Triangle In a Square Star Quilt Block Tutorial

The triangle in a square star is a variation of the Arkansas Snowflake quilt block. It's traditional with a modern look and easy to make using Tri Recs Triangle Rulers!

The center of the star differs from the Arkansas Snowflake quilt block. It uses a plain square at its center. The Arkansas Snowflake uses an hourglass unit. The star resembles the North star so it makes a great Christmas quilt pattern.

Block Size Cutting Chart

Measurements are given for using the Tri Recs Triangle Rulers

with strips of fabric to cut the required pieces for the block.

Never used Tri Recs triangle rulers? Need to refresh your memory? Please review this Triangle In a Square Tutorial Using Tri Recs Rulers step by step tutorial.

Triangle in a Square Star Quilt Block Pattern Instructions

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

Step 1 Cut Plain Squares. From Fabric B strip cut 4 squares. From Fabric A strip cut 1 square.

Make Triangle in a Square Units

Step 2 Cut Triangles. From Fabric B strip cut 8 side triangles using the Recs Triangle Ruler. From Fabric A strip cut 4 center triangles using the Tri Triangle Ruler.

Stitch Triangle in a Square Units. Here are the quick steps to making triangle in a square units. Click the link below get the step by step tutorial.

• Layout one side triangle on the left and one on the right and insert the center triangle between the two side triangles.
• Stitch the right side triangle to the center triangle, aligning slanted edge along the bottom right corner of the center triangle.
• Press the right side triangle right side up, pressing the seam towards it.
• Stitch the left side triangle to the center triangle, aligning slanted edge along the bottom left corner of the center triangle.
• Press the left side triangle right side up, pressing the seam towards it.

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

• Row 1: plain background square, triangle in a square unit (point is north), plain background square
• Row 2: triangle in a square unit (point is west), plain star square, triangle in a square unit (point is east)
• Row 3: plain background square, triangle in a square unit (point is south), plain background square

Step 4 Stitch Together Units of Row 1. Right sides together, align triangle in a square unit on top of background square in Column 1. Stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 5 Flip triangle in a square unit right side up.

Step 6 Right sides together, align background square from Column 3 on top of triangle in a square unit. Stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 7 Flip background square from Column 3 right side up. Row 1 is complete.

Step 8 Repeat Steps 4 - 7 to stitch together the units of Rows 2 and 3.

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 Row 1 to Row 2, nesting the straight seams.

To keep the 'points' the stitches should go through the point where the seams of the center triangle and the side triangles intersect. Here's a close up.

Step 10 Flip Row 1 right side up. Stitch Row 3 to Row 2, repeating Step 9.

Step 11 Flip Row 3 right side up. Press the seams between the rows open. From the back, spray the entire block with an alternative start solution and press all seams again.

Your triangle in a square star quilt block is now complete! Don't you just love it!

Triangle In a Square Star Quilt Pattern Idea

Here's what a triangle in a square star quilt block would look like in a quilt. A 12 inch star block size alternates with 12 inch plain squares (5 blocks per row by 7 rows).

It uses 18 triangle in a square star blocks and 17 plain squares. The four borders are 6 inches wide. This quilt pattern would be approximately 72 x 96 inches, making it large enough for a throw or twin size quilt.

The triangle in a square star is a variation of several traditional blocks. It has a modern look while somehow maintaining hints of being retro. Make the stars and binding done in deep wine red, mottled with white and black irregular dots, colored fabric floating on a cream background and this quilt pattern idea is ready to show off at Christmas. Make it today!

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