Star quilt blocks are easily some of the most recognizable block patterns that quilters encounter but as experienced quilters know, there are a plethora of different star patterns to choose from. If you’re new to quilting and have difficulty keeping your sawtooth stars from your wonky stars, then you’ll love our handy guide to star blocks. This beginner friendly quilting guide covers basic stars that all quilters know and love to more specific patterns for those quilters who love a challenge. Choose your favorite star below and start creating a constellation of beautifully quilted stars for your next project!
Sawtooth Stars
Perhaps the most classic star block on this list is this traditional 8-point star block. The sawtooth star block features 8 points with a solid block as its center, making it great for showing off prints and fussy cutting. These blocks are made using flying geese units (click here to learn how to make flying geese blocks), making them simple blocks that beginner quilters can easily complete. There are many variations of the sawtooth star, including pinwheel stars (featuring a pinwheel at the center instead of a solid square), so feel free to experiment with putting your own twist on this classic block.
Lone Stars
At the opposite end of the spectrum are lone star blocks. Also featuring eight points, lone star blocks are much more detailed than other stars and are not recommended for quilting beginners. Lone stars feature diamond-shaped pieces and are great for fat quarters, as their design allows them to show off collections of fabric. These intricate star blocks are often fairly large and the focal point of the quilt, so if you’ve been saving up your precuts for the perfect occasion, try making your own lone star quilt.
Carpenter Stars
Similar to sawtooth stars, carpenter stars feature an 8-point design but are commonly made up entirely of half square triangles (HSTs), although flying geese units can also be included. These stars often feature a pinwheel at their center. Some carpenter stars also feature diamonds and more intricate borders at the edge of the star, referred to as a carpenter’s wheel. These blocks are sometimes referred to as Star of Bethlehem blocks, although that definition can vary.
Friendship Stars
Perhaps the most beginner-friendly star block on this list, friendship stars are 4-point stars that feature a solid block at their center and are comprised of a nine patch block. The points of these stars are made of HSTs and are great for scrap quilting. Friendship stars are a popular quilt block that are often used when making Quilts of Valor. You can learn how to make a simple friendship star quilt block here!
Ohio Stars
A classic star that is made using quarter square units, this block pattern has a long history but first rose to popularity during the 1930s in America. The Ohio Star has its roots in the Civil War era, with ties to anti-slavery efforts in Ohio during that time. These stars typically use two to four different types of fabric for their design.
Morning Star – Evening Stars
Morning star – evening star blocks are presented as a duo of stars combined into a single block, although variations do exist for each separate type of star. This star-within-a-star block features two 8-point stars, the smaller one nestled within a larger star. Morning star quilts also have close ties to Native American culture; these morning star blocks more closely resemble lone star blocks (sometimes also referred to as Star of Bethlehem blocks).
Pinwheel Stars
Similar to the pinwheel blocks they take their name from, these stars are formed using HSTs in bold, contrasting colors. They feature a central pinwheel design at the center of the block, with points of the star radiating out. There are numerous ways to create your pinwheel star, making this block perfect for customizing to your personal taste.
Wonky Stars
These quilter favorite stars are great for scrap quilting and feature points that vary in size around a central block. Wonky star blocks are bursting with personality and can be combined with other traditional quilt patterns (such as the Irish chain) to create a truly one-of-a-kind quilt. Feel free to experiment with wonky stars in different sizes to create a gorgeous, customized quilt.
Honeycomb Stars
One of the most visually striking star blocks on this list, the honeycomb star (also known as a hexagon star) features a 6-point star with a hexagon central block. This star is named for its honeycomb-like illusion when pieced together in a quilt and its unique shape makes it great for playing with color and showing off fun prints. If you’re ready to experiment with quilting beyond HSTs, give this star block pattern a try.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our journey through the galaxy of star quilt patterns. This is just a quick tour, as star blocks exist in hundreds of variations and names, each with a unique and captivating backstory. What are your favorite star patterns? What star blocks would you recommend for beginner quilters? Let us know below in the comments!