{Classic Quilt Blocks} Sawtooth Star - A Tutorial

Last week I raved about the gorgeous Classic Quilt Block, the Sawtooth Star. This week I have a step by step tutorial so you can sew your own block, and if you've never sewn one before you're in for a treat. It's an easy block to sew and hopefully you used last week's colouring sheet to plan your own block.

I'll be making a 6" (finished) block and at the end of the tutorial there's a chart of cutting measurements for six different sizes - 4", 6", 8", 10", 12" and 15". You'll be able to use this chart for all your future projects.

As I mentioned last week, a combination of squares and flying geese units is the easiest way to construct the Sawtooth Star block.

No matter how accurate you cut, flying geese units can become a little wonky due to the diagonally cut triangles. In this tutorial and my chart, I've added a little extra to the square measurement for the smaller triangles to avoid any wonky units.  You can trim the units down to size after sewing.

So here we go:

From your background fabric cut:

•  1 x 4 1/4" square cut diagonally twice to yield 4 triangles (B)
•  4 x 2" squares (D)

From your print fabric cut:

•  1 x 3 1/2" square (A)
•  4 x 2 1/2" squares cut diagonally to yield 8 triangles (C)

• To make the flying geese units, sew a print (C) triangle to the left short side of each of the four background (B) triangles, along the long sides using a 1/4" seam. Set each seam with your iron and then finger press the seam towards the print fabric. Press the seams with your iron.

• Sew a print (C) triangle to the right short side of each of the four background (B) triangles, along the long sides using a 1/4" seam. Set each seam with your iron and then finger press the seam towards the print fabric. Press the seams with your iron.

•  Carefully trim each of the four flying geese units to 2" x 3 1/2".

•  Arrange the four flying geese units, the four background (D) squares and the print (A) square into three rows of three blocks as shown in the photo above, ensuring correct orientation of all units.

•  Sew the units together into the three rows, pressing seams in alternate directions.

• Carefully matching all seams, sew the three rows together along the long sides and pressing the seams open to complete your Sawtooth Star block which should measure 6 1/2" square when complete.

Tada! How fun and easy was that? One gorgeous Sawtooth Star ready for your next project.

The following chart gives you all the cutting measurements for six sizes - 4", 6", 8" 10" 12" and 15" square. Each size is constructed in the same manner, but you will need to use the chart to determine the cutting requirements for each block size.

You can download and print the Sawtooth Star Cutting Chart by clicking the link or right click on the photo below and save to your computer for reference:

To use the chart simply chose the finished sized block you require and cut all pieces (A-D) as required. I've included the unfinished size of the flying geese units to help you with your trimming.

I hope you enjoy sewing your own Sawtooth Star blocks. Next week I'm giving you lots of inspiration to add traditional twists to this Classic Quilt Block and I have a free block pattern for you to try. I think you'll love this block, it's fun and pretty and it finishes at 8" square, so you'll be able to use it for lots of projects.

Happy quilting :)