Candy Striped Holly Star Quilt Block Free Pattern

If you love adding festive touches to your quilting projects, the Candy Striped Holly Star quilt block is a perfect blend of holiday charm and modern precision. Designed by Sarah Thomas of SARIDITTY, this block brings together the crisp accuracy of foundation paper piecing (FPP) with the warmth of holly leaves, berries, and classic candy-stripe color play. Whether you’re a beginner ready to explore FPP or a seasoned maker looking for a fresh seasonal block, this design delivers both beauty and versatility.

In her original notes, Sarah explains that she wanted this star to stand out on its own or shine alongside the other Moda Blockheads blocks. And it truly does its sharp angles, layered geometry, and optional appliqué make it a delightful addition to any holiday quilt, table runner, or festive wall hanging.

This block is packed with creative potential. Use traditional reds and greens for a Christmas look, or switch to icy blues, metallics, or modern neutrals for a winter-themed star. Sarah’s design even includes optional appliqué holly leaves and berries, allowing you to customize your block with a cozy seasonal flourish.

According to the cutting and layout diagrams on page 1, fabrics 1 & 2 form one half of the star, while fabrics 3 & 4 complete the opposite side—giving the block its playful candy-striped effect.

✂️ Cutting Information

The pattern provides cutting instructions for both:

6½″ unfinished blocks

12½″ unfinished blocks

Each block section—A, B, and C—is clearly illustrated in the diagrams on pages 3–7, showing you exactly how pieces A1–A3, B1–B3, and C1–C3 fit together. These templates ensure perfect accuracy, which is one of the biggest advantages of foundation paper piecing.

You’ll also find printed appliqué templates for the holly leaves and berries alongside the block units.

🧵 How to Make the Candy Striped Holly Star Block

Sarah’s step-by-step piecing instructions on page 2 walk you through the process of adding each piece in alphabetical and numerical order—A1, A2, A3, and so on.

Foundation Paper Piecing Steps Overview

Place Fabric A1
- Position your fabric so it fully covers the A1 section with extra room for trimming.
Trim the seam allowance
- Cut ¼″ beyond the line between A1 and A2.
Sew A2 to A1
- Stitch directly on the printed line with a short stitch length.
Press & Add Next Sections
- Continue adding and pressing fabrics in order until each section (A, B, and C) is complete.
Join Units
- Use the ¼″ seam allowances printed on the dotted lines to assemble the final star.
Optional Appliqué
- Trace the holly shapes from the templates and stitch them onto the finished block.

Once complete, your block should measure:

6½″ square (for the small size)
12½″ square (for the large size)

🎄 Ideas for Using This Block

This block looks stunning in:

Holiday table runners
Christmas quilt samplers
Festive mini-quilts
Pillow covers
Repeated block layouts for larger quilts

Sarah even notes that making four blocks in a row creates a delightful candy-stripe effect perfect for a holiday runner.

🎀 Color Suggestions

Traditional Christmas: red, green, ivory, gold
Modern Holiday: aqua, teal, silver, navy
Warm Cozy Palette: cranberry, pine, caramel, warm white
Minimalist Nordic: greys, muted greens, soft charcoal

With the extra coloring sheets included in the PDF (page 8), you can easily plan out multiple color variations.

📄 Free PDF Pattern

At the end of this article, I will make the complete Candy Striped Holly Star pattern PDF available for free download, including:

Full cutting instructions
Foundation paper piecing templates
Appliqué templates
Coloring pages

📄 Free PDF Pattern

The Candy Striped Holly Star is a beautiful celebration of color, precision, and holiday cheer. With its striking foundation paper–pieced star and optional holly appliqué, this block brings festive charm to any quilting project—whether you’re creating a seasonal runner, a cozy Christmas quilt, or a decorative pillow. Its versatility, clean geometry, and joyful details make it a delightful addition to your holiday sewing.