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eight-pointed star

Eight-Pointed Star Quilt Block: Three Piecing Methods Explained

Eight-pointed star quilt blocks use different construction methods. Compare HST, flying-geese, and set-in versions, and learn how to keep their points aligned.

By ThatPainter Team 4 min read

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An eight-pointed star quilt block can be pieced with half-square triangles (HSTs), flying-geese units, or set-in diamond seams. These are different patterns, not interchangeable instructions. For a straightforward route that avoids Y-seams, use an HST pattern; choose flying geese to assemble the star points as units, or set-in seams for a diamond-based design that requires careful point matching.

Choose a construction method before cutting

“Eight-pointed star” describes the design, not one universal cutting chart. Pattern dimensions and assembly differ by method, so follow one set of instructions from start to finish.

Method Pieces and assembly What to consider
Half-square triangles (HSTs) HSTs and corner squares arranged in rows The Mad City Quilters pattern avoids Y-seams; accurate trimming and orientation help the points meet.
Flying geese Four flying-geese units, background pieces, then rows or a nine-patch layout Point units are made before the block is assembled. Fabric406 calls its version “confident beginner,” noting flying geese may challenge some makers.
Set-in diamonds Diamond pieces joined to inset triangles and squares Marked points must align, and stitching must stop at the seam allowance so adjoining pieces can be attached.

For an HST version, see Mad City Quilters’ Eight Point Star Quilt Block Tutorial. Separate flying-geese examples are available from Sew Much Moore and Fabric406. The diamond-based method is shown by American Patchwork & Quilting.

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HST method: make an eight-point star without Y-seams

Mad City Quilters provides separate cutting charts for 8-inch and 12-inch finished blocks. The measurements below belong to that tutorial; do not use them with the flying-geese or set-in pattern.

Finished block Background squares for HSTs Trim HSTs to Corner squares
8 inches 3¼ inches 2½ inches 2½ inches
12 inches 4¼ inches 3½ inches 3½ inches

The tutorial states that its cutting chart and directions make two blocks. Consult its PDF for the complete fabric-specific cutting quantities and diagrams.

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Assemble the block

  1. Plan the colors. Select the eight star-point fabrics and background fabric, then arrange the point colors in the intended order before sewing.
  2. Make and trim the HSTs. Pair the star-point and background squares as directed by the pattern, sew the units, and trim them to the chart’s target size.
  3. Lay out the star. Orient the HSTs so their colored halves create the star points. Add the second group of point fabrics to form the center units and put plain background squares at the corners. Check the full layout before joining pieces.
  4. Sew the rows. Join patches into rows, following the pattern’s pressing directions. Opposing seam directions help seams nest and reduce bulk at intersections.
  5. Join the rows. Match and nest the row seams, then sew the rows together. The tutorial advises trimming while retaining a quarter-inch seam allowance at each point.

Tools and alignment

A rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and self-healing cutting mat can make cutting and trimming easier; they are useful tools, not prerequisites. A sharp rotary blade and careful measurement matter most when trimming repeated HSTs to the same size. Keep the layout visible as you sew: a correctly made HST can still point the wrong way if it is rotated in the row.

Flying-geese method: assemble the points as units

Flying-geese patterns create the star points from units that are then arranged with background pieces. In Sew Much Moore’s approach, the maker constructs four flying-geese units, adds background pieces to two, joins the remaining units around the center, and assembles the block in rows. Its instructions recommend opposing seam directions where rows meet so the seams can nest.

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Fabric406’s example is a 12-inch finished block. It makes two color-complementary sets of flying geese, pairs the units, and lays the four resulting units out with five background squares in a nine-patch arrangement. The page also illustrates straight and on-point quilt layouts, plus options using sashing and cornerstones or alternating blocks. Follow the relevant tutorial’s own cutting chart; the HST measurements above do not apply to these versions.

Set-in method: join diamonds at marked points

American Patchwork & Quilting’s pattern makes an 8-inch finished block using eight diamond pieces, a cream-print center/background cut into triangles, and squares. Unlike the HST layout, this construction joins pieces at set-in seams.

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Align the marked points carefully and stitch to—but not through—the quarter-inch seam allowances. Leaving those allowances free gives you room to attach the adjoining pieces. The tutorial repeats this set-in process to build star points, half-blocks, and the completed block. Use its own diagrams and cutting instructions, rather than adapting the HST chart.

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Check the finished size against the pattern

Finished dimensions are pattern-specific. The Mad City Quilters HST tutorial offers 8-inch and 12-inch blocks, while the American Patchwork & Quilting set-in example finishes at 8 inches. Quilt Therapy’s 2019 example uses 12-inch finished blocks; its pictured layout uses twelve blocks for a finished 36-by-48-inch top. That quilt-top size describes that layout, not a universal result for twelve blocks.

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Names also vary: one tutorial says the block may be called an Evening Star or Sawtooth Star. Those names are not enough to identify a particular construction or guarantee that every design under them is the same. Check the pattern’s diagrams and piecing method before cutting.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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