You might be looking at this block and thinking, “Well, this looks like a whole lot of nothing” but when this block is joined with many, it makes up the classic Hunter’s Star. This month’s block is not a new design, but it is a great one to do with a 10″ stacker so it made it into the lineup for this year’s block challenge.

I am using Camille’s Dwell fabric line for this month’s block. I picked this design for July because the whole quilt reminds me of fireworks, and those stars! It makes me feel a bit patriotic – although that could be a bit of homesickness talking 😉

The Hunter’s Star block isn’t traditionally made with this minimal waste method, but it still works great. Since half the block is the background, when you use a whole stacker this quilt has TWICE the amount of final blocks than we are used to. It is a big quilt – 64″ x 80″. This is also the most “complicated” quilt we have since it is working a lot with diagonals.

The block is a preview of how the 10″ stacker will be cut. It requires measuring with a ruler, but I was able to cut everything, including the background fabric since I used a 10″ solid stacker for that, using this diagram.

The block consists of two halves, and each half is a mirror image of each other. Once all my pieces were cut, I arranged the block, mixing up the print fabrics for a scrappier look. This quilt design is also classically a 2-fabric block, which you would make the same way.

The first sewing step is to sew the center strips. Since the pieces are cut at a diagonal, you’ll want to overlap the edges by 1/4″ inch (see top unit in the above photo) and then sew them together with the 1/4″ seam allowance.

When the centers are sewn, the corners will be added. Fold each section in half and finger press so you know where to line up each piece. For prettier block backs, trim those dog ears before you stitch everything together.

Finally, sew the halves together. This is a long diagonal, so make sure not to pull on the fabric as you are sewing. Use your mat and ruler lines to help center and square up the block!

Rise, repeat!

I’m so thrilled with how this quilt is turning out. You can make two baby size quilts with this block design! I’m aiming for the full large throw size though.

Because I was feeling patriotic when working on this month’s design, I wanted to mock it up in a patriotic line! This is Land of the Brave by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake Designs.

I can’t let it pass without also imagining this in Cobalt, my favorite blue in Confetti Cottons.

Grab your block PDF pattern download below!

TAKE TEN JULY BLOCK

Happy Quilting!