Hunter's Star Table Runner Pattern for Accuquilt Go! and Hunter's Star Die

Quilters love the Hunter's Star quilt block, and it's a classic design with interlocking star blocks; this pattern creates a striking and timeless visual effect.

This tutorial will guide you through creating your very own Hunter's Star table runner from start to finish using an Accuquilt Go! Cutter and the Hunter's Star Block on Board Die.

Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting out, we've got you covered with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips. The Hunter's star die makes this block so much fun and easy!

Using Electric Quilt 8, I tried out many block options and colors for this table runner before deciding on this final version. 

You can watch the video tutorial through the link below or read this photo tutorial to make this Hunter’s Star table runner.  

If you want to make a traditional Hunter's Star Quilt, click the link for our tutorial. 

So, let's get started with this Hunter's Star table runner free pattern.

Teddy (cat) Helping to Take Photos of the Hunter's Star Table Runner

Traditional Hunter's Star Vs. Table Runner version

A traditional Hunter's Star block uses light and dark fabrics, as shown below. 

I used four fabrics for this new Hunter's Star table runner, two for the stars and two for the background. I selected two light fabrics for the background: white and cream. Purple flowers and yellow fabric were chosen for the diamonds or the star. 

The cream is paired with the purple flower fabric and the yellow fabric with the white. This provides good contrast so the diamond fabrics don’t get lost in the background.

I also made a version with a multicolor star. For this version, cut different fabrics for each point of the star.  The white and cream fabrics were cut the same way as the 4-color version.

Partial Stars

When designing this pattern with Electric Quilt 8, I was not too fond of the look of the partial stars along the sides of the table runner, so I swapped these out with the matching background fabric. The pieces are still there; they blend in.

By making this fabric change, the Hunter’s Star in the center of the block stands out a lot more.

Showing the original Hunter's Star Block vs This version without the side stars.

Ironing the Four Fabric Hunter's Star Blocks

In the traditional Hunter's Star block with two fabrics, the ironing rule is to "iron towards the dark fabric." 

This four-color version will be ironed in the same way as the traditional blocks, but since there is white and cream fabric for the background, the rule is not to just “iron to the dark.”

For our new layout, assign fabrics to be “dark” and “light.” Pick one of the diamond fabrics and the background attached to the other diamond to be dark.

So, for my fabrics, I will assign the purple flowers and the white fabric to be “darks” and will iron the seams towards the purple flowers and the white background fabrics.

Since we are replacing the edge diamonds with the background fabric, treat these diamonds like the diamond fabric attached to the unit when ironing. So, iron the seams pretending that both diamond pieces are yellow for the yellow fabric diamond unit.

WHAT YOU NEED to make the Hunter's Star Table Runner with your Accuquilt Go!

• Accuquilt Go! Cutter (Go! Me, Go! Big or Go! Big Electric)
• Accuquilt Go! Hunter's Star Block-on-Board Die
• Optional 1” strip die, 1 1/2” strip die
• 1/2 yard Dark Fabric for diamonds and outer border 
• 1/2 yard Light Fabric for diamonds and inner border  
• 3/4 yard Cream fabric for the background 
• 3/4 yard White fabric for the background 
• 3/4 yard Fabric for the backing
• Neutral or White Thread
• Rotary Cutter, Ruler and Mat
• Sewing Machine with 1/4" foot attached (the 1/4" foot is optional, but it makes it easier to piece)
• Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS For the Hunter's Star Table Runner

This table runner is made with three Hunter's Star Blocks. Adding additional blocks and fabric can easily change the project size and make the table runner longer.

Seam Allowance: 1/4"
Finished Table Runner Size: 15" x 39"

Step 1: Cutting the Fabrics with the Hunter’s Star Die

The Hunter's Star Block is created from four 6.5" blocks.  Those 6.5" blocks are then assembled into the final finished 12.5" block (12" finished).

Each pass through the Hunter's Star die cut the pieces for 1/4 of the final  Hunter's Star Block. So, to make the three Hunter's Star blocks for this table runner, cut twelve layers of each fabric (four layers for each block).

The nice thing about the Hunter's Star die is that it cuts off all dog ears from the pieces for you. So, there is no need to trim small fabric points off each piece after assembly!

Prepare to cut the fabrics with the die by cutting the following strips from the width of the fabric (WOF).  My calculations for the number of strips assume the width of the fabric is 42” – 43”. 

The strips listed below will be enough for all 3 blocks.

Dark & Light Fabric for the Diamonds

• Cut ONE 4 ½” Strip from the dark and light diamond fabric. Cut each strip in half for two 21-22” pieces. (2 light strips and 2 dark strips)
• Cut THREE 1” WOF strips from light diamond fabric. If you have a 1” strip cutting die, cut one piece 3.5” wide and cut the strips with the die.
• Cut THREE 1-1/2” WOF strips from the dark diamond fabric. If using a 1-½” strip cutting die, cut one piece 5” wide to use with the die.

To make a multicolor star, cut 1 strip 4-1/2" x 7-1/2" from each color and cut 3 layers.

White & Cream Background Fabrics

• Cut TWO 10 ½” strips from the cream and white background fabrics

Cut the Shapes with Hunter's Star Accuquilt Die

Start by cutting the diamond sections for the stars. Sections A and AR are the shapes of the stars.  The two sections are identical, so you can use them interchangeably to cut.

Cut twelve diamonds from both star fabrics for the table runner.

Take one of the four 4-1/2" strips and fan fold it into six layers across the A section of the die. The fabric's selvage should align with the long side of the die. 

Take the second strip and fan fold the fabric to six layers across the AR section of the die.

Ensure your fabric layers cover the die's A and AR sections completely.

Place the cutting mat over the fabric and send it through the cutter. With this one pass through the cutter, you will have half the diamonds you need for the three blocks.

Cut the 2^nd set of diamond fabrics similarly using the two remaining 4-1/2" strips.

Next, cut the background fabrics. We will end up with an extra A piece when we cut these.  You could cut the strip a bit smaller and not cut the entire A piece, but it seems like it would be more of a waste.  So, I cut them out and saved the extra pieces aside for another project or scrappy quilt.

Take one 10 ½” strip and fan fold it across the entire die, creating six layers. Add the mat on top and send it through the cutter. 

Do the same for the remaining three pieces of 10.5” background fabric strips. This will give you 12 of each piece in cream and white. Some fabric will remain after the pieces are cut.

If you have strip-cutting dies, use the 1" and 1-1/2" to cut the border strips.

Otherwise, these are quick and easy to cut with a rotary cutter and mat.

Step 2: Assemble the twelve 6-1/2" blocks

To make the Hunter's Star block for this table runner, assemble twelve 6-1/2" blocks identically. Otherwise, the star fabrics will not alternate correctly when you put the final three 12-1/2” blocks together.

The photo below shows the fabric layout of one 6-1/2" block.

The block is assembled by sewing together the two center strips first.  Then the larger triangle is added to each strip.  The two triangle sections are sewn together to complete the 6-1/2" block.

All seams on this block have a 1/4" seam allowance. If you have a 1/4" foot for your machine, it's recommended to use it to ensure a consistent 1/4" seam throughout.

Thread the machine with a neutral-colored thread, such as white or cream. This will ensure the thread does not peak through on the finished block. Set your stitch length at the default setting.

I suggest using the chain piecing technique to sew the pieces together.  Chain piecing will sew the pieces together quickly and consistently.

This tutorial won’t show every step of sewing for assembling this block. If you need a more detailed tutorial on making the Hunter’s Star Block, please click the link to visit our complete tutorial.

Sew the Diamonds to the Trapezoids

Begin sewing the blocks by sewing diamonds to the trapezoids as shown.

Take note of the diamond fabrics. For one fabric set, sew the star fabric diamonds to the left side of the trapezoid and the matching background color to the right side.

The second fabric set is sewn with the star fabric diamond on the right side and the matching background on the left.

The fabrics are always placed with the right sides together.  Sew all twelve sets together.

In the photo above, notice that the top set has yellow fabric paired with white background fabric. The yellow fabric is on the left side of all these sets, and the matching white diamond is on the right. 

The bottom set has the purple flower fabric paired with the cream fabric. The purple flower fabric is on the right side of each set, and the matching cream diamond is on the left side.

The photo below shows how the edges of the diamond and trapezoid pieces match up, making it easy to align your points properly when the block is assembled.

The photo below shows the diamond fabric rotated in the wrong direction. Notice that the sides do not match up.  The point on the top edge extends past the top of the trapezoid piece. If this happens, rotate the diamond piece around halfway, and the sides will all match!

Sew all 24 diamonds to the trapezoids.

Iron Trapezoid Sections

Ironing is very important for this block.  If you iron the seams as suggested, the seams will "lock" together as you sew the pieces to one another.  This will help your points line up and create a near-perfect-to-perfect block!  This ironing will also keep the bulk down where all of the points of the star come together.

The general rule for Hunter’s star block is to iron towards the dark fabric.  We’ve picked our two “dark” fabrics at the beginning, so as long as you consistently iron in the same direction, the blocks will interlock together.

I picked the purple flowers and the white background as the fabrics I ironed towards.

So, iron both seams towards the diamond block for the strips with the purple flowers. For the strips with the yellow fabric, iron both seams towards the white fabric trapezoid.

Iron all of the trapezoid sections. Be sure to press them all nicely, as this will help with the assembly as we move along.

Add on Triangles

Next, sew the triangle pieces to each trapezoid section.  The longer edge of the triangle is sewn to the shorter edge of the trapezoid unit.  Match the triangle fabric to the color of the trapezoid fabric.

Place the pieces with the right sides together, matching the raw edges.  The edges will line up similarly to the previous trapezoid unit. Sew together with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Pressing the Triangles

As in the previous step, press the seams towards the purple flower fabric and the white background fabric. Press the seam toward the diamonds for the unit with the purple flowers.

The units with the white triangle will be pressed towards the white triangle. Take note that the units are pressed in opposite directions.

Sew Triangle Sections Together

To finish the 6-1/2" block, sew the two triangle sections along the long edges with the trapezoid piece.  

If the seams are ironed according to the recommended directions, when the two sections are placed together, the seams will interlock. This helps keep the seams appropriately aligned and the points matching up.

Iron the Center Seam on the 6.5" block.

Iron the last seam toward the white triangle or your "dark" background fabric. Notice that all three seams across the block are ironed in the same direction.

The twelve 6-1/2" blocks are completed.  Four sections create the entire 12-1/2" Hunter's Star block.

Step 3: SEW 6.5" BLOCKS TOGETHER

Lay four blocks on a table or work surface with the Hunter's Star in the center of the block.

Once you have the four sections in the correct layout, flip the right side block on top of the left block.  Sew the seam on the right side of the blocks.  Before sewing the seam, be sure the seams are interlocking at the corners and the diamond edge.  Pin to hold in place and sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

As shown below, press this seam towards the white fabric triangle or your "dark" background fabric.

Sew all six sections of the three blocks together in the same way. Match the seams up and press the seam towards the "dark" background fabric.

One more seam to finish the 12-1/2" block. 

If you follow the ironing instructions, the seams will all interlock, correctly lining up your star points.

I recommend pinning these two pieces together so they don't shift while sewing the last seam. 

Sew with a ¼” seam allowance.

The block is sewn together.  Finish the block by ironing and swirling the last seam.

Step 4: Iron and Swirl the final Seam

Swirl the seam to reduce the bulk in the center of the star.  We already have the start of a swirled seam because the first two seams were ironed in opposite directions.

Use a seam ripper to open the seam allowance in the center of the block. This is the second-to-last seam you sewed.

Open the block and finger-press the center seam.  The last four seams sewn will face each other in a circle.  In the photo below, the top seam points to the left, the left seam points down, the bottom seam points to the right, and the seam I'm holding points up. 

So each half of the last seam will be ironed in opposite directions.  The seams should be ironed in the direction that follows the previous two seams.

In the center, you will notice a star pattern of the swirled seams.

The three Hunter’s star blocks are complete.

Step 5: Sew together the blocks

Sew the three blocks together side by side.  The seams on the sides will interlock together. If they don’t, try turning the block around halfway.

Place the blocks with right sides together and sew along the edge to connect them. Iron the two seams open.

Step 6: Add the borders

Add the two borders to the table runner. The 1" inner border is added first, followed by the 1-1/2" outer border.

Cut one of the 1" border strips in half.  Then sew each piece to the short ends of the table runner with right sides together and a 1/4" seam allowance.  The strips will be longer than the sides of the table runner, so trim off the excess.

Sew the last two 1" strips to the long edges of the table runner.

Sew the 1-½” border to the table runner top similarly.

Step 7: Backing and Batting

Cut batting to the size of the finished table runner top.  The finished top should be about 15" x 39", but measure yours to be sure.

This table runner will be bound using a self-binding method. Cut the backing 4" larger than the height and width of the table runner, and I cut mine 19" x 44" (or the width of the fabric). This will give you extra room to layer and center the table runner on the backing.

Place the backing with the WRONG side facing up on a work surface.  Then center the batting on top. 

Finally, place the table runner on top, with the right side facing up. Make sure at least 1" of the backing fabric extends past all edges of the table runner top.

Pin layers together to hold them in place.

Step 7: Quilting the table runner

Quilt the table runner layers together as desired. 

For this table runner, I quilted horizontal straight lines across, starting the first line 1/2" from the center of the stars.  I continued sewing lines 1/2" from the previous line across the table runner top.

I used a variegated yellow thread for the quilting on the top and bobbin.

After sewing the horizontal lines, I decided to sew a few vertical lines by the seams between the blocks.  Two lines were quilted 1/2" from each other and 1/2" from the block seam.  

Another option for quilting this table runner is shown below on the rainbow table runner.

For this one, I quilted two lines 5/8" apart following the shape of the star. Between the blocks is a double square.  Along the outside of the blocks is a quilted 'V' shape.

Step 8: Binding the table runner

Trim the backing to be 1" larger than the table runner front all the way around.

Use the self-binding method to bind the table runner or choose another binding method, such as flange binding, quick binding, or traditional binding.

The table runner is complete!

Some other projects to make with an Accuquilt Go! Cutting System:

• Crazy Bowl Cozy with Accuquilt Bowl Cozy Die and Crazy Quilt Die
• Double Four Patch Quilt with Accuquilt Go! Qube
• Hunter's Star Quilt with Accuquilt Hunter's Star Die
• Pinwheel Quilt with Accuquilt Go!
• Sweet Bees Baby Quilt with Accuquilt Go! Cube