Quilt block · Stars · Beginner
Clay’s Choice quilt block
Four quarters turned round the center, each a dark square, a light square and two half-square triangle units, so the medium points spin like a star. Also called Harry’s Star and Henry of the West.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
4 squares and 8 triangles
- B4 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
- A4 squares 2″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 squares
- A4 squares 2″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 star points
- B4 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
4 squares and 8 triangles
- B4 squares 3⅛″cut once on the diagonal
- A4 squares 2¾″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 squares
- A4 squares 2¾″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 star points
- B4 squares 3⅛″cut once on the diagonal
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
4 squares and 8 triangles
- B4 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- A4 squares 3½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 squares
- A4 squares 3½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 star points
- B4 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 8 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background B triangle to a Medium B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 2″ (1½″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 4 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 4 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 4 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 8 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background B triangle to a Medium B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 2¾″ (2¼″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 4 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 4 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 4 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 8 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background B triangle to a Medium B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 4 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 4 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 4 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
Liberty StarFour-patch · Stars
StarflowerFour-patch · Stars
See SawFour-patch · Pinwheels
Dutchman’s PuzzleFour-patch · Pinwheels
More like this: Star quilt blocks · Pinwheel quilt blocks · Four-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Clay’s Choice the same block as Harry’s Star?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Harry’s Star and Henry of the West as other names for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 4 × 4 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, 14″, 15″, 16″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 4 sections (A, B, C and D), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s a good block for a beginner: 24 pieces in 2 different shapes and 9 points to match. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.