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Stars · Confident beginner

Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center quilt block

A Sawtooth Star with a four patch in place of the plain center square. Also called Four Patch Star.

Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center: main, background and accent. A 4 × 4 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square4 1/4" × 4 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background6 squares2" × 2"–
Accent2 squares2" × 2"–

8" Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square5 1/4" × 5 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background6 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent2 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

10" Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square6 1/4" × 6 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background6 squares3" × 3"–
Accent2 squares3" × 3"–

12" Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square7 1/4" × 7 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background6 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Accent2 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

How to make a 12" Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center 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. 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.
  4. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  5. Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center quilt (12" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby3 × 4 (12)42" × 54"5/8 yd1 3/8 yd1/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap4 × 5 (20)54" × 66"1 yd2 yd1/2 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw5 × 6 (30)66" × 78"1 1/2 yd3 yd5/8 yd1 3/8 yd5 yd
Twin6 × 8 (48)78" × 102"2 3/8 yd4 7/8 yd7/8 yd1 3/4 yd9 1/4 yd
Queen8 × 8 (64)102" × 102"3 1/8 yd6 3/8 yd1 1/4 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd
King9 × 9 (81)114" × 114"4 yd8 1/4 yd1 1/2 yd2 1/8 yd10 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 12" Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side3066" × 78"–
With sashing2060" × 74"Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks15 pieced + 15 plain66" × 78"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1857" × 74"Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd

See Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center 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 Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center 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 12 inch Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center?

4 main squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 1 background square at 7 1/4" × 7 1/4"; 6 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 accent squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2".

How many Sawtooth Star with Four-Patch Center blocks for a lap quilt?

20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.

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