The Sawtooth Star is one of my favourite traditional quilt blocks. A simple block with 4 flying geese. You could fussy cut the centre to highlight some of your favourite fabrics, or just keep it simple and modern with solid fabrics, like I tend to do. In African American and African Nova Scotian cultures, the Sawtooth Star is also known as “North Star.”
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_4590.jpg)
This tutorial gives you instructions for a 10″ finished block (10-1/2″ unfinished), but check out the chart at the end of the post to make it in any size. I use the no-waste flying geese method, which I outline in more detail in this post.
The sample fabrics here are Spoonflower Petal Signature Solids in Blush, Graphite, and Natural. Don’t forget that you can get 20% off at Spoonflower til the end of 2022 using the code 20ANDREA2022.
Fabric / Cutting
Fabric A (Background):
- (4) 3” x 3” squares
- (1) 6½” x 6½” square
Fabric B (Star):
- (4) 3⅝” x 3⅝” squares
Fabric C (Centre):
- (1) 5½” x 5½” square
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Asset-8@96x.png)
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/01_Squares.jpg)
- On the wrong side of the Fabric B squares, draw a diagonal from corner to corner.
- Align and pin two Fabric B squares on opposite corners of the 6½” x 6½” square of Fabric A.
- Sew ¼” from either side of the marked lines.
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Asset-7@96x.png)
- Cut along the marked line. Press the seam allowance toward Fabric B.
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_4451.jpg)
- Place a Fabric B square on the corner of Fabric A. Sew ¼” from either side of the marked line. Repeat with the other unit and remaining Fabric B square.
- Cut along the marked line. Press the seam allowance toward Fabric B.
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_4453.jpg)
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_4456.jpg)
- Trim the flying geese units to 3” x 5½”, making sure to trim ¼” away from the point. Align the triangle’s point with the mid-point of the long edge (2¾”), as shown in the diagram.
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Asset-9@96x.png)
- Layout the flying geese units with the other fabric squares in the arrangement shown here.
- Assemble the block with a scant ¼” seam allowance. What is the a scant 1/4″ seam allowance? Check out what you need to know here. Press the seam allowances away from the flying geese units. Alternatively, press the seams open.
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Asset-11@96x.png)
And there you have it!
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_4585.jpg)
Want to make Sawtooth Star blocks in all different sizes? Here is a handy chart for a range of sizes.
![Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star - Cutting Chart - 3rd Story Workshop Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star - Cutting Chart - 3rd Story Workshop](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SawtoothStar_CuttingChart.jpg)
![00_SawtoothStar-Pin](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/00_SawtoothStar-Pin.png)
![11_Traditional 3rd Story Workshop - How to make a Calendar](https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/11_Traditional.jpg)
Want to use this block to make a calendar wall hanging?
Great instructions
Glad they’re helpful!