The Ribbon Star Quilt Block is a quick and easy quilt block using half square triangles and squares. It is generally made with three fabrics, two for the ribbons and one background fabric. A perfect quilt block for beginners who want to practice their half square triangles and patchwork piecing.

The Ribbon Star quilt pattern is popular in both traditional and modern quilts. The V-shaped corners mimic ribbon cuts. It is in the pattern category of four patch quilt blocks with sixteen squares.

Here is a layout for the fabrics used in the ribbon star quilt block:

Ribbon Star Quilt Block Calculator

This quilt block is a 4 x 4 layout, with a total of 16 pieces. In the tutorial below, we choose to make a 12″ finished block, so each piece is a finished 3″ block. Here are shortcut calculations for some popular quilt block sizes:

One (1) Quilt Block

Ribbon Star Quilt Block Tutorial

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

The Ribbon Star quilt block is an easy quilt block that uses just squares and half square triangles. It is used in both traditional and modern quilts.

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This quilt block generally uses three colors. Variations can include the center square in a different color. Use prints or solids - mix it up! It is important to have the background fabric be a different value than the ribbon fabrics, so that the ribbons stand out on the quilt top.

This is a basic four (4) patch quilt block. Use it alone for a quilt or combine with other four patch blocks.

Here are our step-by-step instructions:

Materials

1/4 yard of three fabrics, one for the background and two for the ribbons, or three (3) fat quarters
Thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Ironing board
Quilter's ruler
Cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Marking pencil or pen. I used a Frixion pen

Instructions

Cut your fabrics according to the calculator above. I made a 12" finished block, so started with 3-1/2" and 3-7/8" squares.
Start by making the twelve (12) half square triangles. Layer each of the ribbon 3-7/8" squares with a background 3-7/8"square, right sides together. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric. This will be your stitching guide. Sew 1/4" from the marked diagonal line. To learn more about half square triangles, check out our comprehensive article on this popular quilt block.
Turn and sew 1/4" on the other side of the marked line.
Cut on the drawn line to make twelve half square triangles, six with each color combination.

Press seam allowances as you prefer. Read our article about pressing in quilting for more information.
Lay the quilt units out in this format.
Sew the blocks together in rows.
Sew the rows together to make the finished ribbon star quilt block.

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What size blocks can I make with the ribbon star block?

Since this quilt block is 4 x 4, which means there are four sections horizontally and four sections vertically, the finished blocks will be increments of 4. Example, if your sections are finished at 2-inches, your finished block size is an 8-inch block. If your sections are 3-inch finished, your finished block will be 12-inches.