How to Sew a Starshadow Traditional Quilt Block

Let’s look at this cute star block called Starshadow. It is fairly easy to sew together – just lots of pieces! This block first appeared in the Quilter’s Newsletter publication and is a lovely traditional block. Let’s get sewing!

Fabric Requirements for a 12″ Finished Starshadow Quilt Block:

Light/Ivory: 2 – 5″ squares
Medium/Tan: 2 – 5″ squares
Light/Print: 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
Medium/Green: 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
Dark/Pink: 8 – 2.5″ squares
Dark/Brown: 1 – 4.5″ square, and 8 – 2.5″ squares

I now have this block tutorial as a downloadable PDF for sale in my Etsy shop. This is totally optional. Click the button below to learn more:

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangles:

Step 1:

Using the Light/Ivory 5″ squares and Medium/Tan 5″ squares, sew together four Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. You can find my step-by-step method for making a Half Square Triangle block at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Green Diagonal Stripe Units:

Step 2:

We’ll basically be making a modified Flying Geese unit – the position of the squares is the only difference. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of a Dark/Pink 2.5″ square and a Dark/Brown 2.5″ square. Match these up with a Medium/Green 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangle as shown below.

Step 3:

Sew the Dark/Brown square to the Medium/Green rectangle along the marked line (top left image). Be sure to have the same orientation as in the picture.
Then do the same with the Dark/Pink square on the opposite corner of the Medium/Green rectangle (top right image).
Match up the corners of the squares and press (bottom left image).
Trim away the excess seam allowances (bottom right image).

Step 4:

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for a total of four Green Diagonal Stripe units.

Light/Print Diagonal Stripe Units:

Step 5:

Using the remaining Dark/Pink 2.5″ squares and Dark/Brown 2.5″ squares, along with the Light/Print 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, repeat Steps 2 through 4 to make four Light/Print Diagonal Stripe units. However, the orientation of the diagonal stripe is going in the opposite direction. Use the picture below for a reference.

Chevron Units:

Step 6:

Match up one Step 4 and one Step 5 unit as shown in the picture below.

Step 7:

Sew the two units together (top image).
And press the seam allowance. You can either press to one side (bottom left image) or press open (bottom right image).

Step 8:

Repeat Step 7 for a total of four Chevron units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 9:

Now you can lay out the Half Square Triangle units, the Chevron units, and the Dark/Brown 4.5″ square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a typical Nine Patch block.

Step 10:

First, sew the units into three rows as shown below.

Step 11:

Press the seam allowances away from the Chevron units.

Step 12:

Sew the three rows together, and…

Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block. You’re done!

I now have this block tutorial as a downloadable PDF for sale in my Etsy shop. This is totally optional. Click the button below to learn more:

Layout Options:

Here’s the basic 4 x 4 layout. Notice the secondary designs that appear!

And here it is with sashing and cornerstones:

Here’s an on-point layout with every other block being the Light/Ivory color:

And here’s another on-point layout with sashing and cornerstones:

Now let’s look at some alternating block options.

Here’s one with an alternating large Hourglass block.

And here’s one with a custom alternating block: