Make this fun variation of a sawtooth star quilt block.

This block features flying geese units and half square triangles.

This is a great block for a confident beginner to an experienced quilter.

Since there is a variety of quilting techniques it is an ideal block to develop skills.

Join us for this Halloween themed quilting series. (Of course you can make these blocks using any theme you'd like.)

Last week we made the Greek cross quilt block. We will be making two more quilt blocks and then we will put them all together for a cute Halloween table runner.

SAWTOOTH STAR VARIATION

The sawtooth star is a traditional quilt block. This variation uses half-square triangles in the corner squares instead of squares.

If you want to make the classic sawtooth star, I have a tutorial for that too.

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FABRIC AND SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR QUILTING

You can use any fabric you want. I am using a Halloween print. I am in love with this fabric. It's just too cute!

If you'd like to use the same fabrics, this line is called Meow-gical Night by Michael Davis for Wilmington Prints.

I ordered a layer cake. That is plenty for the table runner I am making.

As with most fabric lines, when it's gone, it's gone. But you can often find different suppliers that still have some in stock. I always check Etsy too for fabric that's hard to find.

FABRIC NEEDED FOR A TABLE RUNNER PROJECT

If you'd like to make the table runner with me, here is what you will need:

a layer cake (I will have plenty leftover for other projects)
3/4 yards black fabric
3/4 yard backing fabric (with one seam to form back - or 1 1/3 yard if you don't want a seam.)
3/4 yard batting

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR QUILTING

Below are the typical quilting supplies you will need for most projects. At the end of the list are the quilting rulers that I used specifically on this quilt block.

thread
rotary cutter / cutting mat / straight edge
sewing machine (This is my new machine that I absolutely love!)
sewing scissors
pencil
iron and ironing board
HST Ruler
Easy Square Jr. Ruler
Flying Geese Ruler

FABRIC MEASUREMENTS FOR A 9" SAWTOOTH STAR VARIATION BLOCK

For a nine inch block you will need:

1) 5" square (orange)
1) 6" square (black)
4) 3 3/8" squares (checkered)
1) 4 5/8" square (black)
1) 4 5/8" square (cream w/ black cats)

Feel free to use different colors - I have them labeled, just for ease of following along with the tutorial.

This tutorial is explained using measurements for a 9 inch block. But you can make other sizes.

You can get a handy size chart which includes the measurements for a 6 inch, 9 inch and 12 inch block.

Be sure to sign up for the free printable charts!

HOW TO MAKE A SAWTOOTH STAR VARIATION QUILT BLOCK

This variation of the sawtooth star uses a few different quilting units. It includes flying geese, half square triangles and a simple square for the center.

All seams are sewn with a quarter inch seam allowance.

For the center square, I used the fussy cutting method to make sure I had a cat in that center block.

MAKING THE FLYING GEESE

Let's make the flying geese blocks first.

Select the black 6 inch square. Place two of the checkered 3 3/8" squares on opposite corners of the black square.

Make sure that right sides are facing together. The checkered blocks will overlap.

Using a quilting ruler, line up the 1/4 inch mark with the points. Draw lines along the edge of the ruler. (This should be 1/4 inch away from the center.) Repeat by drawing another line on the other side of the center.

Stitch along the drawn lines.

Cut the block in half, from corner to corner, between the sewn seams.

Press open the block and you will have this heart shaped unit.

Place the last two checkered squares on the bottom corner.

collage of images depicting making flying geese quilt units

Draw two vertical lines (1/4 inch away from both sides of the center).

Stitch along the drawn lines.

Cut between the two lines

Press open each block.

Next trim each flying geese unit to 5" X 2 3/4".

Since this is not a typical size, I'll explain how I did this. (Watch the video for visual instructions, it's kind of hard to explain.)

I used a flying geese ruler to begin with.

I lined up the triangle marking with the triangle in the fabric. Then I trimmed the top.

This gives us the 1/4 inch seam allowance and a starting point to square it up.

Then I used an Easy Square Jr. Ruler to square up the rest.

I lined up the 2 1/2" marking with the point of the triangle. I made sure the top was lined up with one of the lines on the ruler to make sure it was straight. Then I trimmed off any excess.

I repeated on the other side, again measuring 2 1/2" from the center point of the triangle.

Lastly, I trimmed the bottom. I measured using the easy square ruler 2 3/4" from the top and trimmed the excess on the bottom.

Repeat with each flying geese unit.

MAKING THE HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

Now let's make the half square triangle units.

Begin with the two 4 5/8" squares. Place them right sides together.

Sew all the way around the square with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Cut from corner to corner in both directions.

Trim HST's to 2 3/4" using a Triangle Square Up Ruler.

Press open and trim tails.

ASSEMBLING THE SAWTOOTH STAR

Layout the pieces in the formation desired.

The orange square will be the center of the star.

Add the flying geese to each side with the points of the star facing outward.

Add the half square triangles with the black points facing inward.

making a sawtooth star variation quilt block

Sew together each row.

Press the seams of the top row and bottom row toward the HST's.

Press seams of the middle row toward the middle.

Sew together each row, nesting the seams as you sew.

Coming up we are making these blocks for our table runner

And this is the tutorial for making the table runner.

Want to watch the video? ↓↓Click the link ↓↓

→SAWTOOTH STAR VARIATION BLOCK←

MORE QUILT PATTERNS

Don't forget to pin it!!