The Amish Star block is easier to construct than it looks. The design is based on a Nine Patch block with Half Square Triangles, Flying Geese and squares making up the patches. I always think of Amish quilts as being mostly solids but I put my own spin on the block by using prints and making it scrappy. Let’s get started!
(Update: I now have this tutorial available as a PDF pattern for purchase in my Etsy shop. Click HERE to find out more.)
Fabric Requirements for a 12″ Finished Amish Star Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 1 – 4.5″ square, 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, 4 – 3″ squares, and 8 – 2.5″ squares
- Assorted Prints: 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, 4 – 3″ squares, and 8 – 2.5″ squares
Sewing Directions:
Half Square Triangle Units:
Step 1:
Using the Light/White 3″ squares and the Assorted Prints 3″ squares, sew together 8 Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. Trim/square up the units to 2.5″ square. You can find the tutorial for making Half Square Triangles at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block If you are making multiple blocks, you can mix in more prints. Here you can see that I have 2 of each color fabric.
Flying Geese Units:
Step 2:
Next you need to sew together four Flying Geese patches using the 4 Assorted Prints 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and 8 Light/White 2.5″ squares like shown in the picture below. You can find a tutorial using my no-trim method for perfect Flying Geese at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block
Step 3:
Match up one Step 2 unit and one Light/White 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangle and sew together as shown in the picture below. Press seam allowance toward the Light/White fabric.
Step 4:
Repeat Step 3 for a total of four Flying Geese units.
Corner Units:
Step 5:
Lay out two Half Square Triangle units and two Assorted Prints 2.5″ squares as shown below.
Step 6:
The Corner unit will go together like a typical Four Patch block. First sew the patches into two rows and press the seam allowances toward the Assorted Prints 2.5″ squares as shown in the picture below.
Step 7:
Then sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance as shown below.
Step 8:
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for a total of four Corner units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 9:
Lay out the Flying Geese units, the Corner units, and the Light/White 4.5″ square as shown in the picture below.
Step 10:
From here the Amish Star goes together just like a basic Nine Patch block. First sew the units into three rows as shown in the picture below.
Step 11:
And press the seam allowances away from the Flying Geese units as shown below.
Step 12:
Then you can sew the three rows together,
Step 13:
And press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown in the picture below. You’re done!
Layout Ideas:
