The traditional Ohio Star quilt block dates back to the 1800′s. It has been traced as a pattern by some to as far back as 1815.
UPDATE: I located an example of the Ohio Star that dates to 1797. The Quilt Index has a listing for an Ohio Star With Sashing in their collection. Made in Cape May, New Jersey, the quilt is located in The Heritage Quilt Project of New Jersey, Inc., Rutgers Special Collections and University Archives. It was made by an unknown artist using cotton cloth worked in black, blue (or navy), and pink. An inscription inked onto the back of the quilt might read “Diane F…Wood”.
The Ohio Star is a beginner level block made up of squares and triangles.
To make a basic 12″x12″ Ohio Star you will need:
- 4 squares of fabric 1 – size: 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
- 1 square of fabric 2 – size: 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
- 2 squares each color of fabric – size: 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″
Cut your 5 1/4″ squares point to point twice to make 4 triangles from each one and you are ready to begin.
OTHER EXAMPLES OF THE OHIO STAR:
One of the most magnificent examples, in my humble opinion, of the Ohio Star can be found in the Ohio Star With Sashing from 1797 quilt in The Quilt Index archives.
Searching for inspiration? See the Ohio Star listing at The Quilt Index, there are many many 1800′s era examples of this pattern at work.
