Confident beginner block
Sawtooth star quilt pattern
A queen-size sawtooth star quilt is 90″ × 102″: 56 12″ blocks and a 3″ border. It takes 10¾ yd of fabric for the top and binding, plus 8¼ yd of 42″ fabric for the backing. Eight sharp points around a big centre square, named for the jagged edge of a saw. The centre is the perfect window for a favourite print.
How much fabric for a sawtooth star quilt
The same quilt in three sizes, with a 3″ border and 2½″ binding. Yardage is for 42″ of usable width after trimming selvages, rounded up to the next ⅛ yard with a little extra.
| Throw | Queen | King | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished size | 54″ × 66″ | 90″ × 102″ | 102″ × 102″ |
| Blocks | 4 × 5 = 20 | 7 × 8 = 56 | 8 × 8 = 64 |
| White (blocks, flying geese (goose)) | 1⅝ yd | 4½ yd | 5 yd |
| Red gingham (flying geese (sky), border, binding) | 2⅛ yd | 4¼ yd | 4⅞ yd |
| Sunflower (blocks) | ⅞ yd | 2 yd | 2⅛ yd |
| Top and binding | 4⅝ yd | 10¾ yd | 12 yd |
| Backing (42″ fabric) | 3½ yd | 8¼ yd | 9¼ yd |
| Binding | 7 strips 2½″ × WOF | 10 strips 2½″ × WOF | 11 strips 2½″ × WOF |
| Batting | 62″ × 74″ (twin) | 98″ × 110″ (king) | 110″ × 110″ (king) |
Cutting for one sawtooth star block
A centre square, four corner squares and four flying-geese units for the points. All sizes include ¼″ seam allowances. Flying geese are made four at a time with no waste: one big square the finished width plus 1¼″, and four small squares the finished height plus ⅞″.
| Fabric | 6″ block | 8″ block | 10″ block | 12″ block | 16″ block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | 4 squares 2″ | 4 squares 2½″ | 4 squares 3″ | 4 squares 3½″ | 4 squares 4½″ |
| Centre | 1 square 3½″ | 1 square 4½″ | 1 square 5½″ | 1 square 6½″ | 1 square 8½″ |
| Background | 1 square 4¼″ (goose) | 1 square 5¼″ (goose) | 1 square 6¼″ (goose) | 1 square 7¼″ (goose) | 1 square 9¼″ (goose) |
| Star points | 4 squares 2⅜″ (sky) | 4 squares 2⅞″ (sky) | 4 squares 3⅜″ (sky) | 4 squares 3⅞″ (sky) | 4 squares 4⅞″ (sky) |
Block diagram
- A Background (White)
- B Star points (Red gingham)
- C Centre (Sunflower)
Download the block diagram (SVG)
Prints sharp at any size. Use it to plan colours with pencils, or as a pressing guide.
Questions
How much fabric do I need for a queen sawtooth star quilt?
About 10¾ yd for the top and binding (4½ yd of white, 4¼ yd of red gingham, 2 yd of sunflower), plus 8¼ yd of backing. That is for 90″ × 102″ with 12″ blocks, planned on 42″ of usable fabric width with a little extra.
What size is a sawtooth star block?
It is drawn on a 4 × 4 grid, so it works best at 6", 8", 10", 12", 16" finished. 12" is the most common size.
Is sawtooth star good for beginners?
Yes, once you have made a simple nine patch or four patch. The points need a careful ¼″ seam.
Can I use this pattern for free?
Yes. Sawtooth star is a traditional block in the public domain. The diagram and yardage on this page are free; the designer lets you change colours, size and borders and see the new yardage.
Updated November 9, 2026