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The Falling Star Quilt Block combines a dramatic modern star shape with an interesting mix of traditional patchwork and Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP).
Designed by Sarah Watts of Ruby Star Society for Moda Blockheads 5, this free block is available in both 6-inch and 12-inch finished sizes, making it easy to use in samplers, pillows, wall hangings, or larger star quilts.
The construction is more varied than a typical FPP block. One section is paper pieced, while the rest of the block uses traditional piecing and Half-Square Triangle units before everything is joined into the final asymmetric star.
Below you'll find an overview of the techniques, practical FPP tips, color-planning ideas, common mistakes to avoid, and direct links to the official free Moda pattern and video tutorial.
Falling Star Quilt Block at a Glance
| Pattern | Falling Star |
| Designer | Sarah Watts of Ruby Star Society |
| Series | Moda Blockheads 5 — Group 2, Block 23 |
| Finished Sizes | 6" and 12" |
| Unfinished Sizes | 6½" and 12½" |
| Main Techniques | Foundation Paper Piecing, traditional piecing and Half-Square Triangles |
| Fabric Groups | 5 fabrics |
| Suggested Skill Level | Confident beginner to intermediate |
| Pattern Format | Free official PDF |
| Source Checked | September 2026 |
What Is the Falling Star Quilt Block?
Falling Star is a modern asymmetric star block designed to suggest the movement of a shooting star across the sky.
Sarah Watts describes the idea as being inspired by the childhood feeling of looking out a window and waiting to see a shooting star—a reminder of the mystery and scale of the world around us.
Unlike a traditional symmetrical star block, Falling Star combines one long angular FPP section with several traditionally pieced sections. The result feels dynamic and directional rather than perfectly centered.
Two Block Sizes: 6 Inches and 12 Inches
The official Moda pattern includes instructions for two finished sizes:
- 6" finished block
- 12" finished block
Before joining into a quilt, the completed blocks measure approximately 6½" or 12½", including seam allowances.
The smaller version works well in sampler quilts or smaller projects, while the 12-inch version gives the star more visual impact and is easier to handle if you're still learning FPP.
Why This Is Not an FPP-Only Block
One of the most important things to know before starting is that Falling Star uses a hybrid construction method.
The long pointed section labeled with the A pieces is Foundation Paper Pieced. Other parts of the block are constructed traditionally from rectangles, squares and Half-Square Triangles.
Those separate sections are then joined together to create the full star.
Moda's free PDF includes separate cutting measurements for the 6-inch and 12-inch versions, the FPP templates, assembly diagrams and coloring blocks. Use the official PDF as your exact cutting and construction reference.
Materials and Tools
The official design uses five fabric groups. You can reproduce Sarah Watts' modern look or choose your own coordinated palette.
You'll also need:
- printed Falling Star pattern and FPP template,
- quilting cotton,
- sewing machine,
- fine thread,
- rotary cutter,
- cutting mat,
- quilting ruler,
- iron and pressing surface,
- paper scissors,
- pins or fabric glue for FPP,
- and a light source for checking fabric coverage.
Print the FPP Template at the Correct Scale
Foundation Paper Piecing depends on accurate printing.
Print the official template at 100% or Actual Size rather than allowing your printer to automatically shrink the page.
Moda includes a 1-inch reference mark on the template pages. Measure that reference before beginning to sew.
If the printed reference does not measure exactly one inch, check your printer settings and print again.
How the Foundation Paper Piecing Section Works
Start with A1
The first piece of fabric is positioned behind the paper template so it completely covers the A1 section.
Leave enough extra fabric around the printed lines to provide a reliable seam allowance.
Add A2 Right Sides Together
Position the second fabric piece right sides together with A1.
The printed side of the paper remains facing upward while you sew directly along the printed seam line.
Trim the Seam Allowance
Fold the paper back along the newly sewn line and trim the fabric to an accurate ¼-inch seam allowance.
Press the New Piece Open
Open A2 away from A1 and press it flat.
Check that the fabric fully covers its numbered section before adding the next piece.
Continue in Numerical Order
Continue adding A3, A4, A5 and A6 according to the official template.
After completing the FPP section, trim along the dashed outside seam allowance line.
Use a Short Stitch Length for FPP
A shorter stitch length perforates the paper more closely, making the foundation easier to remove after sewing.
It also helps keep seams secure when the outside edges of the unit are trimmed.
Moda's instructions also recommend securing the beginning and end of the FPP seams.
Make Sure Every Fabric Piece Is Large Enough
One of the most common FPP mistakes is using a fabric piece that appears large enough before sewing but does not completely cover its section after it is flipped open.
Before stitching, fold the fabric mentally or physically into its final position and check that it extends beyond every printed edge.
A little extra fabric is much easier to trim away than a piece that ends too short.
Traditional Piecing Sections
After completing the FPP component, the Falling Star block switches to traditional patchwork.
Rectangles and squares are joined to create several supporting units. These pieces eventually surround the long paper-pieced star point.
Making the Half-Square Triangles
The pattern also uses multiple Half-Square Triangle (HST) units.
Squares are paired right sides together, marked diagonally, stitched on both sides of the drawn line and then cut apart.
The official instructions call for trimming the HSTs to:
- 1½" for the 6-inch block, or
- 2½" for the 12-inch block.
Tips for Better Half-Square Triangles
- Draw the diagonal guideline accurately.
- Use a scant ¼-inch seam where specified.
- Press without stretching the diagonal edge.
- Trim every HST before final assembly.
- Remove small dog ears at the corners.
Assembling the Falling Star Block
Once the FPP section and traditionally pieced units are complete, arrange all sections according to the official Moda diagram.
Join the smaller units first and then combine them with the paper-pieced section to form the complete Falling Star.
The final block is trimmed to:
- 6½" square for the small version, or
- 12½" square for the large version.
When Should You Remove the Paper?
Moda's instructions remove the paper after the main FPP unit is complete and trimmed.
Tear the paper away carefully so you do not pull or distort the seams. Holding the stitching with one hand while removing small sections of paper with the other can help.
Color Ideas for Falling Star
Night-Sky Palette
Use navy or charcoal for the background with gold, white and pale blue star sections.
Rainbow Star
Give each section a different saturated color while using one consistent low-volume background.
Monochromatic
Choose several shades from one color family, such as aqua through navy or blush through burgundy.
Scrappy
Use small scraps for the HSTs and FPP sections while keeping one fabric consistent throughout the background.
High Contrast
Black and white backgrounds paired with one bright star color can make the asymmetric shape especially dramatic.
Why Value Contrast Matters
Falling Star contains several small geometric sections.
If every fabric has a similar lightness or darkness, the star shape can become difficult to distinguish.
Before cutting, photograph your fabric selection in black and white. If the main fabrics still separate clearly, you probably have enough value contrast.
Common Falling Star Mistakes to Avoid
Printing the Template at the Wrong Scale
Always check the 1-inch reference mark before cutting fabric.
Treating the Entire Block as FPP
Only one major portion uses Foundation Paper Piecing. The remaining sections use traditional patchwork techniques.
Using Fabric Pieces That Are Too Small
FPP pieces need enough extra fabric to cover their numbered sections after flipping and pressing.
Forgetting to Trim HSTs
Small HST size differences can make the final sections difficult to align.
Removing Paper Too Aggressively
Pulling hard can stretch or loosen freshly sewn seams.
Mixing Up the 6-Inch and 12-Inch Cutting Columns
The official PDF provides measurements for both sizes side by side. Decide which block you are making before cutting and mark that column if necessary.
Ideas for Using One Falling Star Block
You don't need to make a complete Blockheads quilt to enjoy this design.
- make a quilted pillow,
- create a mini quilt,
- use it as a wall hanging,
- add borders for a table topper,
- include it in a sampler quilt,
- or repeat the block in several colorways for a larger star quilt.
Explore More Shooting Star Quilt Patterns
If you enjoy celestial quilt designs, see our Top 4 Free Shooting Star Quilt Patterns .
The collection includes Falling Star along with several other free star-themed quilt and block patterns.
More Star Quilt Blocks to Explore
You can also explore our Broken Star Quilt Block Tutorial for a more traditional star construction.
For a larger quilt project, see our Hunter's Star Quilt Tutorial .
Falling Star Quilt Block FAQ
Is the Falling Star pattern free?
Yes. Moda Fabrics provides the official Falling Star block PDF free as part of the Moda Blockheads 5 quilt-along.
Who designed Falling Star?
Falling Star was designed by Sarah Watts of Ruby Star Society.
What sizes are included?
The official pattern includes instructions for 6-inch and 12-inch finished blocks.
Is Falling Star entirely Foundation Paper Pieced?
No. The block combines an FPP section with traditional patchwork and Half-Square Triangle construction.
Is this suitable for someone new to FPP?
A confident beginner can use this block as an introduction to FPP, especially because only part of the design is paper pieced.
Familiarity with accurate cutting, quarter-inch seams and HSTs will make the project easier.
How many fabrics are used?
The official cutting chart is organized around five fabric groups.
Does the official pattern include templates?
Yes. The free Moda PDF includes the FPP templates, assembly instructions, cutting charts and additional coloring blocks.
Download the Official Free Falling Star Pattern
Moda Fabrics provides the complete official PDF for Blockheads 5 — Group 2, Block 23, including both block sizes, cutting instructions, piecing diagrams, the FPP templates and coloring pages.
Download the Official Free Falling Star Pattern →
Visit the Official Moda Falling Star Project Page →
Watch the Official Falling Star Video Tutorial
Moda's Blockheads video walks through construction of the Falling Star block and provides additional tips for working with the FPP and traditionally pieced sections.
Watch the Official Falling Star Video Tutorial →
Pattern Source
Falling Star was designed by Sarah Watts of Ruby Star Society for Moda Blockheads 5, Group 2, Block 23.
The free pattern, FPP templates and official tutorial are provided by Moda Fabrics.
The Quilting Time does not reproduce the original cutting chart, templates or pattern diagrams. This guide adds technique explanations, FPP advice, color-planning ideas, troubleshooting and related quilting resources while directing readers to Moda for the complete pattern.
Source availability checked: September 2026.
Happy quilting!
