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Stars · Intermediate

Ohio Star quilt block

An eight-point star built from hourglass units around a center square.

Ohio Star: main, background and accent. A 3 × 3 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Ohio Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 1/4" × 3 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares3 1/4" × 3 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

9" Ohio Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares4 1/4" × 4 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares4 1/4" × 4 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Accent1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

12" Ohio Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares5 1/4" × 5 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares5 1/4" × 5 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background4 squares4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–
Accent1 square4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–

15" Ohio Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares6 1/4" × 6 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares6 1/4" × 6 1/4"8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background4 squares5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–
Accent1 square5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Ohio Star block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. 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.
  3. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 3 × 3 grid, and each cell finishes at 5". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  4. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Ohio Star quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"1/2 yd1 1/8 yd1/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"7/8 yd2 yd3/8 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"1 1/4 yd2 7/8 yd5/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"1 5/8 yd4 yd3/4 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"2 3/8 yd5 7/8 yd1 1/8 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"3 1/4 yd8 yd1 1/4 yd2 1/8 yd10 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 15" Ohio Star blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1666" × 66"–
With sashing1255" × 72"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks8 pieced + 8 plain66" × 66"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1369 3/4" × 69 3/4"Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

See Ohio 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

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a Ohio 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 15 inch Ohio Star?

2 main squares at 6 1/4" × 6 1/4"; 2 background squares at 6 1/4" × 6 1/4"; 4 background squares at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 1 accent square at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2".

How many Ohio Star blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

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