Welcome to the first month of the 2021 Create with Claudia mystery quilt. This year the quilt pattern is called “Stars of the Prairie”. Each month I will be presenting a new quilt block along with a tutorial. You will also find all of the information you need if you are participating in the mystery quilt. This month we learn how to make a mosaic quilt block.

This is a smaller block and it’s a great scrap buster. It is also easy to make. Who doesn’t love that?!

Not only will we be making the block, we will also be cutting out our background squares for the mystery quilt. So get ready to have some fun and sew!

And if you are here for the quilt block tutorial, but not for the mystery quilt, then scroll down a little bit for the instructions.

*Download the Mosaic Quilt Block Pattern Here*

January Mystery Quilt Info

Please read all instructions carefully before beginning.

There are two parts to this month. We will be making quite a few of the mosaic blocks this month. In addition, we will be cutting out squares for some of the background. There is a lot going on this month, but this way, if you can’t get to all of the cutting and sewing, you still have the rest of the year to finish it.

Supplies Needed

Along with the fabric, you will need some general quilting supplies.

• Cutting Mat
• 12 1/2″ square Quilter’s Ruler
• Rotary Cutter

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Part 1: Background Squares for the Mystery Quilt

Fabric Needed:

Background Fabric: 1 7/8 yards

Cutting Instructions:

Cut 56 squares 6 ½ inches by 6 ½ inches

Part 2: January Block: Mosaic Quilt Block for the Mystery Quilt

For the Stars of the Prairie mystery quilt we will be making 16 of the mosaic blocks.

Fabric Needed (for all 16 blocks):

Background Fabric: ½ yard, Fabric A: 1/8 yard, Fabric B: 1/3 yard

Cutting Instructions (for all 16 blocks):

• Background Fabric:
• 32 squares cut 2 ½ inches by 2 ½ inches (cut in half on the diagonal: see pattern instructions)
• 16 squares cut 4 ¼ inches by 4 ¼ inches (cut in half on the diagonal and then in half again: see pattern instructions)
• Fabric A: 16 squares cut 2 5/8 inches by 2 5/8 inches
• Fabric B: 64 squares cut 2 5/8 inches by 2 5/8 inches

How to Make a Mosaic Quilt Block (Instructions to Make 1 Block)

Video Tutorial

Block Layout

For one 6 1/2″ block you will need to cut the following:

• Two 2 1/2″ squares of the background fabric
• One 4 1/4″ square of the background fabric
• One 2 5/8″ square of fabric A
• Four 2 5/8″ squares of fabric B

Block Assembly (For One 6 1/2″ Block):

Cut two 2 ½ inch background fabric squares in half on the diagonal. You will have 4 triangles.

With right (front) sides of the fabric facing each other, center the long side of one of the triangles to one of the 2 5/8” squares of fabric B. Sew along the edge using the ¼ inch seam allowance. Tip: To get an accurate center point, it might help to finger press the square and the triangle in half and match the fold lines.

Press open and repeat with the three other squares of fabric B. You will have four units that look like this.

Take the 4 ¼ inch square of background fabric and cut it diagonally twice.

Taking one of the triangles just cut, attach it to the right side of one of the fabric units we made above. Repeat with one of the other fabric B squares. Press open.

Repeat on the left side.

You will have two units that look like this.

With the remaining two squares of fabric B that have the one triangle on them, sew one to one side of the fabric A square and one to the other (diagonal side) of the square.

To this unit, attach the triangular units you made earlier.

If needed, trim the block down to 6 ½ inches square.

If You Are Participating in the 2021 Stars of the Prairie Mystery Quilt:

Repeat until you have 16 mosaic quilt blocks.

Feel free to join in the mystery quilt fun. You can find all of the details in this article.

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

Show off your progress on social media! Make sure to use the hashtag #createwithclaudiaqal if you post any pictures!

*This mystery quilt along is for entertainment purposes only. Therefore, 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*