The Sandhills Star quilt block, steeped in tradition and sometimes referred to as the “Blossoming Cactus” block, was first published in the Kansas City Star. While obviously being a star block, it can also be considered a weathervane block.
Sandhills Star is composed of four fabric colors set against a contrasting background. Your color placement can change the entire look of the block so you can create a quilt that is uniquely your own. Let’s take a look at how to construct this beautiful block!
(Update: Sandhills Star block pattern is now available for purchase at SANDHILLS STAR.)
Fabric Requirements for a 12″ Finished Sandhills Star Quilt Block:
- Light/Cream: 4 – 3″ squares, and 12 – 2.5″ squares
- Light Gold: 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, and 8 – 2.5″ squares
- Medium Gold: 1 – 5.5″ square, and 2 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
- Dark Green: 4 – 3″ squares, and 4 – 2.5″ squares
- Dark Orange: 1 – 5.5″ square, and 2 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
Sewing Directions:
Hourglass Unit:
Step 1:
Using the Medium Gold and Dark Orange 5.5″ squares, sew together an Hourglass unit like the one shown below. Trim/square up the unit to 4.5″ square. You can find my detailed tutorial for making a basic Hourglass quilt block at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-hourglass-or-quarter-square-triangle-block. You will have an extra unit to use in the next block.
Half Square Triangle Units:
Step 2:
Using four of the Light/Cream 3″ squares and the four Dark Green 3″ squares, piece eight Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. Trim/square up the units to 2.5″ square. You will find a tutorial for making a basic Half Square Triangle block at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block.
Corner Units:
Step 3:
Lay out two of the Step 2 Half Square Triangle units, one Light/Cream 2.5″ square and one Dark Green 2.5″ square as shown in the picture below.
Step 4:
Now you can sew the patches together like a typical Four Patch block. First sew them into two rows and press the seam allowances away from the Half Square Triangle units as shown below.
Step 5:
Then sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance toward the Dark Green 2.5″ square as shown in the picture below. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for a total of four Corner units.
Flying Geese Units:
Step 6:
Using the Light Gold 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and Light/Cream 2.5″ squares, sew together Flying Geese units. For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block. The picture below shows the first four steps.
Step 7:
And here’s a picture showing the last four steps.
Step 8:
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for a total of four Cream/Light Gold Flying Geese units like the ones in the picture below.
Step 9:
Now using the Medium Gold 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and the Light Gold 2.5″ squares, repeat Steps 6 and 7 for a total of two Flying Geese units.
Step 10:
Now using the Dark Orange 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and the Light Gold 2.5″ squares, repeat Steps 6 and 7 for a total of two Flying Geese units.
Middle Units:
Step 11:
Pair up a Step 8 and a Step 9 Flying Geese unit and sew together. Press the seam allowance toward the Step 8 Flying Geese unit as shown below (top two images).
Repeat using a Step 8 and a Step 10 Flying Geese unit (bottom two images).
Step 12:
Repeat Step 11 for a total of two EACH of the Middle units as shown in the picture below.
Putting It All Together:
Step 13:
Lay out the center Hourglass unit, the four Corner units, and the four Middle units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.
Step 14:
First, you will sew the units into three rows as shown.
Step 15:
And press the seam allowances toward the Middle units.
Step 16:
Then sew the three rows together to complete the block! All done except for the pressing.
Step 17:
Layout Ideas:
