SeeMyQuiltMartha Washington Star quilt block
A Sawtooth Star whose center is a pinwheel set on point, with four corner triangles in the star fabric.
Cutting chart by block size
8" Martha Washington Star (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 3 1/4" × 3 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 3 1/4" × 3 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
12" Martha Washington Star (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 7 1/4" × 7 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 7 1/4" × 7 1/4" | 2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 4 1/4" × 4 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 4 1/4" × 4 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
16" Martha Washington Star (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 9 1/4" × 9 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 2 squares | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 9 1/4" × 9 1/4" | 2 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 2 squares | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
How to make a 16" Martha Washington Star block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut twice" on both diagonals. Each gives four triangles with the long edge on the straight grain: these are the large triangles in flying geese and hourglass units.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 8 × 8 grid, and each cell finishes at 2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 16 1/2" now and 16" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Martha Washington Star quilt (16" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 38" × 54" | 7/8 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 1/4 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 3 (9) | 54" × 54" | 1 3/8 yd | 2 yd | 3/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Throw | 3 × 4 (12) | 54" × 70" | 1 3/8 yd | 2 1/4 yd | 3/8 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 4 1/2 yd |
| Twin | 4 × 6 (24) | 70" × 102" | 2 5/8 yd | 3 3/4 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 6 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 102" × 102" | 4 yd | 5 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 6 × 6 (36) | 102" × 102" | 4 yd | 5 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 16" Martha Washington Star blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 12 | 54" × 70" | – |
| With sashing | 12 | 58" × 76" | Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 6 pieced + 6 plain | 54" × 70" | Plain blocks 1 5/8 yd |
| On point | 8 | 51 3/8" × 74" | Setting triangles 1 7/8 yd |
See Martha Washington Star in your own fabrics
1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Martha Washington Star block need?
Three: main, background and accent. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.
What size pieces do I cut for a 16 inch Martha Washington Star?
1 main square at 9 1/4" × 9 1/4"; 2 main squares at 4 7/8" × 4 7/8"; 1 background square at 9 1/4" × 9 1/4"; 1 background square at 5 1/4" × 5 1/4"; 2 background squares at 4 7/8" × 4 7/8"; 4 background squares at 4 1/2" × 4 1/2"; 1 accent square at 5 1/4" × 5 1/4".
How many Martha Washington Star blocks for a lap quilt?
9 blocks at 16", set 3 by 3 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 54" quilt.
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