The Ohio Star Quilt block has been around since the early 1800’s and is also known as the Variable Star, Eastern Star and Western Star Block.
It was a popular block amongst pioneer quilters because it was an easy introduction to making quarter square triangles and it allowed the quilter to use lots of scraps to create an attractive and unique block. This simple pattern is still popular with quilter’s today.
A whole quilt made of Ohio Star Blocks can be a very attractive piece.
Ohio Star Quilt Blocks History
The Ohio Star quilt block is thought to have originated in the Civil War and may honor abolitionist families from the Ohio area, although its exact history is hard to trade.
This classic block appeared frequently in Depression era and post-Depression quilts of the 1930s and was a popular pattern among Scottish and Irish immigrants and Amish Quilters.
Ohio Star Quilt Block Materials
- White fabric
- Five 4 ½” blocks
- One 6 ¼” block
- Dark fabric
- One 6 ¼” block
- Medium fabric
- Two 6 ¼” blocks
Ohio Star Block: Step by Step Tutorial
Step 1
Place one medium 6 ¼” block and one dark 6 ¼” square right sides together. Draw a line down the diagonal. Stitch ¼” on either side of the diagonal. Cut on the drawn diagonal line. Press the seam to the medium value fabric side.
Step 2: Making Half Square Triangles
Place one medium 6 ¼” and one white 6 ¼” square right sides together. Draw a line down the diagonal. Stitch ¼” on either side of the diagonal. Cut on the drawn diagonal line. Press the seam to the medium value fabric side.
Step 3: Making Quarter Square Triangles
Take each of those HST squares and cut it diagonally in the opposite direction of the sewn seam (like an x)
Step 4
Open these units and press flat. Lay the ruler on top of a unit, with a straight line of the ruler on the straight line of the sewn unit. Straighten the unit along the long edge, if needed (taking off just a smidgen)
Place these units right sides together with the medium fabric on opposite sides. Nest the seams and sew together to form an hourglass block Press the blocks open, spinning the seams on the backside. Trim these blocks to 4 ½”.
Step
Arrange the blocks as shown in the diagram, alternating the white blocks with the pieced blocks. Trim the finished block to 12.5”