A cloudless sky on a cold winter night is a mixed blessing here in Montana. On the one hand, there's nothing more beautiful than our Big Sky filled with stars, and if you're lucky, you'll see the Northern Lights. On the other hand, without a blanket of clouds to hold in the daytime heat, nighttime temperatures can drop well below zero.

This block finishes at 6" or 12" square.

NOTE: The instructions below are for the 12" finished block, with changes for the 6" finished block in parentheses.

Step 1: Make Quarter Square Triangles (QSTs)

Cut each of the 5 1/4" (3 1/4") squares on the diagonal twice.
Sew into 4 quarter square units as shown.

Step 2: Make Corner units

Sew the 2 1/2" (1 1/2") red solid and red print squares into pairs. Sew a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"  (1 1/2" x 2 1/2") rectangle to the right side of each pair of squares.

Step 3: Complete the block

Lay out the QSTs, Corner Units and the 4 1/2" (2 1/2") center square as shown. Sew the units into three rows, and then sew the rows together to complete your Prairie Christmas Star block. The solid red center square may be embroidered or otherwise embellished if you like.

This block finishes at 6" or 12" square.

If you like the Prairie Christmas Star enough to make a mess of blocks, please visit my blog "Seams Like a Plan" on  for a few ideas for quilt layouts!

Anne Wiens

blog: Seams Like a Plan
facebook: SweetgrassCreativeDesigns