A while ago, I made this 5-patch block that I thought I'd share with you today. This block is called a four-X Star block. I made a 5" square block, but I am also providing cutting instructions for a 10" block.
For each block, you will need a background fabric and 3 other fabrics. I used a batik in a pink/purple for the star points and black for the connecting square, a pale pink for my third color, and a white on white for my background. The good thing about this block is that I used squares I had left over from another quilt so it is a great way to use up scraps.
You probably cannot read the writing on the image above so here is what you'll need to cut:
- From background fabric: cut EIGHT 1-1/2" squares and FOUR 2" squares
[for 10" block that will be EIGHT 2-1/2" squares and FOUR 3" squares] - From Star point fabric: cut FOUR 2" squares
[10" block: FOUR 3" squares] - From Dark fabric (connecting square): cut FOUR 1-1/2" squares
[10" block: FOUR 2-1/2" squares] - From Light fabric cut FIVE 1-1/2" squares
[10" block: FIVE 2-1/2" squares]
Using the EIGHT 2" [3"] squares (four of background and four of star point fabric), make EIGHT half-square triangles. If you are not familiar with making these, check my free lesson: Half Square Triangles
Trim your half-square triangles for 1-1/2" for the 5" block (or 2-1/2" for the 10" block).
Now all your unit pieces will equal the same 1-1/2" (or 2-1/2").
I like to lay all my pieces out to make assembly easy. I make fewer mistakes that way. I lay them out on a small cutting board or pressing board so I can easily move them to my sewing machine..... and I always double check the HST units are the correct way around before I sew the units into rows.
Units are ready to sew together
It's best practice to press away from the HST units. The arrows in the photo below show the direction I pressed each seam. This makes it easy to match the seams accurately when sewing the rows because they butt nicely together.
Units sewn into Rows - arrows show pressing direction
And here is how my block turned out....
Finished 5" four-x star block
This fun block makes an attractive star. What colors will you use to make one?
Thinking on.... this would be fun to make on a much larger scale and use as a background for an applique design. I might just do that.
