SeeMyQuilt
Stars · Confident beginner

Friendship Star quilt block

A four-point star made from one square and four half-square triangles.

Friendship Star: main and background. A 3 × 3 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Friendship Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

9" Friendship Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

12" Friendship Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–
Background2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–

15" Friendship Star (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–
Background2 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Friendship Star block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
  3. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 3 × 3 grid, and each cell finishes at 5". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  4. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Friendship Star quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"5/8 yd1 1/8 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 1/8 yd2 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"1 1/2 yd2 5/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"2 yd3 5/8 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"3 yd5 5/8 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"3 3/4 yd7 1/4 yd2 1/8 yd10 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

Four ways to set it

A throw quilt of 15" Friendship Star blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1666" × 66"–
With sashing1255" × 72"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks8 pieced + 8 plain66" × 66"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1369 3/4" × 69 3/4"Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

See Friendship Star in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a Friendship Star block need?

Two: main and background. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 15 inch Friendship Star?

2 main squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 1 main square at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 2 background squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 4 background squares at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2".

How many Friendship Star blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

More stars blocks