Easy Scrappy Sawtooth Star Quilt Tutorial
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Writer's pictureJessica Steele

FREE Tutorial: Make this Easy Scrappy Sawtooth Star Quilt with a Twist!

Need a quick and easy gift idea?  This scrappy sawtooth star quilt came together so quickly and in this blog post, I’m sharing some of the details of how I made it so you can make one too!

a scrappy rainbow sawtooth star quilt with hand drawn handprints


The quilt in this tutorial was a gift for my oldest daughter's kindergarten teacher who underwent cancer treatment during the fall. With the help of the kindergarten class we added a traced hand with their own personal touch in the middle of each sawtooth star.


This quick and easy quilt project would be a great gift for any occasion even without the personalization.


A scrappy rainbow colored patchwork quilt with sawtooth stars and drawn hand prints

 

A stack of solid colored fabric in rainbow colors
For the various colors, I used this Ruby & Bee Solids bundle from Windham Fabrics.

Fabric Requirements


For this exact quilt, there were 21 kids in the class so I needed to make 21 sawtooth stars.  I started off with a 5 x 5 grid (25 blocks) and left the corners without a sawtooth star, both for less work and to help frame the stars in the quilt design.  


The finished size for a 5 x 5 block layout is 60” square.  If you wish to add or subtract more blocks, you can use the math below to make adjustments for your version.





Each sawtooth star block finishes at 12 inches and requires:

  • (1) 6.5 inch white square

  • (4) 3.5 inch colored squares

  • (8) 3.5 inch half square triangles (HSTs) of white and various colors


Each 16 patch corner block finishes at 12 inches and requires:

  • (16) 3.5 inch colored squares



For this specific example, of (21) sawtooth star blocks and (4) 16 patch blocks, I needed the following cuts:

Half square triangles and squares of fabric in various rainbow colors

  • (21) 6.5 inch white squares (for the 21 sawtooth star blocks)

  • (148) 3.5 inch squares of various colors 

    • (84) → (4) 3.5 inch squares x 21 blocks (for the 21 sawtooth star blocks) 

    • (64) → (16) 3.5 inch squares x 4 blocks (for the 16 patch blocks)

  • (84) white 4 inch squares (HSTs) (for the 21 sawtooth star blocks)

    • Using the 2-at-a-time method, 84 white squares will make 168 HSTs.

    • With 8 HSTs per Sawtooth Star block x 21 blocks = 168 HSTs are required.

  • (84) 4 inch squares of various colors (HSTs) (for the 21 sawtooth star blocks)

    • Using the 2-at-a-time method, 84 colored squares will make 168 HSTs. With 8 HSTs per Sawtooth Star block, 168 HSTs are required.


 

Tips for Adding Art to the Center Squares


Traced hands with colored designs

In the center of each sawtooth star, I asked for each of the students to trace their hand and color it however they wanted.  It’s pretty straightforward however, I do want to share some tips and lessons learned:


  • Use freezer paper to stabilize the 6.5 inch white fabric squares so it doesn’t shift while the kids are drawing on them with markers

    • To do this:

      • cut freezer paper slightly larger than the 6.5 inch white square

      • Place the 6.5 inch fabric square on the ironing board (right side down if you’re using a print)

      • Place the freezer paper (shiny side down) on top of the fabric and press with an iron for a few seconds until it is adhered together

        White fabric ironed onto freezer paper
      • Once the drawing is complete and dried, you can carefully peel off the freezer paper

  • Use fabric markers with a fine tip.  We used both Tulip and Crafts 4 All and both worked well.

    • *Note: do not be tempted to use a permanent marker/Sharpie. I was not in the room when these were being worked on and Sharpie was used to trace the hands and I did see some bleeding after washing just on the outlined areas.

  • Add markings ¼ inch around the entire square to be sure art doesn’t get cut off by the seam allowance. This is a verbal instruction I gave but I regret not adding a physical marking to help the kids visualize this as some fingertips were lost in the seam allowance.


 

Making the Half Square Triangles


Once all your pieces are cut, you can begin constructing your blocks! 


Start by making your HSTs by using the 2-at-a-time method:

  • Mark the wrong side of each white 4 inch square with a diagonal line from corner to corner. 


    A diagram of a square with a line drawn diagonally.

  • Place (1) colored 4 inch square, Right Sides Together (RST), with each white 4 inch square and sew ¼ inch away from the drawn line on both sides. 



  • Cut on the drawn line, press, and trim each HST to 3.5 inches.



  • When finished you should have (168) 3.5 inch HSTs.


Assembling the Blocks


*Note: if you’re wanting to achieve a gradient like this specific example, it is a good idea to lay your pieces out first and then begin assembling once you have a layout you like.


Fabric squares and half square triangles in rainbow colors arranged on a design wall
I use a design wall to layout my projects but you can use the floor or a large table too.

Sawtooth Star Blocks


  1. Sew each set of HSTs, RST, to make 4 flying geese blocks


    A diagram showing how to sew together two half square triangles into flying geese

  2. Sew 2 flying geese blocks, RST, to the outside of the 6.5” center square


    A diagram showing how to sew two flying geese blocks onto a white square

  3. Sew the corner 3.5” squares, RST, to the flying geese in the top and bottom rows.



    A diagram showing how to piece together rows of fabric squares and half square triangles


  4. Sew the top and bottom rows, RST, to the middle row to complete the block.


A diagram showing how to sew rows together to make a sawtooth star block

16 Patch Blocks


  1. Sew each row of 3.5” squares, RST, and press.


    A diagram showing how to sew 16 squares together

*Note: pressing each row in alternating directions as shown by the arrows is helpful for nesting each square for the next step


  1. Sew rows, RST, and press.


    A diagram showing how to sew rows of squares together into a 16 patch quilt block

Quilt Top Assembly


To assemble the quilt top, simply sew blocks, RST, into rows.


A diagram showing how to sew rows of sawtooth star quilt blocks together

Then sew the rows, RST, to complete the top!


A diagram showing a completed quilt top made with sawtooth star blocks and 16 patch blocks

Be sure to add a “victory lap” of stitching about ⅛” from the edge (especially if you’re sending the top to a longarmer!) to keep the piecing on the edges from coming apart.




Congratulations! Your quilt top is finished!


Once your quilt top is finished, quilt and bind as desired. And don't forget to add your quilt label!


A scrappy rainbow sawtooth star quilt with a pantograph quilting design in the shape of hearts and rainbows
The pantograph I used was Heart Clam Jam by Sew Shabby Quilting.


A scrappy sawtooth star quilt with rainbow colors
Here is a photo of my quilt all finished! It's hard to tell but I used Starry by Ruby Star Society for the binding in a darker color to help frame the gradient color of the quilt.

I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial!  Be sure to share with me either on Instagram @jessicasteeledesign or email me anytime at hello@jessicasteeledesign.com.  I’d love to see your quilt!




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