How to Make the Utah Star Quilt Block Tutorial

Again this year, for the quilt guild I am apart of, I am providing instructions for how to make a different quilt block each month. For the month of October, we are making the Utah Star Quilt Block. This one caught my eye because I live in Utah! So why not?

This block is made using half rectangle triangles. 

For a 12 inch finished block (12.5 inch unfinished), you will need to cut the following: 

Background (White)

     (A)  4 of 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch square

     (B)  4 of 3 1/2 x 2 inch rectangle

     (C)  8 of 2 1/2 x 5 inch rectangle

Color 1 (Teal)

     (D)  6 of 2 1/2 x 5 inch rectangle

Color 2 (Dark Blue)

     (E)  4 of 2 1/2 x 5 inch rectangle

Color 3 (Light Blue)

     (F)  2 of 2 1/2 x 5 inch rectangle

Sew

Create the half rectangle triangle units.  Using the (F) and (D) pieces, lay a (F) piece on top of a (D) piece, right sides together, like shown in the picture. It is important they are oriented the correct way, with the (D) piece sticking out the left side.

Draw a line on the (F) piece from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.

Stitch a scant 1/4" away from both sides of the line. 

Cut on the drawn line and press to the dark side. 

Repeat to make a total of 8 units of (C) and (D) and 2 units of (D) and (F). 

Next, make half rectangle triangle units that go the opposite direction.

Using the (F) and (D) pieces, lay a (F) piece on top of a (D) piece, right sides together, like shown in the picture. It is important they are oriented the correct way, with the (D) piece sticking out the right side.

Draw a line on the (F) piece from the top right corner to the bottom left corner.

Repeat the directions above to complete the half rectangle triangle unit.

Repeat to make a total of 8 units of (C) and (E) and 2 units of (D) and (F).

Trim down each unit to 3 1/2 x 2 inches, making sure the seam meets at the corners.

Stitch each CD unit to a CE unit, as shown in the picture. Stitch each (B) piece to a DF unit, as shown in the picture.

Layout the squares to create the block.

Stitch together units to create rows. Then, stitch together all the rows to create the block. Press.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

Check back each month for a new How-To of quilt blocks! To see the other blocks, just search my blog for Quilt Guild Block of the Month.

If you would like a PDF version of these instructions, please check out Group #4 of the How-To Block of the Month Downloads.

This is classic block that has been designed and created by many people. As I have mentioned before, these block designs come from the book 5500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone. (c) 2003 but these instructions are written by me.) 

Have fun quilting!