The Ohio Star quilt block is one of those timeless designs that feels both classic and fresh every time you make it. With its bold star shape and simple construction, it’s a favorite for quilters who want something striking without being complicated.
If you’ve been wanting to try a star block, this is a great place to start. The Ohio Star uses basic piecing techniques in a nine-patch format – quarter-square triangles and squares – making it ideal for confident beginners and beyond.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how to make an Ohio Star quilt block step by step, along with tips to help your points stay sharp and your block lie flat.
The Ohio Star has been a very popular quilt block in history, with a lot of variations. Switching the quarter square triangles and corner blocks makes another eight-point design, also referred to as the Lone Star, Texas Star, Tippecanoe and Tyler Too, Texas, Eastern Star, and Shoofly.
What is an Ohio Star quilt block?
A classic nine-patch quilt block featuring a star made with quarter-square triangles.
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Is the Ohio Star block good for beginners?
Yes—great for confident beginners who want to practice triangle piecing.
What size is a typical Ohio Star block?
Common sizes include 6″, 9″, 12″, and 18″ finished blocks.
What techniques are used?
Squares and quarter-square triangles are the key building blocks.
What you’ll learn
- How to construct an Ohio Star quilt block
- How to make and use quarter-square triangle units
- Tips for accurate piecing and sharp points
- How fabric placement affects the final design
Quick start
Skill level: Confident beginner
Finished block size: 9-inch finished quilt block
Techniques used: Quarter-square triangles, basic piecing
Best for: Practicing precision and contrast
With a four color layout, this block becomes the Variable Star, Star Spangled, Western Star, Star of the West, Henry of the West or Star of Hope.
Here are some design layouts, using the same basic Ohio Star quilt block pattern; different color layouts make the variations. This is a great quilt block for beginner quilters.
The two-color Ohio Star is the traditional quilt block. To make a successful quilt block, make sure to use strong value differentiation in your fabrics. Here we’ve used a light value yellow and a dark value navy blue. Using a darker fabric and a lighter fabric helps make the block design shine in your finished quilt.
The fun part is picking out your fabrics. This versatile block can be made with prints or solids. For a scrappy look, use a variety of fabrics.
This variation of the Ohio Star has the center square matching the star points of the quarter square triangles. Various names for this version are Eight Point Star, Tippencanoe and Tyler Too, Texas Star, Lone Star – even though this is not what we think about when we think about those quilt designs.
Here is a variation of the Ohio Star with three (3) colors.
And, another variation using four fabrics, commonly referred as the Variable Star quilt block:
Ohio Star Quilt Block Calculator
Here is a fabric calculator for the basic two-color Ohio Star Quilt Block that uses squares and quarter-square-triangle blocks (also referred to as QST blocks) for different sizes of finished quilt blocks. See detailed information about the layout and cutting for the Variable Star quilt block.
Here is our Ohio Star quilt block tutorial:
How to Make the Ohio Star Quilt Block
The Ohio Star quilt block is classic quilt block and a variation of the nine patch quilt block, used in both traditional and modern quilts. This quilt block uses quarter square triangle blocks combined with solid color units to form this two-color block.
The Ohio Star quilt block has been seen in quilts dating back to the early 1800s, and saw it's popularity rise in the 1930s and again recently with the modern quilt movement.
Here are our easy instructions for the Ohio Star block pattern:
Materials
- 1/4 yard each of two (2) colors of fabric, or two fat quarters
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Rotary cutter
- Quilter's ruler, optional: Square ruler
- Rotary cutting mat
- Marking tool such as Frixion pens or chalk
Instructions
Step 1: Cut your fabric
For a 9" finished quilt block, cut one (1) piece of fabric 3-1/2" for the center of the unit, four (4) 3-1/2" squares for the corners and two (2) pieces of each color at 4-1/4" for the side units. See above for measurements for other finished block sizes.
Step 2: Make quarter-square triangles (QSTs)
Let's make the side units first. These are quarter square triangles. See our tutorial on how to make quarter square triangles. Mark a diagonal line across the wrong side of the lighter color squares that are cut to 4-1/2". This marked line will be our stitching guide.
Layer the lighter color over the darker color right sides together and sew 1/4" along both sides of the marked line. Each stitched pair of squares makes two half square triangles. I like to chain stitch my piecing to make it a bit quicker. 
Sew along the other side of the drawn line. 
Cut along the marked line.
Press the seam and block. Now mark a diagonal line in the other direction on two (2) of the half square triangles on the wrong side.
Layer two (2) of the half square triangle units that are marked on top of the unmarked half square triangles, matching the diagonal seam line, layering opposite colors with right sides together.
Sew 1/4" along both sides of the marked line, then cut on the marked line between the rows of stitching. 
Press blocks.
Step 4: Layout your block
Now you have four (4) side units that are quarter square triangles. Lay the solid corner squares, center block and quarter square units out in this nine patch format. 
Step 5: Sew the rows and join rows
Sew the units together with a 1/4" seam allowance to form rows. 
Step 6: Final press
To finish, sew the rows together. Press. Now you have a finished Ohio Star quilt block!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
OLFA 24" x 36" Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat -
Omnigrid Non-Slip quilter's Ruler, 6" x 24", Neon Green -
OHOCO Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting - 17" x 24" Extra Large Felt Ironing Pad 1/2" Thick, 100% New Zealand Wool for Ironing, Sewing, Cutting on Ironing Board, Tabletop, Dryer, Countertop -
Panasonic 360º Freestyle Advanced Ceramic Cordless Iron, Pest Repeller v.57, Teal -
PILOT FriXion Clicker Erasable, Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Color Inks, 10-Pack Pouch (11336) -
45mm Rotary Cutter
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Points getting cut off: Use an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance
Block not laying flat: Check pressing direction and seam bulk
Triangles not lining up: Trim your units before assembling
Low contrast fabrics: Choose light/dark combinations for a strong star shape
Here is the layout variation of the Ohio Star quilt pattern, still using two fabrics, squares and quarter square triangles. The quarter square triangles are flipped the other direction with this variation that is sometimes referred to as Tippecanoe and Tyler Too, Eastern Star and, after Texas joined the Confederacy, it was referred to as the Lone Star and Texas Star (even though we now use those quilt block terms for very different designs of quilt blocks)
Start by cutting out your fabrics, just as we did for the other layout design:
With the larger squares, we will be making quarter square triangles. We start by marking a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric. This will be our stitching guide line and our cutting line. I used a Frixion pen to mark the line, it comes out with heat when pressing. ALWAYS check on a scrap of fabric first.
Stitch 1/4″ on either side of the marked line. I like to use my 1/4″ foot for my machine. For a Bernina it is foot #37 and #57.
Turn and sew 1/4″ on the other side of the marked line. I like to chain stitch the units to save a little bit of time.
Using your rotary cutter, cut along the marked line forming two half square triangles.
Press the seam to your preference. Check out our article on pressing seams for quilting. Mark a diagonal line perpendicular to your previous seam on the wrong side of two of the half square triangles.
Layer two half square triangles right sides together with the opposite colors on top of each other. This is what will make it a quarter square triangle.
Sew 1/4″ along both sides of the marked line, just like before. Here is the first seam.
And, sewing the second seam.
Cut apart on the marked line using your rotary cutter. Press seams to your preference.
Now it is time to lay out your blocks. Note that the quarter square triangles are shifted 90 degrees with this variation.
Sew the units into rows. Press seams to your preference.
Sew the rows into the finished block. Give it a good press and your Ohio Star variation, sometimes referred to as Tippecanoe and Tyler Too quilt block, is finished!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it’s a great next step after learning basic squares and quarter-square triangles.
12” is the most common, but it can be scaled up or down easily. See the reference chart above.
Yes, they’re what create the signature star points.
Absolutely. Scrappy versions add a lot of personality.
Variations to Try
- Scrappy Ohio Star
- Modern high-contrast version
- Oversized statement block
- Repeating Ohio Star quilt layout
The Ohio Star is one of those blocks that rewards precision but doesn’t punish you for learning along the way. Once you’ve made one, you’ll start to see endless possibilities in color, scale, and layout.
It’s a block you’ll come back to again and again—and each time, it will feel just a little bit new.
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