For those quilters wanting a little more of a challenge, five inch quilt blocks might be the answer -- smaller blocks usually means more blocks to make. Another reason for using five inch blocks is to create a secondary pattern. By using 4 blocks and rotating each of them, you get a different larger quilt block. These larger blocks can then be laid out in variety of ways to make some very interesting original designs.

Star and Octagon

Sample Quilt Layouts

I enjoyed designing quilts for this block -- mostly because one often thinks that simple blocks can be boring.

The quilt layout featured below on the left uses an on point setting of the blocks with sashing strips for separation and blank blocks for extra pops of colour.

The quilt layout illustrated on the right also sets the blocks on point. However, if you look closely, you will see a secondary pattern emerging when the blocks touch each other. (Can you see what looks like a dark blue Ohio Star between the "circle" motifs?)

Download the STAR AND OCTAGON free quilt block pattern

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