- Background (muslin)
- Light (faded chambray)
- Dark (indigo)
Block No. 35 · star
Liberty Star Quilt Block
Part of: Star Quilt BlocksPinwheel Quilt BlocksHalf Square Triangle Quilt Blocks
Liberty Star uses long, narrow triangle points rotating around the center. This four-grid version combines half-rectangle triangles with smaller HST corners, rather than substituting a different eight-point star.
Version note: Half-rectangle triangles require offset diagonal trimming. Make a test unit before cutting a whole quilt.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Grid
- 4 × 4
- Pieces
- 20
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
4 × 4 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Square | 4 | 3 1/2" square | Use as cut | 4 |
| Background | Half-square triangle | 2 | 3 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 4 |
| Background | Half-rectangle triangle | 2 | 4" × 8" | Oversize rectangles: cut diagonally as shown; trim sewn HRTs in steps | 4 |
| Light | Half-rectangle triangle | 2 | 4" × 8" | Oversize rectangles: cut diagonally as shown; trim sewn HRTs in steps | 4 |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 2 | 3 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 4 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Cut the triangle parent squares in the chart once diagonally. Pair the indicated fabrics, sew along the long edges and press; trim each small HST unit to 3 1/2".
Step 2: Cut the oversize HRT rectangles from the chart. With fabrics right sides up, cut from lower left to upper right, matching the tall quadrant in the diagram; rotate completed units rather than mirroring their diagonal.
Step 3: Pair contrasting HRT triangles along their long diagonal edges. Center the seam and sew with a 1/4-inch allowance, then press. Trim each unit to 3 1/2" wide by 6 1/2" tall: the diagonal seam must pass through points 1/4 inch inward from the two opposite raw corners, NOT through the raw corners themselves.
Step 4: Sew a background square below a small HST. Add one tall HRT beside this pair, making a 6 1/2" quadrant.
Step 5: Rotate four quadrants around the center as shown. Join them in two rows and then join the rows.
Step 6: Join the sections with a consistent 1/4-inch seam, pressing between seams. Check that the unfinished block measures 12 1/2" square.