Today, we’re making a 12″ block- I designed it as a Christmas block, but obviously it’s something you could use anytime! This block is named One Special Star, named for the special Star that led the shepherds to Bethlehem on that special Night of Nights. With this block, you could make quilts like this (these were designed in EQ7– so much fun to play with block, fabric and color placement!):
Let’s get started!
You will need Dark Blue, Light Blue, and Cream fabrics. All seam allowances are 1/4″, sew with fabrics right sides together. Instructions below will yield one 12″ (12 1/2″ unfinished) block.
Cutting Instructions:
Dark Blue:
- 4 squares, each 3 1/2″
- 4 rectangles, each 3 1/2 x 6 1/2″
Light Blue
- 2 squares, each 3 7/8″
- 4 squares, each 3 1/2″
Cream
- 2 squares, each 3 7/8″
- 4 squares, each 3 1/2″
To Make the Block:
First grab your large (3 7/8″) Light Blue and Cream Squares
Place a Light Blue Square right sides together with a Cream Square. Draw a line diagonally down the center of the square (on the wrong side of the fabric), then draw a line 1/4″ from the center line. I find that a clear ruler makes this super easy to do.
Pin the squares together. Sew on the side lines:
Cut on the center line:
Press the squares open:
Sew the squares into pairs so they look like this:
Then sew the pairs together to make the pinwheel center for the block:
Make the Flying Geese units- Get your small (3 1/2″) Light Blue and Cream squares and draw a line down the center of each diagonally (on the wrong side of the fabric):
Place a Cream square right sides together on the left side of the Dark Blue rectangle. Pin and stitch on the line:
Fold over the triangle to make sure it’s lined up properly:
Then trim off the extra fabric to leave a 1/4″ seam allowance:
Then press:
Sew Light Blue square to right side of rectangle in same way:
Make 4 flying geese units:
Sew 2 of the flying geese units to opposite sides of the pinwheel square:
Sew a Dark Blue square (3 1/2″) to opposite ends of the 2 remaining flying geese units, and then sew onto block:
Click here for a printable PDF of this tutorial.
Thank you for sharing the tutorial for this beautiful block and the ideas for quilts. Happy Holidays!
Your block is lovely, Jacquelynne. Thanks for the tutorial.
How nice is this! Thank you so much-I’m going to try this star pattern tonight. Hapy holidays to you!
Thank you, this is a beautiful block and the colors and theme, I love.
Thanks so much for the tutorial…love the block! Happy Holidays to you and yours :)
I love this block, thanks for the tutorial. I think I’ll start this after the holidays. Merry Christmas.
You are such a great person! Thanks for all the help you bring us! Lov this site. Hope you have a great holiday with your family, and daughter!!! Take care
Thank you for this block, it looks great all the different ways to put it together.
Jean
Thank you, Jacquelynne, for sharing this pattern and the very clear tutorials. I can see many possibilities by mixing a variety of fabrics. I look forward to using this pattern more than once.
Thank you for the block. It is beautiful.
Amazing how different each quilt looks with the same three fabrics sewn in alternate ways and the addition of an extra fabric. Also wanted to thank you for the Christmas Emag and our lovely Christmas Red and White quilt. Christmas blessings.
Thank you! Love your star, and the fabrics you used. That middle setting gave me a headache, though. LOL I will probably make it like the first one.
I love how you give us so many colorways!! Merry Christmas to you and your family and I look forward to starting the new year with your lovely squares!
Thanks so much foe the star pattern .
LOVE YOUR SITE —– EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL !
THANKS FOR POSTING THOSE EASY DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING AN ‘OHIO STAR’ !!! DONNA
Thank you for your patterns.
Absolutely love your Tera to
Thank you for your site, love all your patterns …..
How do I get the yardage necessary to make one of these quilts? I am a beginner.
Hi Laurie- The quilts shown are to give you some ideas of what can be done with the block, I have not written out the instructions. If you can go to a local quilt shop, they are an excellent resource for questions about fabric.
I just cone across your tutorials and they are excellent. I am looking for measurments to make a diamond in a square for a block 6 1/2 to finish 6 in. I can not find a tutorial do you have one
Hi Kathryn, is this the kind of block you mean? https://jacquelynnesteves.com/square-in-a-square-block-tutorial/
Thank you! I’m going to try using this pattern to make Christmas Mug Rugs!
Thanks for the beautiful block. Thinking of using it for a barn block.
Thanks for the block and especially for your explanation for the block! Yes it was the star that led the shepards to find Jesus in a manager, we can find Him in our hearts, He’s just waiting for an invitation! (I want to use this block in a Valentine tablerunner!)
TY for including a Pdf version of this tutorial. Many times I do a copy and paste to WORD.
Thank you so much, I love this pattern and want to do this.
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