Stars
Ohio Star
9-patch with quarter-square-triangle (QST) units in the cardinals. Each QST cell is split by both diagonals into four triangles meeting at the cell center; the two triangles aligned with the radial axis carry the star color, forming an hourglass that produces the Ohio Star's distinctive points.
Cut list
Dimensions for a 12 inch finished block with a standard 1/4 inch seam allowance. Scale proportionally for other finished sizes.
| Region | Role | Pieces | Cut size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center | Feature | 1 | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" |
| Top Left Corner | Background | 1 | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" |
| Top Right Corner | Background | 1 | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" |
| Bottom Left Corner | Background | 1 | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" |
| Bottom Right Corner | Background | 1 | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" |
| Top Star Point (outer) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Top Background (right) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Top Star Point (inner) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Top Background (left) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Right Background (top) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Right Star Point (outer) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Right Background (bottom) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Right Star Point (inner) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Bottom Star Point (inner) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Bottom Background (right) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Bottom Star Point (outer) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Bottom Background (left) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Left Background (top) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Left Star Point (inner) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Left Background (bottom) | Background | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
| Left Star Point (outer) | Accent | 1 | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" |
How it goes together
- Step 1
Cut your pieces
Cut each region using the dimensions in the cut table for a 12 inch finished Ohio Star block. Standard 1/4 inch seam allowance is included.
- Step 2
Sew sub-units
Sew the smallest units first (half-square triangles, flying geese, four-patches), then build outward.
- Step 3
Assemble the block
Join the sub-units into rows or columns, then join the rows. Press as you go. Square the finished block to size.
Read more
Color value vs hue in quilts
Value is how light or dark a color is. Hue is what we usually call “the color itself.” In quilts, value carries the design — hue carries the mood.
5 min read
Quilt block families, explained
Most quilt blocks belong to one of six families — Patchwork, Half-square triangles, Flying geese, Stars, Curves, and Hexagons. Each family is a way of piecing fabric together.
6 min read
The quilter’s seam allowance, explained
A seam allowance is the strip of fabric between the seam and the raw edge. Quilters work in a standard 1/4 inch — and getting it right is the difference between a top that finishes flat and one that fights you.
5 min read
Try the Ohio Star on a real layout.
Open it on the Design Wall. Try a few colors, see the math, change your mind.