How To Make An Ohio Star Quilt Block: A Step By Step Tutorial

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ByCaroline Fairbanks-Critchfield Updated on

The Ohio Star quilt block is one of the most popular and frequently used blocks in quilting. This free Ohio Star Quilt Block pattern uses a shortcut method for the quarter square triangle units. I will show you how to make this fun block with just 9 squares of fabric – you won’t have to cut any triangles.

This free quilt block pattern shares how to sew an Ohio Star block that finishes at 12”. This particular quilt block uses 4 different fabrics because it’s part of my Kitchen Sink Quiltalong Quilt (see more info below).

I have seen Ohio Star blocks with just 2 or 3 fabrics as well, so feel free to get creative with your quilt design if you don’t want to use 4 fabrics as I did.

This is such a versatile block that you can sew a quilt with it using scraps or fat quarters. Last week I released a free pattern for a twin size Ohio Star Quilt that uses just 7 fat quarters plus some background fabric. Don’t miss it!

These easy instructions will show you how to sew one 12” Ohio Star Quilt block.

How to download the Ohio Star block pattern as a free printable PDF file.

Enter your email address below to download the free Ohio Star quilt block pattern (which is pages 13-14 of the Kitchen Sink Quiltalong Quilt Pattern).

Then check your inbox for a link to download the free PDF file. It may take 5-10 minutes to arrive. If you do not see the email with a download link in your main inbox, please check your junk folder in case it went there.

By entering your email address you are signing up for my SewCanShe newsletter. That way you won’t miss any of our block patterns! If you already read my newsletter – thanks so much! You will still receive an email with a link to download the file. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of any email.

There are 8 Ohio Star blocks in our Kitchen Sink Quiltalong Quilt, so the cutting instructions in the PDF are for 8 blocks. The instructions found in this blog post below are for only one block. Of course, you can easily adapt the technique and sew as many blocks as you like!

Instructions for sewing a 12” (finished size) Ohio Star Block

Finished block size: 12’’ x 12’’ (it is 12 1/2’’ x 12 1/2’’ before you sew it in a quilt).

You will need:

  • 4 different colors or prints of fabric (I used light gray, coral, turquoise and navy blue)
  • a fabric marking pen or pencil
  • a rotary cutter acrylic ruler, and mat
  • sewing machine
  • thread (I suggest thread matching the light gray background fabric)
  • ironing board and iron

Cutting:

Navy Blue:

  • cut 2 squares 5 1/2” x 5 1/2”

Turquoise:

  • cut 1 square 5 1/2” x 5 1/2”

Coral (for the block center):

  • cut 1 square 4 1/2” x 4 1/2”

Light Gray (or other background fabric):

  • cut 1 square 5 1/2” x 5 1/2”
  • cut 4 squares 4 1/2 x 4 1/2

Ohio Star Quilt Block Tutorial:

Make 4 Half Square Triangle Units first

You will only use 5 1/2” square pieces to make the HST units. Use a scant 1/4’’ seam allowance and a short stitch length such as 1.5-2.

1. Place the 5 1/2’’ x 5 1/2’’ light gray background fabric square right sides together with one of the navy blue squares. Use a pencil or fabric pen to draw a diagonal line across the top square. This is a cutting line. Pin the squares together.

2. Sew a scant 1/4’’ away from the cutting line on on both sides of the drawn line.

3. Cut the pieces in half diagonally along the line. 

4. Open and press the seams toward the darker fabric.

5. Repeat with the remaining two 5 1/2” squares to make 2 more half square triangle units.

Use the Half Square Triangles to Make 4 Quarter Square Triangle Units

1. Place one of each of the two different half square triangles right sides together with the seams aligned and the matching navy fabrics on opposite sides. Draw a diagonal line that crosses over the seam on the top HST. This is a cutting line. Pin the HST units together.

2. Sew 1/4’’ away from the cutting line on on both sides of the line.

3. Cut the piece in half diagonally along the line.

4. Open and press the quarter square triangle (QST) units. Trim each unit to 4 1/2’’ square. Repeat with the remaining HST’s to make 2 more quarter square triangles.

Sew the 9 Patch Ohio Star block together

1. Arrange 4 quarter square triangle units together with the 4 1/2” coral colored center square and four 4 1/2’’ x 4 1/2’’ light gray background fabric squares as shown. Sew together in 3 rows. Sew the rows together to make the Ohio Star Block.

2. Trim the block to 12 1/2’’ square, if desired.

Tip: I love my 12 1/2” square ruler for squaring up blocks this size.

If you are sewing our Kitchen Sink Block of the Month Quiltalong Quilt, you’ll need to make 8 Flying Geese Blocks. Make sure you enter your email address in the field above to get the free PDF download that is pages 13-14 of the pattern.

This is Block #8 in our Kitchen Sink Quiltalong

Get ready to sew all your favorite quilt blocks this year! This is the year that we are going to sew everything but the kitchen sink in our Kitchen Sink 2022 Quiltalong.

This bold graphic quilt is perfect for learning new quilt making skills that build on one another, or for putting skills you already have into a big beautiful quilt.

Tips: As you work block by block on your kitchen sink quilt, save your scraps because you will be able to use them for future blocks.

These awesome scrapbooking bins are perfect for keeping your finished blocks safe until it’s time to sew them together into a quilt top.

Here are the 10 free quilt block patterns in the Kitchen Sink Quiltalong:

Don’t miss all my other free quilt patterns, too!

xoxo,

Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂

Caroline Fairbanks-Critchfield is an author and publisher who is passionate about the world of sewing and quilting. You can find her work in books, sewing patterns, magazines, and articles all over the web. She founded and publishes her ideas on the popular sewing website SewCanShe.com.