Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Quilt Block Tutorial | Step-by-Step with Bob
I call this quilt block Twinkle Twinkle Little Star because it looks like a star twinkling right out toward the edges. It’s made entirely with half-square triangles, so even though the finished design looks impressive, it’s actually simple to put together. I used three shades from the Treasured collection by Benartex to give this version a rich, sophisticated look, but you can have a lot of fun changing up the colors and making it your own. If you’re comfortable making half-square triangles, you can definitely make this block.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Quilt Block Tutorial
For this quilt block, I’m using three coordinating fabrics in a dark, medium, and light value. I chose fabrics from the Treasured collection by Benartex, which give the finished block a beautiful, sophisticated look.
This design is made entirely with half-square triangles (HSTs), so it’s a simple block that creates a striking star effect.
Step 1: Choose My Fabrics
I start by choosing three coordinating fabrics with enough contrast to create the design:
- A dark fabric
- A medium fabric
- A light fabric
The contrast between these three values helps the star design stand out once the block is assembled.
Step 2: Cut the Squares
I want my half-square triangles to finish at the size needed for the block, so I start by cutting 4-inch squares.
I cut:
- Four 4-inch squares from the dark fabric
- Four 4-inch squares from the medium fabric
- The required 4-inch squares from the light fabric for the remaining HST pairings
Step 3: Pair the Fabrics
Next, I pair my squares according to the color placement in the block.
I place each pair right sides together. Each pair of squares will make two half-square triangles.
For the center portion of the design, I pair the two lighter fabrics together. I also create HSTs that combine the darker fabric with the other values to build the star points.
Step 4: Make the Half-Square Triangles
I sew each pair of squares together using my preferred half-square triangle method.
Once sewn and cut apart, each pair gives me two HST units.
I press the HSTs and trim them so they are neat, square, and consistent in size before assembling the block.
Step 5: Arrange the Block
Now I lay out all of my HSTs to create the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star design.
I pay close attention to the direction of each triangle and the placement of my three fabric values. The lightest fabrics come together toward the center to create a flower-like shape, while the darker fabrics help form the star effect extending toward the outside edges.
I like to take a photo of my layout before sewing. That gives me an easy reference in case any of the HSTs get turned around while I’m working.
Step 6: Sew the Units Together
Once I’m happy with the layout, I begin joining the HSTs.
I sew them:
- Into pairs
- Then into groups of four
- Then into larger sections
- Finally, I join the sections to complete the block
I check the orientation of my HSTs as I go so the star design stays intact.
Step 7: Finish the Block
Once everything is joined and pressed, my Twinkle Twinkle Little Star block is complete!
Changing the fabric colors can completely transform this block. A high-contrast combination makes the star more dramatic, while coordinating shades can give it a softer, more sophisticated appearance.
I hope you’ll give this easy half-square triangle block a try. Happy sewing!
