The Lone Star

For a long time I wanted to make a Lone Star but it always looked so intimidating. Then ... last October ... I found a great pattern/tutorial by Jennifer Harrison.

http://hopefulhomemaker.com/lone-star-tutorials/

I can't quite remember how I got the print out because I can't find it right now on that website. I might have signed up for the newsletter and got it free then. Of course I can't share it with you because I always try to respect copyrights.

Anyway, I am happy to have it right now because on the last page (of 4) there is an incredible useful table "Adjusting sizes for basic lone star block (using 9 diamonds per section)" 

This table gives info for 9 different strip sizes including the sizes for the background squares and the size for the finished block.

I posted the next three photos on FaceBook with the question "which lay-out would be better?"

This?

Or this?

In those last two photos the diamonds were not sewn together. All you have to do is to turn all 8 diamonds the other way and it gives you a totally different look. The answers to my question didn't help because it was pretty much half and half.

This is how I did sew them together. Since I did use 2.5" strips (jelly roll) the table told me that the finished block would be approximately 29". I did make a change though. I wanted the star to float and cut the background squares much larger. I know it might be a bit wasteful because I have to square the block up eventually but this is a learning piece anyway.

This block looks like it is the same size but I used 1" strips because I had leftovers (and I wanted to try). Because of the floating it is about 8.5".

The contrast of the sizes:

IMPORTANT:

I learned that you HAVE TO starch the fabric as much as you can. I forgot it getting ready when making the little star. I have a large homemade rectangular ironing board so I just took my 24" ruler and draw a line on it. I lined one edge of my (wet with starch) strips up on the line and ironed. Perfect! 

You want the fabric feel almost like paper before cutting the diamonds.

Each of these 8 diamond sections consist of 9 diamonds and you need 5 different fabrics. As you can see 

in the above photo I decided to number the strips. 

I have made another change too. In the tutorial you should make y-seams which I have never done. So, I cut the squares a bit larger and cut in half in the diagonal. 

Sew on the first triangle.

Trim and sew on the second triangle. 

Sew the two resulting triangles together and you have a quarter of the quilt block.

This works for me right now. I might try the y-seam next time. I am always happy to learn. 

I hope you find my blog helpful. I would be happy to read a comment from you.