Ready to add some sparkle to your next quilt project? The Asymmetrical Star quilt block is a fun and forgiving design that creates a striking pattern without all the fuss. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a quick win, this 12″ finished block relies on simple snowball corners and basic piecing, so you won’t lose your star points. If you’ve ever snowballed a corner, you’re already halfway there! Follow along as I break down each step for making this unique and easy quilt block, perfect for everything from full quilts to statement pillows.
Fabric Requirements for a 12″ Finished Asymmetrical Star Quilt Block:
- Light Background: 8 – 4.5″ squares
- Light Print: 1 – 2.5″ square
- Medium Purple: 2 – 1.5″ x 2.5″ rectangles, and 2 – 1.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
- Medium Blue: 4 – 2.5″ squares, and 2 – 3″ squares
- Dark Blue: 2 – 3″ squares, and 4 – 3.5″ squares
Sewing Directions:
Center Unit:
Step 1:
Sew the two Medium Purple 1.5″ x 2.5″ rectangles to opposite sides of the Light Print 2.5″ square as shown in the picture below.
Step 2:
Press the seam allowances toward the Medium Purple fabric as shown below.
Step 3:
Now you can sew the two Medium Purple 1.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles to the sides of the Step 2 unit as shown.
Step 4:
Press the seam allowances toward the Medium Purple fabric as shown below.
Corner Units:
Step 5:
Using a Light Background 4.5″ square and a Medium Blue 3″ square “snowball” a corner of the 4.5″ square. Here are the first two steps:
- Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Medium Blue 3″ square.
- Sew the Medium Blue 3″ square to the Light Background square along the marked line (left image). Note the orientation of the marked line.
- Match the corners of the Medium Blue square and press (right image).
Step 6:
- Open the small square up and trim the seam allowance (left image).
- Refold (right image).
Step 7:
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for a total of two Corner units like the ones shown in the picture below.
Step 8:
Repeat Steps 5 through 7 only substituting a Dark Blue 3″ square for the Medium Blue 3″ square.
Middle Units:
Step 9:
Repeat Steps 5 through 6 only substituting a Dark Blue 3.5″ square for the Medium Blue 3″ square. Make a total of four units as shown in the picture below.
Step 10:
Next you can repeat Step 9 only using a Medium Blue 2.5″ square on the adjacent corner of the 4.5″ square. These are your asymmetrical star points.
Putting It All Together:
Step 11:
Lay out the Center unit, the Corner units, and the Middle units as shown in the picture below. Note the color placement of the Corner units. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.
Step 12:
Sew the units into three rows as shown.
Step 13:
Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown below.
Step 14:
To complete the block sew the three rows together and
Step 15:
Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block. All done!
A Couple of Hints:
- In Step 9 if you want, you can get a little bonus Half Square Triangle. Just stitch another seam about 1/2″ away from the first seam and cut in between the stitching lines. You can use the picture below for reference.
- If you are making a quilt with this block, you may want to press the seam allowances in Steps 13 and 15 in the opposite directions for every other block. This will ensure your seams will nest nicely together.
Layout Ideas:
Here’s your basic 4 x 4 layout.
And here it is again only with sashing and cornerstones added.
This example uses a simple chain block as an altenating block.
This version uses a large alternating Half Square Triangle block.
This is an on-point layout with an alternating chain block that extends into the setting triangles.
And here is another on-point setting that incorporates darker sashing and cornerstones and the background fabric used for the setting triangles.
