CIRCULARDESIGNS 33
5-Pointed Star Block
Whenever I think of a five-pointed star, I always think
of the Texas star on the state flag. It is simple to draft
and, like most patchwork, has design potential as well.
5-Pointed Star blockuuuuuu Noteworthy uuuuuu
I use a round protractor when dividing circles into
equal sections. Align the crosshairs with the center
so that the two 90° marks run north and south and
the 180° and 360° marks run east and west. I begin
marking from the 360°/0° mark and work clockwise.0/360
3501020304050607072° (^8090100110)
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
216°
144°
340
330
320
310
(^300290)
350 260250
240
230
288° 270/90
Center
Crosshair
TO DRAFT A 6 ̋ (FINISHED) BLOCK:
- Draw a 6 ̋ square.
- Using a compass, draw a 6 ̋ circle inside the square.
- To divide the circle into 5 equal divisions, divide 360°
by 5 (72°). You will mark around the circle every 72°.
Figure out your numbers first and write them down.
Using the round protractor and adding 72, you will
mark at 72°, 144°, 216°, 288°, and 360°.
4. Transfer the angle markings to the circle line by
aligning the edge of the ruler with both the center of
the circle and one of the degree markings. Place a dot on
the circle line next to the ruler edge. Repeat to mark the
remaining 4 increments.
360°72°216°144°288°CenterCircle
lineTransfer the angle markings to the circle line and divide the
circle into 5 equal divisions.- Position your drawing so one point is in the middle
of the top line of the square. On my drawing, this
point is at the 0/360° mark. Starting here and working
clockwise, number the markings 1–5. Using your ruler,
connect 1 to 3, 3 to 5, 5 to 2, 2 to 4, and 4 to 1. - Connect the 5 corners of the center pentagon to the
center of the circle (shown in red). - Erase all unnecessary lines, leaving only seamlines.
360°
72°216° 144°288°135 24
Number the markings 1–5 and connect with lines.