When my friend Amanda (the genius behind Broadcloth Studio) asked me to write a brief blog post about my favorite classic quilt block, the Sawtooth Star immediately popped into my mind. I am such a sucker for this simple, visually appealing block.
Amanda has put together a really neat quiz to find your quilt block soul mate--to take the quiz, click HERE.
I also knew that this would be the perfect opportunity for me to switch things up a bit and make a modified Sawtooth Star block. After all, quilted pillows are always in high demand at our household.
Keep reading to see a photo tutorial on how to make a modified Sawtooth Star block.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you choose to click through and make a purchase.
For this Quilt Block, You will need:
(1) 8-¼" square in background color (in this example, the flax colored Essex linen)
(1) 8-¼" square in color used for star "points" (in this example, the dark green solid)
(4) 3-½" squares in color used for star's center (in this example, the striped linen blend)
(4) 3-½" squares in background color
(4) 2-½" x 8-½" in background color
(4) 2-½" x 6-½" in background color
(2) 1" x 8-½" sashing pieces in either background color or contrasting color
(1) 1" x 17" sashing piece in either background color or contrasting color
Just a note before we get started...
In a classic Sawtooth Star block, the star points are constructed using flying geese units. Because this block is broken up into four different sections, half square triangles are taking the place of the flying geese units.
Half Square Triangle Assembly (8-at-a-time)
Using a Hera marker or marking utensil, mark two diagonal lines corner to corner on the wrong side of (1) 8-¼" square.
With right sides together, sew a seam ¼" on either side of each marked line. Then, using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut into (8) pieces (cutting lines are outlined in pink in the photo below).
Press seams of all (8) half square triangles open or to one side and trim to 3-½".
SAWTOOTH STAR SECTION ASSEMBLY
For this project, the sawtooth star will be assembled in four different sections that will be later separated by thin sashing. It is easiest to lay out the star pieces how they will be sewn together, as shown in the photo below.
For each of the four sections, sew the two pieces next to each other right sides together to form a row and press seams open. Then sew the two rows together right sides together. Press seams open.
Sew (1) 2-½" x 6-½" background piece to each piece formed in previous step right sides together. Press seam open. Then, sew (1) 2-½" x 8-½" piece right sides together and press seam open.
Repeat this process for the remaining three sections.
With right sides together, sew (1) 1" x 8-½" sashing piece between the two left and right sections of sawtooth star. Press seams open.
Note: in the following few photos, the sashing pieces of this project are a contrasting off-white color. It ended up being a little too bright for me, so I ripped the original sashing out and replaced it with background color sashing.
With right sides together, sew 1"x17" sashing piece between the top and bottom sections of sawtooth star as shown in the photo below. Press seams open.
And that's it! The "fractured" sawtooth star is complete. This block can easily be made into a quilted pillow top, which is what I did with mine.
CLICK HERE to see how add a pillow closure to a quilted pillow.
My original quilting plan was to quilt lines that were ½" apart, but I decided to do something a little more dense, hence the ¼" quilting. I'm pleased with how it turned out!
The finished size of this pillow is 16", but I used an 18" pillow insert for a "full" look. It coordinates with our sofa nicely! I plan on making a matching one soon.
I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! If you make one of your own, share it on social media with the hashtag #wrencollectivepatterns so that I can see!
Until next time,
XO Rach
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