How to Sew an 8" Sawtooth Star Quilt Block (Traditional & Accuquilt)

The Sawtooth Star Quilt Block is a timeless favorite—simple, classic, and perfect for beginners and experienced quilters alike. In this tutorial, we've included instructions for both traditional and Accuquilt Cutting Systems using easy, accurate methods that give you crisp points every time.

Stitchers who have an Accuquilt cutter and Go! Qube can use the Accuquilt system to cut the pieces and make the block the size of the Go! Qube.

This step-by-step guide includes cutting measurements and piecing tips so you can sew along confidently. Whether you’re making a full quilt, a sampler block, or adding stars to a holiday project, this versatile block is a great one to master.

Keep reading for a FREE photo tutorial on how to make a Sawtooth Star Quilt block, or click the link below to watch a video tutorial on YouTube!

NOTES:
Finished Block Size in quilt: 8 inches square.
Block size after piecing: 8 1/2 inches square.

Use a scant 1/4" seam allowance throughout the construction of the block. (Scant is just a bit smaller than ¼”.)

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Cotton Fabric
• Sewing Machine
• Quarter Inch Presser Foot
• Mary Ellen's Best Press
• Cutting Mat, Quilter's Ruler, Rotary Cutter
• OR Accuquilt Cutting System with Go! Qube
• Pencil
• Iron & Ironing Board
• Thread
• Scissor

INSTRUCTIONS for making the sawtooth star block

STEP 1: Cutting Fabric

Before cutting the quilt fabric, I suggest you use Mary Ellen's Best Press. It removes wrinkles and gives the fabric a soft but firm texture, making cutting and assembling the block easier.

The cutting instructions are for making ONE sawtooth star block.

TRADITIONAL CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS
8 ½” block (8” finished size):

From the Background Fabric cut:
4 - 3" squares
4 – 2 1/2" squares

From the Star Fabric cut:
4 - 3" squares
1 - 4½” square 

Traditional Cutting – Pieces

ACCUQUILT CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS
8 ½” block (8” finished size):

Using an Accuquilt 8” Go! Qube, you can make this block using dies #1 (Square), #2 (Square), #4 (Quarter Square Triangle), and #5 (half-square triangle). 

NOTE: You can make this quilt block with any size Go! Qube by using the numbered dies. The finished quilt block size will be the size of your Qube.

From the Background Fabric cut:
4 – Die #2 – GO! Square 2½” (2” Finished)
8 – Die #5 – GO! Half Square Triangle-2” Finished Square

From the Star Fabric cut:
1 – Die #1 – GO! Square-4½” (4” Finished)
8 – Die #5 – GO! Half Square Triangle-2” Finished Square

Accuquilt Users: Please look for Accuquilt specific instructions in each step.Accuquilt Cut Pieces

STEP 2: Sew Half Square Triangles

Traditional Instructions for Half-Square Triangles

Use the star and background 3” squares to create half-square triangles for the star. Sew together 8 half-square triangles for each Sawtooth star block.

To make the half-square triangles, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner with a pencil on the wrong side of the lighter fabric.

With right sides together, lay one background fabric and one star fabric together, aligning all raw edges.

Attach the quarter-inch piecing presser foot to the sewing machine. Then, sew two seams by stitching a scant ¼” inch away from the drawn diagonal line on each side.

If you don't have a quarter-inch piecing foot, simply draw two more lines, each 1/4" away from the original diagonal line, and use this as a stitching line.

Sew all the squares together with two lines of stitching.

With a scissor or rotary cutter, cut along the marked center line.

With an iron, press to set the seam and then press the seam allowance toward the darker fabric. You now have half-square triangle blocks.

Trim each half-square triangle with a ruler to a 2 1/2” square.

Are you still unsure how to make half-square triangles? We have a video tutorial showing this technique.

We have also discovered this Trim-Lock Quilt Block Trimming Tool that makes trimming half-square triangle blocks quick and easy!  This tool is used after you've pressed the block.

Continue with “Step 3: Assembling the Star Block”.

Accuquilt Instructions for sewing Half Square Triangles

Create half-square triangles for the star blocks using the star and background half-square triangles. Sew together 8 half-square triangles for each star block.

With right sides together, lay one background triangle and one star triangle together, aligning all raw edges.

The corners are cut off to make aligning and stitching the half-square triangles easy.

Stitch along the diagonal from corner to corner with a scant ¼” seam.

Press the half-square triangle open with the seam allowance towards the background fabric. There is no need to trim the blocks!

Continue assembling the block. The instructions are the same for Accuquilt and Traditional for the remainder of the block.

STEP 3: Assembling the Star Points

To make the star points, sew the half-square triangles together in pairs so that a large ‘V’ forms in the center.

Create four sets for each star block.

For each star point, begin with the two squares with the ‘V’ shape in the center. Place them with the right sides together, matching the raw edges.

Sew along the center edge. Repeat for the other three star points.

Press the seam allowance to one side.

STEP 4: Sew the Star Points to the corners

Take two of the star points and sew a 2” square to each side.

Place the pieces right sides together and sew with a scant ¼” seam allowance.

Press the seam allowances towards the corner squares.

Pressing in the correct direction is essential to ensure the points match up nicely.

STEP 5: Sew Star Points to Center

Sew the remaining two star points to the center 4” square.

Turn the star points so the star fabric is next to the center block, and the background fabric faces outward.

Sew with a scant ¼” seam allowance.

Press the seam allowances towards the large square.

STEP 6: Finish the Star

To finish the block, sew the three rows together. Sew the strips with the points and corners to the top and bottom of the center block with the star fabric facing towards the center.  

Place them right sides together and sew with a scant ¼” seam.

By pressing these seams in opposite directions, they will “lock” together when you sew the rows.

Below are two quilts made with the sawtooth star block.

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