Today let’s learn how to piece this beautiful Columbian Star quilt block. The block was first published by the Ladies Art Company – a company that was formed in 1889 and was the first to publish a catalog of quilt patterns with names. So that makes this star block a classic!
I decided to make this tutorial for an 18″ block so that I wasn’t sewing with really small pieces. Plus, it means you don’t have to make so many blocks to make a quilt! There are a lot of pieces but the block is easier to put together than it looks.
Fabric Requirements for an 18″ Finished Columbian Star Quilt Block:
- Light/Cream: 4 – 4.5″ squares, 8 – 3.5″ squares, 8 – 2.5″ squares, 4 – 2.5″ x 6.5″ rectangles, and 8 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
- Dark/Blue: 1 – 6.5″ square, 8 – 3.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, and 20 – 2.5″ squares
- The block uses approximately 3/8 yard of each color
Sewing Directions:
Small Diagonal Stripe Units:
Step 1:
Using the Light/Cream 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, and 16 of the Dark/Blue 2.5″ squares, we’ll basically be making modified Flying Geese units – the position of the squares is the only difference.
- Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of two Dark/Blue 2.5″ square.
- Sew one of the Dark/Blue square to the Light/Cream rectangle along the marked line (top image). Be sure to have the same orientation as in the picture.
- Match up the corners of the squares and press (second image).
- Trim away the excess seam allowances (third image).
- Refold the piece (bottom image).
Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 on the opposite corner of the unit for a total of four units as shown in the picture below.
Step 3:
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 only sew the Dark/Blue 2.5″ squares so that the light stripe runs the other direction as shown below.
Step 4:
Here you can see all eight of the units.
Larger Diagonal Stripe Units:
Step 5:
Using the Light/Cream 3.5″ squares, Light/Cream 2.5″ squares, and the Dark/Blue 3.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles sew together the larger Diagonal Strip unit. This unit is very similar to the previous units except that we’ll be using two different sized squares.
- Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of a Light/Cream 3.5″ square and a Light/Cream 2.5″ square.
- Sew one of the Light/Cream 3.5″ square to the Dark/Blue rectangle along the marked line (top image). Be sure to have the same orientation as in the picture.
- Because I hate to waste fabric, I sewed another seam about half an inch away from the first stitching. This will create a bonus Half Square Triangle that can be used in another project.
- Match up the corners of the squares and press (second image).
- Cut in between the two stitching lines (third image).
- Refold the piece (bottom image).
Step 6:
Here you can see the bonus Half Square Triangles. These will trim up to 2.5″ square.
Step 7:
Repeat Step 5 on the opposite corner of the unit using a Light/Cream 2.5″ square as shown in the picture below. (I didn’t make bonus Half Square Triangles with this step as they turn out way too small.)
Repeat for a total of four units as shown below.
Step 8:
Repeat Steps 5 and 7 only sew the Light/Cream squares so that the blue stripe runs the other direction as shown below.
Step 9:
Here you can see the eight units and the stripe orientation.
Corner Units:
Step 10:
Lay out a Light/Cream 4.5″ square, two small Diagonal Stripe units (one of each direction), and a Dark/Blue 2.5″ square as shown in the picture below.
Step 11:
Sew the patches into two rows together and press the seam allowances away from the Diagonal Stripe units as shown in the picture below.
Step 12:
Sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance toward the Light/Cream square. Repeat Steps 10 through 12 for a total of four Corner units as shown below.
Middle Units:
Step 13:
Lay out two of the larger Diagonal Stripe units (one of each direction) as shown in the picture below.
Step 14:
Stitch the units together and press the seam allowance open as shown below.
Step 15:
Lay out the Step 14 unit with a Light/Cream 2.5″ x 6.5″ rectangle as shown below.
Step 16:
Sew the two patches together and press the seam allowance toward the Light/Cream rectangle as shown in the picture below.
Step 17:
Repeat Steps 13 through 16 for a total of four Middle units:
Putting It All Together (Finally!):
Step 18:
Lay out the four Corner units, the four Middle units, and the Dark/Blue 6.5″ square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a typical Nine Patch block.
Step 19:
Sew the units into three rows as shown.
Step 20:
Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown below.
Step 21:
Sew the three rows together and…
Step 22:
Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block. You’re done!
Layout Options:
Here’s the basic 4 x 4 layout:
Here it is with a little color variation in case you don’t want to make a two-color quilt:
And a little more color:
This would be a nice Fourth of July quilt:
In this example I’ve added blue sashing and cream cornerstones.
Here’s a basic on-point layout:
And an on-point with sashing and cornerstones:
I had to try a scrappy layout. I think the design kind of gets lost.
