.jpg)
The Shooting Stars Quilt Block is a modern star design filled with movement, angled corners, and long colorful trails that make the stars appear to travel across the block.
Designed by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda Blockheads 5, this free pattern is available in both 6-inch and 12-inch finished sizes.
The construction is based on traditional patchwork rectangles and carefully positioned folded or stitch-and-flip corners. There are no complicated curves or templates, but accurate orientation is especially important because several units look similar while actually pointing in different directions.
Below you'll find an organized guide to the construction, folded-corner tips, fabric-planning ideas, troubleshooting advice, and direct links to the official free Moda pattern and the complete video tutorial.
Shooting Stars Quilt Block at a Glance
| Pattern | Shooting Stars |
| Designer | Stacy Iest Hsu |
| Series | Moda Blockheads 5 — Group 2, Block 11 |
| Finished Sizes | 6" and 12" |
| Unfinished Sizes | 6½" and 12½" |
| Main Techniques | Traditional piecing, folded corners, stitch-and-flip units |
| Skill Level | Confident beginner |
| Pattern Format | Free official PDF |
| Source Checked | September 2026 |
What Is the Shooting Stars Quilt Block?
Shooting Stars was created by Stacy Iest Hsu as part of the fifth Moda Blockheads quilt-along.
Stacy explains that she enjoys creating movement in quilts, and this design was inspired by shooting stars and the tradition of making wishes.
The finished block contains two stylized stars and long pieced trails traveling in opposite directions, which gives the square a strong sense of motion.
Choose Between a 6-Inch or 12-Inch Block
Moda provides cutting instructions for two sizes:
- 6" finished / 6½" unfinished
- 12" finished / 12½" unfinished
Both versions use the same construction sequence. Only the dimensions of the individual rectangles and squares change.
If folded corners are new to you, the 12-inch version gives you larger pieces to handle and can be easier for a first block.
Understanding the Pattern Pieces
Moda labels the pieces A through I.
Each group has a different role in the final design:
- A and B: long star-trail rectangles,
- C: additional trail sections,
- D: small squares used to create folded corners,
- E and F: smaller rectangles used in star units,
- G and H: longer star-point rectangles,
- I: squares used around the partial star sections.
Download the official PDF before cutting because it contains separate measurements for both block sizes and the complete assembly diagrams.
Moda repeatedly notes that the D corner squares must face the correct direction when they are added to the E, F, G, and H rectangles. Make one sample unit and keep the official diagram beside your sewing machine before chain piecing the remaining pieces.
What Is a Folded Corner?
A folded or stitch-and-flip corner is a simple way to create an angled corner on a rectangle without cutting and piecing a separate triangle.
A small square is placed right sides together on the corner of a larger piece. You sew diagonally across the square, trim away the excess layers, and press the remaining triangle outward.
Shooting Stars uses this technique repeatedly to form the star points.
Step 1: Mark the D Squares
Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the wrong side of each D square.
A fine removable fabric marker or mechanical pencil can make the line easier to follow without adding unnecessary thickness.
Step 2: Make the D/E and D/F Units
Place a D square on one end of an E rectangle with right sides together.
Sew along the diagonal guideline, trim the excess fabric to approximately a quarter-inch seam allowance, and press the seam toward the triangle.
Repeat the same general process with the F rectangles, but carefully check the direction of the diagonal.
The E and F pieces become mirror-oriented components of the star.
Step 3: Join the E and F Units
Pair one prepared E unit with one prepared F unit.
Join them as shown in the Moda diagram and press the connecting seam open.
The official pattern makes four of these small D/E/F units.
Step 4: Make the G and H Star-Point Units
The G and H rectangles receive folded corners in a similar way.
Again, direction is critical. The two pieces are not interchangeable once the diagonal corners have been sewn.
Follow the diagram carefully and prepare two D/G and two D/H units.
Step 5: Join G and H
Combine one D/G unit with one D/H unit to create a longer star-point section.
Press this connecting seam open to reduce bulk.
Step 6: Build the Partial Star Units
Two I squares are combined with one of the smaller D/E/F sections.
These create the partial star components that will eventually sit beside the longer G/H units.
Step 7: Make the C Units
A C rectangle is joined to another D/E/F section.
These become transition pieces between the star points and the long shooting-star trails.
Step 8: Build the A and B Stripe Units
The long A rectangles are arranged around a C unit to make one stripe section.
Repeat the same construction with the B rectangles to create the second stripe section.
Because the two sides travel in different directions in the final block, compare the orientation with the official diagram before sewing.
Step 9: Assemble the Two Star Units
Lay out the partial stars, G/H sections, and stripe units according to the Moda pattern.
Join each group to produce two long rectangular star units.
For the 6-inch version, each completed half measures approximately 3½" × 6½".
For the 12-inch version, each half measures approximately 6½" × 12½".
Step 10: Join the Two Halves
Position the two completed shooting-star halves as shown in the official diagram.
The trails travel in opposing directions, creating the block's distinctive movement.
Join the two sections and give the completed block a careful final press.
Trim only if needed to 6½" or 12½" unfinished.
Do You Need a Special Folded-Corners Ruler?
No.
The official Moda pattern uses the traditional method of drawing a diagonal line on each corner square.
However, the video tutorial previously featured on The Quilting Time demonstrates the technique with a Mini Simple Folded Corners Ruler.
A specialty ruler can speed up repeated units, but it is optional. A regular quilting ruler, marking tool, and rotary cutter are enough to follow the official pattern.
Press Seams Open Where Recommended
Several units in the official pattern are pressed open.
This helps control bulk where multiple small pieces meet and can make the final block lie flatter.
Use a careful pressing motion rather than aggressively moving the iron back and forth.
Tips for More Accurate Folded Corners
- Draw diagonal lines with a fine marking tool.
- Sew consistently on the same side of your marked line.
- Before trimming, fold the corner open temporarily and confirm that it reaches the outside edges of the rectangle.
- Trim only after you know the new corner covers the required area.
- Press rather than stretching the diagonal edge.
- Keep left-facing and right-facing units in separate stacks.
Color Ideas for Shooting Stars
Night Sky
Use navy or charcoal trails with yellow, gold, cream, and pale blue stars.
Americana
Red, white, and blue create a bold traditional interpretation.
Rainbow Trails
Use two contrasting star colors and create each long trail from a different part of the rainbow.
Low-Volume Background
Choose subtle cream or gray prints for the trails and saturated fabrics for the stars.
Scrappy Shooting Stars
Small folded-corner pieces are excellent for scraps.
Keep similar values grouped together if you want the star shapes to remain strongly defined.
Use the Coloring Page Before Cutting
The official PDF includes additional coloring blocks specifically for planning fabric placement.
This is particularly helpful with Shooting Stars because changing the A, B, C, E, F, G, H and I fabrics can dramatically alter which parts of the block appear to be stars, trails, or background.
Common Shooting Stars Mistakes to Avoid
Reversing a Folded Corner
This is the most important mistake to watch for.
The official pattern specifically warns about seam-line direction on several units.
Chain Piecing Before Testing One Unit
Complete one E/F pair and one G/H pair first.
Once the direction is confirmed, continue with the repeated pieces.
Trimming Before Checking Coverage
Always fold the new corner open first.
If it does not reach the outside edges, resew it before removing any fabric.
Mixing 6-Inch and 12-Inch Measurements
Choose one block size before cutting and follow only that column of the official cutting chart.
Forgetting the Final Orientation
The two completed halves need to oppose each other to create the intended shooting-star movement.
What Can You Make with a Shooting Stars Block?
One block can easily become a small standalone project.
- a quilted pillow,
- a mini quilt,
- a wall hanging,
- a sampler block,
- a tote bag panel,
- or the center of a larger medallion-style project.
Repeating the block in different colors can create an entire quilt filled with stars moving in multiple directions.
Explore More Free Shooting Star Patterns
If you enjoy celestial quilt designs, visit our Top 4 Free Shooting Star Quilt Patterns .
The collection includes this Shooting Stars block along with several other free star designs.
Try the Falling Star Block Too
For a very different Moda Blockheads star construction, see our Falling Star Quilt Block Free Pattern by Sarah Watts.
Falling Star combines traditional piecing, Half-Square Triangles, and Foundation Paper Piecing, while Shooting Stars focuses on folded-corner construction.
Shooting Stars Quilt Block FAQ
Is the Shooting Stars quilt block pattern free?
Yes. Moda Fabrics provides the official Shooting Stars PDF free as part of the Moda Blockheads 5 quilt-along.
Who designed Shooting Stars?
The block was designed by Stacy Iest Hsu.
What sizes are included?
The official pattern includes 6-inch and 12-inch finished blocks.
What size are the blocks before being sewn into a quilt?
The finished pieced units are trimmed to approximately 6½" or 12½" unfinished.
Does this pattern use Foundation Paper Piecing?
No. Shooting Stars uses traditional piecing and repeated folded or stitch-and-flip corners.
Do I need a special folded-corner ruler?
No. The official Moda pattern uses drawn diagonal guidelines.
A specialty folded-corners ruler can be convenient, but it is optional.
Is Shooting Stars suitable for beginners?
A confident beginner can make the block.
The sewing itself is straightforward; careful orientation of the diagonal corners is the main challenge.
Can I use scraps?
Yes. The many small D squares and other compact pieces make the block suitable for incorporating scraps.
Download the Official Free Shooting Stars Pattern
Moda Fabrics provides the complete official PDF for Blockheads 5 — Group 2, Block 11, including separate cutting instructions for the 6-inch and 12-inch versions, construction diagrams, and coloring blocks for planning your fabrics.
Download the Official Free Shooting Stars Pattern →
Visit the Official Moda Shooting Stars Page →
Watch the Shooting Stars Video Tutorial
The video tutorial previously linked from The Quilting Time demonstrates construction of this exact Stacy Iest Hsu Shooting Stars block, including the folded corners, star units, stripe units, and final assembly.
Watch the Full Shooting Stars Video Tutorial →
Pattern Source
Shooting Stars was designed by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda Blockheads 5 — Group 2, Block 11.
Moda Fabrics provides the official free PDF, cutting charts, assembly diagrams, and coloring pages.
The Quilting Time does not reproduce the original cutting chart or diagrams. This guide adds technique explanations, folded-corner tips, color-planning ideas, troubleshooting, and related quilting resources while directing readers to Moda for the complete pattern.
Source availability checked: September 2026.
Happy quilting!
