Variable Star and Flying Geese

 

Variable Star

Stars are commonly based on a nine-patch block but the nine sections are often unequal sections. These instructions are for the eight-pointed star sometimes called the Variable Star or Saw Tooth Star. More information about this block can be found at http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/civil_war/union_confederate.htm 

Collect

• Three different fabrics.

• Fabric A is the centre of the star

• Fabric B is the background

• Fabric C is used for the points.

You can use the same fabric for the points and the centre of the star if you prefer.

Cut

• One 6½” square of fabric A.

• Four 3½” squares of fabric B.

• Four 6½” x 3½” rectangles of fabric B.

• Eight 3½” squares of fabric C.

Construct

• Use quick flying geese method (see photos below) to join the eight points to four rectangles of fabric B. This will make the four flying geese sections.

• Before you cut off the waste, sew another seam ½” away from the sewing line and trim off the small half square triangle to use in another project or add to your leader and ender pile.

 

• Arrange all the pieces to form the star.

• Sew each row of pieces together taking care to align the points correctly.

• Press the seams in alternate directions so that butting your seams for perfect corners is easier.

• Sew the rows together to form the finished block taking care to match your corners.

There is an alternate ‘no waste’ method for flying geese which you might be able to find online.

Variations on stars

 

The top star block opposite uses an uneven nine-patch technique with smaller stars in two of the corner blocks. Note: the flying geese technique cannot be used here.

 

The bottom star block on this page uses a stack-n-slash method to create a five-pointed star.

 

Kaleidoscope ‘stars’ usually create six-pointed stars using a more complex piecing method.

 

Mariner’s Compass ‘stars’ are usually four-pointed stars with one or more minor points between the four points. This block is always best done by foundation piecing each quarter of the compass then trimming them before joining to form the star.

 

  

Here are some more star block variations. Some are traditional blocks while others are newer variations.

Notes and Tips

Remember to butt seams to make your corners perfect. 

 

Helpful Resources

To do your own searches some suggested search terms might be:

• star quilt blocks

• kaleidoscope quilt blocks

• mariner’s compass quilt

Bonnie has lots of ideas at http://www.quiltville.com/ 

 

Help with quick flying geese can be found at http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ss/block_one_2.htm