Ohio Star Quilt Block Pattern Tutorial

An Ohio star quilt block is faster to make using a quarter square triangle ruler and strips. Make 4 hourglass blocks, cut 5 squares, stitch and you are done!

Ohio star quilt block

The Ohio star block has a center square surrounded by four hourglass quarter square triangles (QSTs). They make its center look like a square within a square. The four corners of a traditional Ohio star are plain squares. Classic colors for making an Ohio star block are red and white.

Ohio Star Block Size Cutting Chart

Measurements are given for using a Quarter Triangle Rulers with strips of fabric.

Here's a tutorial on How To Use a Quarter Square Triangle Ruler.

Ohio Star Quilt Block Pattern Instructions

WOF= Width Of Fabric
Unless otherwise noted seams are 1/4 inch.

Step 1 Review the Block Size Cutting Chart above and determine the size Ohio star block that you want to make. Cut one strip from Fabric A and one strip from Fabric B. Place right sides together with Fabric B on top.

Use a quarter square triangle (QST) ruler* to cut 8 quarter square triangles.

*Align the tip of the ruler with the top edge of the fabric strip and the ruler's measurement line along the bottom edge of the the fabric strip. Make a cut on both sides of the ruler to cut one QST. Rotate the ruler 180 degrees. Align ruler as before and with previously cut edge of QST. Make a cut along the right edge of the ruler, cutting another QST. Repeat from * for as many QSTs as needed.

Follow the instructions on your QST ruler or these step-by-step QST ruler instructions.

Step 2a With the flat tip going under the needle first, stitch a 1/4 inch seam on all the quarter square triangles along right edge  (yes, I know the photo shows only 4 but stitch all 8).

Step 2b Press the seams toward the darker fabric (Fabric A). Trim the dog ear.

Step 3a Orient the two sets of the quarter square triangles to make a square by placing the bottom set with Fabric B oriented on the right side of the square and Fabric A along the bottom.

Place the second set with Fabric B oriented along the left side of the square and Fabric A along the top of the square. It's the same quarter square triangle simply rotated.

Step 3b With right sides together, place the bottom set of triangles over the top set and stitch a 1/4 inch seam along diagonal edge.

Step 3c Press the seam in either direction and flip the bottom set of triangles right side up. Your first quarter square triangle, or in this case an hourglass block, is now complete.

Step 4  Repeat Steps 2a to 3c to make a total of four to be used to make the Ohio star quilt block.

Step 5 From Fabric A cut one square. From Fabric B cut four squares.

Step 6 Layout Quilt Block. Layout the quilt block in a 3 x 3 grid pattern as follows:

• Row 1: background square, hourglass quarter square triangle (center points oriented horizontally), background square
• Row 2: hourglass quarter square triangle (center points oriented vertically), Fabric A square, hourglass quarter square triangle (center points oriented vertically)
• Row 3: background square, hourglass quarter square triangle (center points oriented horizontally), background square

Step 7 In turn, stitch together the units of each row. Right sides together, align unit from Column 2 on top of unit in Column 1.  Along right edge, stitch a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Flip unit from Column 2 right side up. Right sides together, align unit from Column 3 on top of unit in Column 2. Stitch. Flip unit from Column 3 right side up. Row is complete.

Step 8 Press the seams...

• Row 1: press the seams toward the background squares.
• Row 2: press the seams toward the center square.
• Row 3: press the seams toward the background squares.

Step 9 Stitch Rows to Each Other. In turn, right sides together stitch Row 1 to Row 2, nesting the seams. Flip Row 1 right side up. Stitch Row 3 to Row 2. Flip Row 3 right side up.

Press the seams between the rows open.

Your Ohio star quilt block is complete!

Note: To make your quarter square triangles from squares and half square triangles, see this hourglass quarter square triangles tutorial. For a 9 inch block make 3 inch finished size QSTs and for a 12 inch block make 4 inch finished size QSTs (see the size chart included in the hourglass QSTs tutorial).

Classic Red and White Ohio Star Quilt Pattern Idea

The Ohio star quilt block in red and white is a classic quilt pattern. Twelve inch Ohio star blocks are surrounded by 2 inch stashing strips as well as 2 inch borders, 5 blocks per row by 6 rows and finished off with red binding.

It uses 30 Ohio star quilt blocks. This quilt pattern would be approximately 72 x 86 inches, a throw or twin size quilt.

Ohio Star Variation Quilt Block

The block below is a variation on the Ohio star quilt block. It has a square in a square unit as its center instead of a plain square.

Ohio star variation quilt block with a square in a square center

Ohio Star Variation Block Quilt Pattern

This Ohio star variation block quilt pattern measures approximately 69 x 82 1/2 inches. It alternates between black and red 12 inch Ohio star variation quilt blocks.

The stashing strips between the blocks and the cornerstone rows are 1 1/2 inches wide. The cornerstones alternate between gray and red colors.  I would do the binding in the same color as the background which in this case is white.