Scrappy Ohio star

Get to know Ohio Star Block

Ohio Star block is a nine patch block made of quarter-square triangles around a square in the center.

Ohio Star block has been around since the early 1800's. Depending on where the quilter was - Ohio Star may be called by many names like Variable Star, Eastern Star and Western Star. This block was popular for pioneer women quilters who used scraps of clothing and other fabric to make warm quilts for their families during the winter months.  

To make a scrappy Ohio Star block, you'll need:

Supplies:

• Simple sewing machine

• Thread

• Cutting mat

• Ruler

• Rotary cutter

• Iron & ironing board

Fabric Requirements:

• (4) 4" squares, one each from 4 different colors (I used white, light blue, medium blue and dark blue in this tutorial)

• (5) 3" squares background (I used scraps in white and low volume)

Make hourglass blocks:

• Gather all of 4" squares, and cut each square diagonally twice to make (4) quarter-triangles

• Pair your quarter-triangles to form an hourglass block. I paired the white triangle (top) with dark blue triangle (right), sew them together and press towards the dark blue triangle. Then sew together the medium blue triangle (left) with light blue triangle (bottom), and press towards the medium blue triangle.

• Sew together the units from the previous step together. the seams should nest perfectly. Press seam open. Repeat and make a total of (4) Hourglass blocks

trim your hourglass blocks:

• We're trimming the unfinished size to 3". First, line up the center of the block with 1.5" mark on your ruler and line up the 3" mark with the seams. 

• Trim the edges that extend beyond your ruler. 

• Rotate the block and trim the other edges. Repeat and trim all of your Hourglass blocks.

Make ohio star block:

• Gather (5) 3" squares of background fabric.

• Row One & Row Three: (1) square + (1) Hourglass block + (1) square, sew them together and press towards the squares. Pay attention to the orientation of the Hourglass block.

• Row Two: (1) Hourglass block + (1) square + (1) Hour glass block, sew together and press towards the center square.

• Sew the rows together, and press open. Your unfinished Ohio Star block should measure 8" x 8".

Optional borders:

Since I'll be making a Scrappy Flag Mini Quilt, I added my borders and make it 10.5" x 10.5" square.

Here’s a little sneak peak at the scrappy Flag mini quilt

If you have been saving your scraps , you will love this quick project that you can finish in a day. It's the perfect addition to Memorial weekend or July 4th decorations, don't you think?  

I decided to go with simple quilting using my walking foot, now I just need to add the binding. 

I hope you have fun making something with Ohio Star blocks.

If you do, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram.

I can’t wait to see what you make!

Until next time,

Sandy