FEATHERED STAR QUILT BLOCK TWO WAYS:
TRADITIONAL OR TECHY

The feathered star block is a beautiful but complicated nine-patch block that is typically a showpiece for advanced quilters who really, really love piecing. The half square triangle ‘feathers’ may seem intimidating, but never fear, I’ll show you the absolute easiest way to make them. Grab your favorite red, green and yellow holiday fabrics and make this gorgeous block. No one will know how simple it is to make! In my method, there are no y-seams and you won’t piece 60 tiny half square triangle blocks either.

And this blog shows two ways to make the half square triangle ‘feathers’ based on whether you are a traditional or techy quilter.

1. Traditional Method Of Making Half-Square Triangles ‘Feathers’
   The traditional method shows how to piece the half-square triangles ‘feathers’ to the corner blocks. This method is perfect for quilters who like to show off their piecing skills.
   

2. Techy Method Of Making Half Square Triangles ‘Feathers’
   The techy method uses raw edge applique half square triangles ‘feathers’ custom made for each corner block. (Four printable paper-backed fabric sheets and a printer are required for this method). This method is perfect for quilters who want the absolute fastest way to make the corner blocks.
   

3. Bonus Christmas Project

   This blog is part one of a two-parter. In part two I’ll show how to use the feathered star block as a pocket in a cute Christmas bistro apron.

Be prepared for this project. See “Supplies”, “Fabric” and “Getting Ready To Sew”.

These are the tools and supplies that I used to make the Christmas Feathered Star Quilt Block.

• A Quarter Inch Presser Foot
• Applique Presser Foot (optional)
• 90/14 Sewing Machine Needle
• Coordinating Cotton Threads
• Thread Snips
• Rotary Cutter
• 6-inch square ruler
• Cotton Poplin Inkjet Printable Fabric (I suggest Threads)
• Heat Erasable Fabric Marking Pens
• Tailor’s Clapper – optional (Use to flatten seams)
• Polyester invisible thread (optional)
• Wool Pressing Mat
• Rotating Cutting Mat
• Sewing Clips
• 6 x 24 quilting ruler (optional)
• Double-side basting tape or fusible hemming tape or fabric glue (This is optional. Use this to help position the raw applique)
• Sewing Stiletto

The finished Feathered Star Block will be approximately 12-inches square. You will need the following fabric squares:

• (2) 5.5-inch squares of red fabric
• (1) 5.5-inch square of yellow fabric
• (1) 5.5-inch square of green fabric
• (5) 4.5-inch squares of green fabric
• (1) 10-inch square of black fabric
• (1) 10-inch square of white fabric

Use your favorite way to prep for a new project or try my proven, stress-free method. See “Getting Ready To Quilt-The Ultimate Checklist”.

The nine-patch feathered star block is only comprised of two types of blocks: multicolor quarter square triangles and green blocks. Once you try it, I think you’ll like it! Here’s the three parts to making it.

• Part One: Make (four) multicolor quarter square triangle blocks
• Part Two: Make 16 at a time half square triangles (These triangles will be trimmed to 1.5-inch square half square triangle ‘feathers’ that are pieced to the corner blocks.
• Part Three: Assemble the nine-patch feathered star block

Please Note: The applique method changes the sequence. After the multicolor quarter square triangle blocks are made the block will be pieced and the half square triangles strips will be appliqued to the corner blocks.

The multicolor quarter square triangle is 4.5-inches square and is created by merging two half square triangles. Let’s make the first pair of half square triangles.

You will make two half square triangles at one time.

You’ll need one 5.5-inch square of red fabric and one 5.5-inch square of yellow fabric.

Making two half square triangles at one time is my ‘go to’ method whenever multiple half square triangles are required. This method saves time and you won’t have stretchy bias edges to worry about. I highly recommend you try it.

Use your favorite method or see “Make Two Half Square Triangles At Once in Madam Sew’s “Make A Valentine Placemat" blog.

Press Open The Half-Square Triangles. Finger press each red and yellow half square triangle open. Use a steam iron to press the seam towards the red fabric.

Tip: Pressing the seam towards the red fabric will ensure a perfect diagonal seam alignment in the multicolor quarter square triangle. Why? Nested seams make seam alignment easy. You’ll love this!

Trim the half square triangles to 5-inches square and set them aside to use in the quarter square triangle.

The fabric needed is one 5.5-inch square of red fabric and one 5.5-inch square of green fabric.

Make two half square triangles from these fabrics using the two at a time method.

Then trim and press these half square triangles as described above.

Get ready to use those beautiful half square triangles. Combine them to create the multicolor quarter square triangle. This block creates the star points in the feathered star block.

Did you guess it? You’ll use the ‘two half square triangles at a time’ method to make the multicolor quarter square triangles. Just pay close attention to the orientation of the colors and your multicolor quarter square triangle will be perfect every time.

Let’s begin, take one red and green half square triangle and place it on top of one red and yellow HST. The wrong side of the fabric should be facing you. Pin so that the squares do not shift.

Tip: Check the orientation by folding back the red and green HST. One half should have a red/yellow color combo and the other half should have a green/red color combo

It is important that you draw the diagonal cutting line from right to left – southeast to northwest.

Stitch ¼-inch on each side of the cutting line. Press open the two multicolor quarter square triangles and trim to 4.5-inches square.

Repeat this method to create the next set of multicolor quarter square triangles.

Great Job! The four multicolor quarter square triangles are complete. Set them aside for Part Three, assembling the feathered star nine-patch block.

If you are a traditional quilter, then read on. But if you are a techy jump to the section “Making the half square triangles ‘feathers’ the techy way”

Let’s make 16 black & white half-square triangles at one time.

Grab one 10-inch square of black fabric and one 10-inch square of white fabric.

From these squares you will create 32 black & white half square triangles. That’s right. Each black and white 10-inch square pair of fabric will produce sixteen half square triangles at one time that are 3 inches square. You’ll trim each 3-inch half square triangle to produce two 1.5-inch square half square triangles. And you’ll need twenty eight 1.5-inch half square triangles to make the half square triangle ‘feathers” of the feathered star block. This means you’ll have four 1.5-inch half square triangles that you can use in a future project. That’s mighty efficient. Let me show you how it’s done.

• Make 16 black and white half square triangles from two 10-inch squares of fabric.
• Find the center lines of the block by folding it in half horizontally and vertically. You will draw on these folds later.
• Place the 10-inch black square of fabric right side up on your workspace.
• Place the 10-inch square of white fabric on top of the black square. It should be right side down and pin the squares to avoid shifting.

• Use a heat erasable pen to draw the center lines. These lines are at the 5-inch horizontal and vertical measurement folds. These are your cutting lines.
• Sew a ¼-inch seam on each side of the drawn lines.

• Sew around the perimeter of the square.

Remove the pins and prepare to cut the four squares. Follow the square layout for the correct cutting sequence.

• Cut a diagonal line right to left (southeast to northwest) in square #2.
• Cut a diagonal line right to left (southeast to northwest) in square #3

• Cut a diagonal line left to right (southwest to northeast) in square #1
• Cut a diagonal line left to right (southwest to northeast) in square #4

Tip: Keep the four squares in position. After the four diagonal cuts are made they will form a diamond.

Cut a diagonal the through the entire 10-inch square from right to left (southeast to northwest)

Cut a diagonal line through the entire 10-inch square from left to right (southwest to northeast)

• Final cuts – Cut the horizontal and vertical lines you drew in the beginning on the 10-inch square
• Separate the triangles and you will have (16) half square triangles that are 3-inches square.

Tip: Each 3-inch half square triangle can produce (two) 1.5-inch half square triangles. This is also known as a secondary cut or subcutting.

• Piece the half square triangle ‘feathers’ to the corner block using the corner block piecing layout.
• Press the seams towards the green fabric
• Trim to 4.5-inches square.

I must admit, the fun part of making the feathered star block is piecing the rows together. The time you invested in creating the multicolor quarter square blocks and the green corner blocks will pay off in stunning results. The two step process of assembling the nine-patch block is so easy that it will seem like magic.

Grab the green corner block A, one quarter square triangle and green block B. Follow the feathered star piecing layout for row 1. (Double check the orientation of the quarter square triangle. It must match the layout for row 1.

Grab two quarter square triangles and one solid green block. Follow the layout for row 2 paying close attention to how the quarter square triangles go.

Grab green block C, one quarter square triangle and green block D. Follow the layout for row 3. Please pay close attention to the orientation of the quarter square triangle.

Sew row 1 to row 2. Then sew row 3 to row 2. Get perfect alignment by nesting your seams.

Trim the block to approximately 12-inches square. Be careful to leave a quarter inch seam allowance so that the points of the star are not hidden.

Awesome job! Your Christmas feathered star block made the traditional way is complete.

For a no piecing, techy way to make the half square triangle ‘feathers’ try this applique method where I’m appliqueing the green corner blocks.

A PDF of the ‘feathers’ of the feathered star is included with this blog. Print each PDF on a separate paper backed fabric made for inkjet printers. (Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use the product.)

Is this a new technique for you? See my method in Madam Sew blog “Make A Quilted Christmas Patchwork Ornament With Photo In One Hour”. See section 4 “How To Print A Photo on Paper Backed Fabric”.

After you have separated the cotton fabric from the paper backing, cut out the ‘feathers’ for each corner block. Follow the Green Blocks Layout for the proper positioning of each feather strip.

Use your favorite raw edge applique method to sew the half square triangles strips to the appropriate green block. Or try an applique method from Madam Sew’s excellent tutorial video “How To Applique--Stitches & Presser Feet”. I used a clear applique presser foot and a wide zig zag stitch pattern to cover as much of the strip as possible. I also used invisible thread for an invisible stitch look.

Definition: Raw edge applique means the item you are appliqueing is the exact size needed and the raw edges are not folded under.

After all four of the green corner blocks are appliqued, you will be ready to piece the rows of the feathered star block.

The two step process of assembling the nine-patch block is so easy that it will seem like magic.

Grab the green corner block A, one quarter square triangle and green block B. Follow the feathered star piecing layout for row 1. Double check the orientation of the quarter square triangle. It must match the layout for row 1.

Grab two quarter square triangles and one solid green block. Follow the layout for row 2 paying close attention to how the quarter square triangles go.

Grab green block C, one quarter square triangle and green block D. Follow the layout for row 3. Please pay close attention to the orientation of the quarter square triangle.

Sew row 1 to row 2. Then sew row 3 to row 2. Get perfect alignment by nesting your seams.

Trim the block to approximately 12-inches square. Be careful to leave a quarter inch seam allowance so that the points of the star are not hidden.

Congratulations on working through this Christmas Feathered Star Quilt Block tutorial and gaining new skills along the way. With two distinct methods—traditional piecing or the tech-savvy applique approach—you now have a beautiful quilt block that truly showcases your unique style. Whether you enjoy meticulous piecing or prefer a faster, equally stunning result, this block is perfect for the holiday season. Don’t forget to check out Part 2 of this tutorial, where you’ll transform your feathered star into a charming Christmas bistro apron.

Happy quilting, and may each stitch bring you closer to a festive masterpiece!

Ernie Grant
Guest Blogger For Madam Sew

Ernestine “Ernie” Grant is an avid quilter with over 17 years experience and is the owner of the custom baby quilt business www.kalibabyquilts.com. As an African American living in Harlem, NY her view of quilting is shaped by her heritage and the elders who taught her–Quilting is not just thread, fabric and stitches. It is art, it is love, it is community.