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.
Measurements are given for using the Tri Recs Triangle Rulers
with strips of fabric to cut the required pieces for the block.
9 Inch Finished Size |
12 Inch Finished Size |
Fabric A (coral/white star) cut 1 (3 1/2 inch x half W0F) strip; subcut
Fabric B (mottled black background) cut 1 (4 1/2 inch x WOF) strip; subcut
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Fabric A (coral/white star) cut 1 (4 1/2 inch x WOF) strip; subcut
Fabric B (mottled black background) cut 1 (4 1/2 inch x WOF) strip; subcut
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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.
WOF= Width Of Fabric
Unless otherwise noted seams are 1/4 inch.
Refer to the Block Size Cutting Chart above for the sizes you need for the block size you want to make.
Step 1 Cut Plain Squares. From Fabric B strip cut 4 squares. From Fabric A strip cut 1 square.
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.
Step 3 Layout Quilt Block. Layout the quilt block in a 3 x 3 grid pattern as follows:
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...
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!
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!