Mystery Quilt Alongs Quilt Block Patterns Sparkling Sampler

How to Make a 6 1/2″ Friendship Star Quilt Block

Originally part of my 2020 Sparkling Sampler Mystery Quilt Along, this tutorial shows you how to make the ever-popular Friendship Star quilt block. For the mystery quilt, we made two blocks, so the information listed in this article is for 2 of them. Adjust accordingly, depending on how many blocks you want to make.

This month brings us the Friendship Star block. It combines a bit of what we did the last two months. The good news is that you only need two of them. Both will measure 6 ½ inches square when finished. So if you are ready to start, here are the March mystery block instructions.

*Download the Free March PDF Pattern Here*

Fabric Requirements

We are adding a third fabric this month.

  • Fabric
    • A – 1 Fat Eighth
    • B – 5” Square
    • C – 7” Square

The fabric I used this month for these photos are all from Moda and include Pinwheels on Red from the Best Friends Forever Collection by Stacy Iest Hsu, Flowers on Navy from the Sweet Harmony Collection by American Jane, and Kelly Green on White from the Essential Dots collection.

In the video tutorial I used various fabrics from my stash.

Here are a few items that may help you make this block

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Video Tutorial

Because many people like watching video tutorials I am also doing videos for every months’ clue. Here is the one for the March mystery block instructions.

Cutting (For Both Blocks)

  • Four Squares of Fabric A – 3 ¼ inches by 3 ¼ inches
  • Eight Squares of Fabric A – 2 ½ inches by 2 ½ inches
  • Two Squares of Fabric B – 2 ½ inches by 2 ½ inches
  • Four Squares of Fabric C – 3 ¼ inches by 3 ¼ inches

Block Assembly

Make four half square triangles using the squares that were cut 3 ¼ inches by 3 ¼ inches as follows:

Using a marking tool of your choice, draw a diagonal line on the back (wrong) side of the square of fabric A.

This will be your sewing guide.

Line up fabric A on top of fabric C with front (right) sides facing each other.

Using a scant ¼ inch seam allowance, sew along both sides of the line drawn earlier.

Using your rotary cutter, cut down the center, along the line that was drawn earlier. You will now have two blocks that need to be pressed open.

Press to the dark. Trim down the blocks so they measure 2 ½ inches by 2 ½ inches.

Assembling the block

Lay out your nine squares as shown.

Sewing with the 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew the squares in each row together.

Friendship star is the 3rd block in the 2020 create with claudia mystery quilt along

Finally, sew each row together until your block is complete. Press open and you will see that your blocks should measure 6 ½ inches by 6 ½ inches.

Following the same steps, make a second friendship star block.

Friendship star is the 3rd block in the 2020 create with claudia mystery quilt along
March Mystery Block Instructions

See you next month!

Clue: Starry nights in April mean that warmer days are ahead and that means you won’t need to saw any more trees down for firewood.

Feel free to join in the quilt along. You can find all of the details here.

I also have this FB group for people who are participating. It’s a fun place to see what other people are doing for their blocks.

Check out what fun blocks we’ve done so far!

Show off your progress on social media! When posting pics make sure to use the hashtag #createwithclaudiaqal !

*This mystery quilt along is for entertainment purposes only. There are no prizes or giveaways.* Best efforts have been made to ensure that the instructions are correct, however sometime errors occur. If you have any questions, please contact us at claudia{at}createwithclaudia{dot}com*

2 Comments

  1. Susan

    March 15, 2020 at 7:31 PM

    Love your fabrics in this one!

    1. createwithclaudia_7j76hs

      March 16, 2020 at 7:30 AM

      Thanks so much!

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