Quilt Block: Austin Star Quilt Block

Making quilt blocks can seem to be a daunting process for a beginner, but really it’s just a matter of taking your time and knowing which bit goes where.

For this block, we used Half Square Triangles (HST’s). If you are unfamiliar with making these, then here is a link to making a half square triangle.

When I finished this block I wasn’t 100% happy with the bright pink corner blocks and feel I should have chosen something a little more subtle. But once you start filming and get halfway through, there’s no going back, well not if you want to get the tutorial finished.  Maybe when a few of them are put together it might look better to me.

Watch the video tutorial below or scroll down for the written instructions

The Austin Star quilt block measures:

• 10½” – unfinished
• 10″ – finished

What You Need:

Fabric 1: Star pieces

• 1 pc 6¾”
• 1 pc 5½”Fabric

Fabric 2: Side pieces

• 1 pc 6¾”

Fabric 3: Corner squares

• 4 pcs 3″ square

TOOLS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL

You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below:

• Olfa 24″ x 36″ double sided healing mat
• Quilters slidelock
• Olfa 60mm rotary cutter
• Creative Grids Ruler 8½” x 24½” 
• Oliso Iron
• Gutermann Sew All thread

Let’s Put it Together:

• Take the two 6¾” pieces of fabric and place them one on top of the other, right sides together.
• Draw a line diagonally across the fabric from corner to corner, in both directions as shown in the photo below.

• Sew a ¼” seam on either side of the lines that you have drawn.

• Slice the fabric in the order shown in the photo below.
• Do Not move the fabric, move the ruler.

• You now have 8 half square triangles (HST’s)

• Press each of the HST’s with the seam going towards the dark side.

• Lay out the pieces as shown below.

• Sew the first two pieces together with a ¼” seam.

• Sew the next two pieces together with a ¼” seam.
• Then sew the two sets together to form the top row.

• Repeat the process to form the bottom row.

• Take two side pieces and lay them one on top of the other, right sides together.
• Join them with a ¼” seam.

• Repeat the process for the two squares on the other side.

• Press the seams open on the side pieces.

• Lay the side piece over the middle square, right sides together.
• Sew together with a ¼” seam.
• Do the same with the other side piece.

• Now press the seams as shown in the photo below.
• Press the bottom piece the same as the top piece. – Centre seam open, side seams towards the outside edge.
• Press the middle piece with the seams towards the middle square and the seams on the side pieces were already  pressed open in an earlier step.

• Lay the top piece on top of the middle section and sew together with a ¼” seam.

• Lay the bottom piece on top of the middle section and sew together with a ¼” seam.

• And here is the finished block.

Here are some examples of the Austin Star Quilt Block made into quilts.