• Home
  • Blog Posts
  • Gallery
    • 2022 Quilts
    • 2021 Quilts
    • 2020 Quilts
    • 2019 Quilts
    • 2018 Quilts
    • 2017 Quilts
    • 2016 Quilts
    • 2015 Quilts
    • 2014 quilts
  • Free Resource Library
  • Sunday Meditation
  • Technical Editing
  • Pattern Testing
  • About Me
  • Home
  • Blog Posts
  • Gallery
  • Free Resource Library
  • Technical Editing
  • Pattern Testing
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sunday Meditation
  • Terms and Conditions
  • About Me

Patchwork Sampler

Make quilts. Use fabric. Have fun.

quilting · May 19, 2023

How to Make Variable Star Blocks from Charm Squares

Sadly, I have no Friday Finish this week. I did a fair amount of sewing but did not make it to the finish line with anything. That will definitely be corrected next week!!

I did a fair amount of quilting this week and my mind wanders when I machine quilt. I’m sure that is a contributing factor as to why I am not a good quilter. Haha! Sometimes, though, I have a thought that leads me down another rabbit hole. I thought about making variable stars from charm packs.

Remember this little table mat from last week? This is what started it. I happened to think that the pattern is probably available for free on Moda’s website. Sure enough, it is so download the pattern if you would like to make it. There are variations to make a wall hanging or table runner. The link is here.

Of course, this pattern works with any charm pack or five-inch squares you have available. Using cupcake papers to make them is one method to make scrappy variable stars from charm packs, but read on for step-by-step directions to make the same block without the papers. I will show you two different methods; one using specialty rulers and one without.

Cutting the Charm Squares with a Triangle Ruler

For this method, you will need a 90-degree triangle ruler such as the Easy Angle, Omnigrid Right Triangle, Fons & Porter Flying Geese Ruler, or Essential Triangle Tool. If you are not familiar with these rulers, be sure to read the instructions that came with your ruler. They all work basically the same, but there are little differences between each ruler. 

First, cut two 2″ strips from each charm. I cut a sliver off one side to get rid of the pinked edge.

Next, cut one 2″ square from each strip. Again, I cut off the pinked edge before cutting the square.

Use a 90-degree triangle ruler such as the Easy Angle, Omnigrid Right Triangle, Fons & Porter Flying Geese Ruler, or Essential Triangle Tool to cut two half-square triangles from the remainder of each strip.

Each charm square yields two 2″ squares and four half-square triangles so you need two charms for each variable star block.

Cutting the Charm Square with Standard Rulers

Start by cutting a sliver off the edge to get rid of the pinked edge. Then cut one 2″ strip and one 2⅜” strip from each charm square.

From the 2″ strip, cut two 2″ squares.

From the 2⅜” strip, cut two 2⅜” squares. 

Then cut each 2-3/8″ square once on the diagonal to yield four half-square triangles.

Cutting the background fabric

From the background fabric, you need four 2″ squares for the corners and four quarter-square triangles for the flying geese to make one variable star block.

You can cut the triangles from a 2″ strip if you have a specialty ruler such as Essential Triangle Tool, Fons & Porter Flying Geese ruler, Companion Angle, or Omnigrid 98.

If you don’t have a specialty ruler, cut one 4¼” square.

Then cut the square on the diagonal twice.

Sewing the block

Using two print triangles and a background triangle, make flying geese unit. You need four flying geese for each block.

Using four print squares, make a four-patch for the center.

Lay out the units as shown and sew them into rows.

Then, just sew the rows together.

After all this, would I cut five-inch squares just to make these blocks? Probably not. There are more efficient ways to piece these scrappy blocks, but I sure love them as a creative use for charm squares.

I have a plan for all my little variable star blocks. Can’t wait to show you!!

 

Related Posts:

  • Friday Finish: Portsmouth Choose Your Own Adventure Quilt
    Friday Finish: Portsmouth Choose Your Own Adventure Quilt
  • Friday Finish: Boho Quilt and Sister Bay Table Mat
    Friday Finish: Boho Quilt and Sister Bay Table Mat
  • To Do Week of 2-15
    Motivation Monday: Perfectionism Steals Your Joy
  • Liberty Table Runner
    Liberty Table Runner
  • Priorities quote
    Monday Motivation: Shifting Priorities
  • August Charm Square Challenge
    August Charm Square Challenge

In: quilting · Tagged: charm quilt, portsmouth fabric, scrappy stars, variable star

You’ll Also Love

August Challenge: Disappearing Nine Patch
The Neighborhood quiltFriday Finish: The Neighborhood Quilt
Pinwheel Baby Quilt: Week 10 Friday Finish

Comments

  1. Stephanie Sinden says

    May 20, 2023 at 5:25 am

    I love how you’ve made the block with no waste! Stitch and flip corners are fast, but I hate the waste. I have a few of those specialty rulers and need to use them more!

Next Post >

Friday Finish: Boho Quilt and Sister Bay Table Mat

Recent Posts

  • Motivation Monday: The Humility Block
  • September Challenge: Jelly Roll Quilts
  • August Challenge: Disappearing Nine Patch
  • August Charm Square Challenge
  • Friday Finish: Portsmouth Choose Your Own Adventure Quilt
Do you like scrap quilts? If so, the Celebrate Qui Do you like scrap quilts? If so, the Celebrate Quilt will be a favorite. It's just one block with a few filler units each month. This is block 6 of 12. Did I mention the patterns are FREE? Just click the link in bio to find out how to get them.

#thecelebratequilt #patchworksampler #scrapquilt #blockofthemonth #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram
This is the fifth chunk of the Celebrate Quilt. Yo This is the fifth chunk of the Celebrate Quilt. You will celebrate cleaning out those scrap bins when you make this quilt!

#thecelebratequilt #patchworksampler #scrapquilt #blockofthemonth #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram
Do you have bins of little scraps? Use them in the Do you have bins of little scraps? Use them in the super scrappy Celebrate quilt. It's a free chunk of the month. Follow the link in bio to get the patterns.

#thecelebratequilt #patchworksampler #scrapquilt #blockofthemonth #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram
Here is a look at block 3 of the Celebrate quilt. Here is a look at block 3 of the Celebrate quilt. It is a great way to use your smallest scraps. Check out the link in bio to see how you can get the free patterns!

#thecelebratequilt #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram #patchworksampler #freequiltpattern #freeblockofthemonth
Are you making the Celebrate quilt? It is a 12 mon Are you making the Celebrate quilt? It is a 12 month FREE chunk of the month that started in March. Sign up for my newsletter for access to patterns in the Free Resource Library. Just click the link in bio. 
#thecelebratequilt #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram
Block 1 of The Celebrate Quilt block of the month Block 1 of The Celebrate Quilt block of the month is here!

It's fun, it's free, and it's a great way to use scraps and stash. Sign up at the link in bio.

#thecelebratequilt #patchworksampler #blockofthemonth
What are you celebrating today? Why not celebrate What are you celebrating today? Why not celebrate using fabric, making a quilt, and having fun. The Celebrate Quilt block of the month starts today! 

Each month receive instructions to make a chunk of this quilt...a 12" block plus little filler units. It's a great way to use scraps and stash and it's FREE!

Sign up at the link in bio.

#thecelebratequilt #patchworksampler #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram #scrapquilt
Week 3 of the Origins Quilt Along. These bright bl Week 3 of the Origins Quilt Along. These bright blocks make me long for spring!

#originsqal @liftinglimitsquilting #patchworksampler
First three blocks of the Origins Quilt Along comp First three blocks of the Origins Quilt Along completed. Are you sewing along? If not, there's still time to head over to @liftinglimitsquilting to pick up the pattern and get started. It's a fun quilt to make!

#originsqal #patchworksampler #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram #quiltalong
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • Blog Posts
  • Gallery
  • Free Resource Library
  • Technical Editing
  • Pattern Testing
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sunday Meditation
  • Terms and Conditions
  • About Me

Copyright © 2023 Patchwork Sampler · Theme by 17th Avenue