The Wonky Star block is an easy one to construct in any size. I love star blocks and this one is less tricky than most when it comes time to assemble blocks. Because the points “float”, the intersections are not complicated. And if you combine a few of these blocks with a common background, you can make the other intersections unimportant, too.
I find the block to be perfect for graphic drag-around quilts! Quick assembly makes it a perfect choice for sew-ins and charity sewing.
The block is made using 13 squares of fabric, all the same size. Eight squares are the background, one is the center, four squares make the star points. I usually use the eight background squares from the same fabric, but that’s not required.
The star block is essentially a nine-patch, so if you use 2 1/2″ squares, you will end up with a 6″ block, if you choose 6″ squares, the block will be 16 1/2″ finished. (This presumes you use the standard 1/4″ seam allowance.) I’ve made this block in many sizes, sometimes using charm packs for convenience, sometimes based on a fixed size to use a particular print for the center.
In Wonky Stars with Sue (in the photo above), I had some fabric printed with Sue Spargo’s brightly colored flower designs. Those squares measured an unexpected 7 3/8″ inches, so that’s what I cut all the squares.
In my last post, I promised details for constructing this block. Here they are:
The block overview is: cut four squares in half diagonally to make star points. Position the triangles to cover the lower corners of the square, stitch using a flip and sew method, press, trim, then assemble block as a nine patch. I’ve outlined steps with photos below:
- Cut 13 squares of fabric, all the same size
- 8 background
- 1 center
- 4 star points, cut in half diagonally
2. lay one triangle in position to cover lower left side of square, sew with right sides together, press outward.
3. Repeat with triangle on right side, taking care to be sure that lower corner of background fabric will be covered when the triangle is “flipped”.
4 Press, trimming seams if desired, then trim to original size of square.
5 Four star point squares should look like this.
6 Arrange into nine-patch layout taking care to have star points in the proper position.
7 Assemble in rows, press, then sew rows together.
The table topper I shared in the previous post was made using just two fabrics (one star points and center, the other background). I cut the squares as large as possible based on the fabric I had on hand. In that case, it was 11 1/2″.
And the quilt top in the first photo is a small piece using 2 1/2″ squares. (I actually started with 5″ charm squares. I cut them down because I wanted the star points to be the same fabric, and I only had one charm pack – was away from home, and improvised.