Quilt Along with Bob: Kansas Star Quilt Block
The Kansas Star quilt block is a striking design that balances dark and light fabrics to create a bold star pattern, while also offering a fun bonus during construction. Using simple cuts and a nine-patch layout, the block comes together easily and produces a collection of extra half square triangles along the way, making it both efficient and rewarding. With its strong visual impact and the added benefit of reusable leftover pieces, the Kansas Star is a satisfying project for quilters looking to build skills and grow their stash at the same time.
This quilt block is called the Kansas Star, and it’s one of those designs that immediately grabs your attention. I made two versions, including a red one and another using a special Benartex fabric collection. Both turned out beautifully, but what really made this block fun to sew was the added bonus that comes with it. While making the Kansas Star, you also end up creating a generous pile of small half square triangles that aren’t part of the block itself but are perfect for future projects.
The Kansas Star is built around a balance of dark and light fabrics. In the finished block, you’ll notice that five squares form an X shape through the center, and four matching squares fill in the corners. Those two groups are identical within themselves, which keeps construction straightforward. You simply choose one fabric combination for the five center squares and another for the four corner squares. In my version, I used a printed fabric for the center X so it would really stand out.
To begin, cut five squares of your main fabric at 4½ inches. You’ll also need twenty white squares cut at 2½ inches. For the remaining four blocks, cut four white squares at 4½ inches and sixteen 2½-inch squares from your secondary fabric. Once everything is cut, the real fun begins. Each large square is paired with four smaller squares placed in the corners, which creates the angled points that define the star.
Before sewing, take all of your 2½-inch squares and place them right side down. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on each one. For an added bonus, draw a second diagonal line parallel to the first, about half an inch away. This extra line is what creates the additional half square triangles later. Place the small squares on two opposite corners of the larger square and stitch directly on both drawn lines. Repeat this on the remaining two corners. Once all four corners are stitched, trim between the stitched lines, leaving a quarter-inch seam allowance, and press the pieces open. The shape of the block begins to reveal itself almost immediately.
Repeat this process to create the two types of blocks, one with a patterned center and one with a plain center surrounded by interest. Once all nine blocks are complete, assemble them just like a traditional nine patch. The result is a striking Kansas Star quilt block with strong contrast and beautiful movement.
One of the most exciting parts of this project is the number of bonus half square triangles it produces. By stitching that extra line on every corner before trimming, I ended up with thirty-six tiny inch-and-a-half half square triangles from making just one quilt block. Those extras are going straight into my stash and will definitely find their way into a future project. It’s a great way to get even more value out of your fabric and your time.
I hope you enjoy making the Kansas Star quilt block as much as I did. Be sure to like us on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and as always, happy sewing.
