Variable Star Quilt Block Tutorial

The Variable Star is a classic quilt block that has been around for over 100 years. It has also been called the Sawtooth Star and the Evening Star. The possibilities with this one really are endless. Since the center is a square, you can fill that square with patchwork, fussy cut fabric, or more stars

You will need the following pieces:

Star: One 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square, Eight 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares.
Background: Four 3 1/2"  x3 1/2" squares, Four 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" pieces.

Start by marking diagonal lines on the back of the eight 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" star pieces.

Place the marked star square on the 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" background piece with right sides together. Stitch on the line.

Trim 1/4" from seam to remove corner.

Press to corner. Repeat to make four.

Place a marked star square on the opposite side of the 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" background piece with right sides together. Stitch on the line. 

Trim 1/4" from the seam to remove corner. Press to corner. Repeat to make four. Now you have four flying geese.

Lay out the pieces of the block. *Take a look at this awesome new product, a Lori Holt Design Board, that keeps your blocks together if you are not going to get to them for awhile - or is perfect for transporting them to and from the sewing machine without getting the pieces mixed up! So awesome! 

Stitch the three rows together. 

Press to the pieces with no seams as shown in diagram.

Stitch rows together, making sure to butt up the seams to give you perfect corners! 

Now press the entire block...and...  

Voila! You've got a beautiful variable star block. Not too hard, huh? 

Here is what it might look like if I did an entire quilt like this. 

Scrappy version? 

And check out what I did in the center of the block - another smaller variable star! Endless possibilities, I'm telling you.