🚀
The basic skills needed to sew a perfectly pointy star block
What makes a star block a star block?
The points, of course. And knowing the techniques that work best for you, that give you the best results with the most satisfaction while you're stitching...
...well, that's what it's all about isn't it? Making the most out of your free time and spare cash.
On this website, I share many techniques for the single unit because a single method isn't always the best choice depending on the block you're working on.
Below are links to the different units if they're better suited to how you enjoy piecing.
Half Square Triangles
From quick pieced to stitching 8-at-a-time to triangle paper, each is an opportunity to stitch your pointiest of points.
Quarter Square Triangles
Rotary cut and stitch your patches accurately, or cut them generously, stitch and trim to perfection, the choice is yours. Throw in a bit of paper piecing when it's a 3-patch quarter square triangle. The choice is yours.
Acquaint yourself with 3 unique methods here. Another, still, is planned.
Flying Geese
Single Flying Geese units are found in blocks like the Sawtooth and Double Star (drawn on a 10×10 grid). Pairs of Flying Geese are found in blocks like Memory.
Rotary cutting and traditionally pieced, paper piecing (my hands-down favorite!), or using trim-down specialty rulers—so many choices.
Additional methods are shared to make each of these units, too:
Usually, when the units are used in a star block, I include free paper piecing patterns to download. That way, you can try stitching the block without having to purchase an expensive ruler for a one-time use.
Best practices for making star quilt blocks
There are a few things you can do to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of your stitching. Thankfully, all are simple to do and remember.
Select fabric with good contrast
Once you've got sewing pointy points down, selecting background and point fabric with good contrast is essential for dazzling stars.
One of the easiest ways to do this is simply to choose star point fabric whose colors are entirely different from the background fabric.
As you browse all the blocks below, have a look at the difference between the points and backgrounds.
Problem avoided!
Make a sample block
For best results, if a block or technique is new to you, make a sample block to test the cutting instructions. Does the direction you press your seams make a difference if you are setting blocks together, edge-to-edge?
Does the technique feel comfortable to you? For one block? For 25?
Make a note of anything you do that deviates from the directions. You bought the pattern—You CAN write on it.
Then you won't have to remember a thing…even if it's months before you get back to your star block. (Though I wish that wasn't a thing, we both know it is.)
Starch your quilt fabrics before cutting
The more I quilt, the more starching has become an essential part of my workflow.
Especially where there are bias edges involved, starch keeps the edges from stretching out of shape as much as un-starched patches.
Now that you've practiced, find a star quilt pattern to make
Find our favorite star quilt patterns here.
They include both free to download and commercial star patterns. For beginners and beyond.
You'll see star quilts made with the usual suspects: half square triangles, quarter square triangles, and Flying Geese.
Surprisingly, you'll also see blocks with only strips, squares, and rectangles—not a triangle to be seen.
Eeny, Meeny, Miney Mo...
For even MORE blocks to make... 🧩🎨
...visit our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library, with over 230+ blocks to choose from in multiple sizes.
Free downloads are included in all sizes for any blocks require paper piecing patterns or templates.
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By Julie Baird
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