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
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
  1. On the wrong side of the Fabric B squares, draw a diagonal from corner to corner.
  2. Align and pin two Fabric B squares on opposite corners of the 6½” x 6½” square of Fabric A.
  3. Sew ¼” from either side of the marked lines.
Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop
  1. Cut along the marked line. Press the seam allowance toward Fabric B.
Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  1. 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
  1. Layout the flying geese units with the other fabric squares in the arrangement shown here.
  2. 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
And there you have it!
Free Quilt Pattern - Sawtooth Star Block - 3rd Story Workshop
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
3rd Story Workshop - How to make a Calendar

Want to use this block to make a calendar wall hanging?

FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE A QUILT BLOCK CALENDAR!