Say, can you place all eight diamonds so that the "arms" at
the side-center < > all match up and take another picture?

What I'm thinking is that if you can make the seams match from the side center most points of the diamonds, all the way down except for the final points in the center of the block, you might be able to make a circle or one piece star of the dark pink fabric to cover the uneven center points. Then the outer arms of each large diamond would still be a little bit off but since they are spaced so far apart it probably wouldn't be noticed by anyone but you. What 'cha think?

My first quilt was a Lone Star which is really not a beginner quilt, but I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment...LOL

First I tried the strip method and mine didn't work either, so I feel your pain. I think they may have been better if I had starched heavily before cutting, but I didn't know to do that. Anyway, I ended up cutting individual diamonds to make my star and used the diagonal strips in the border.

I know this isn't much help, but I do understand your frustration. Maybe these great quilters here can help. Your fabric choices are wonderful.

Good luck!!

I would try the added "sashing idea,,,in fact it really adds to the design.I would add a small strip all the way around each one then cut them all to one size.

How about trimming them all to the same size? It will be a little smaller and the diamonds might not line up, but hey, with the pretty fabric you have, probably no one will notice. AND IF THEY DO hand them a seam ripper and showthem where the sewing machine is!

It looks to me that the pink print diamonds between the dark pink and light pink aren't true diamonds. Maybe that is where your problem starts. Measure them and see. I have never done one of these, because I know I would make a mess of it. But I say starch and lots of it.

I agree, but measure some of the others as well. I see some light pink and some white that aren't true diamonds. I'm wondering if you measured incorrectly when cutting some pieces.

Almost Free, ironically this is my second lone star. While my first was not perfect, it was no where near as out of whack as this one. What you're learning here, of course, is how important the measuring, cutting and sewing (esp those seam allowances) are for the success of this quilt.

-- Jillaine

How about picking out the four that are the closest and making a half star? Sort of like a rising sun? Would be a great wall hanging above a doorway. Add fabric and make place mats out of the rest. The fabric is way too pretty to abandon. Please let us know what you decide! I think we are all as invested as you are in this project.

My morning walking friend raised an issue I hadn't thought about last night. If I *do* try to resize with starch (and she had an extra can she gave me), what happens when the quilt is washed? This is meant to be a bedspread (ultimately). Am I doomed to a wall hanging?

By the way, this pattern is from Jan Krentz's Lone Star Quilts & Beyond. It's a variation of the quilt on the cover, as well as those on pp 44-45. Although why I chose to do 6x6 instead of 4x4 is beyond me. Probably because of the fabrics I had on hand. I make quilts "backwards" -- I go to the store, fall in love with the fabric, buy enough (hopefully), then pick a pattern.

(Almost Free: start with a 4x4, not a 6x6!)

To the person who suggested I align the "arms", I tried that; look at the original photo I posted and note the arrows I added. They point to the fact that the "arms" do not align at all.

Can anyone point me to a youtube or other video that describes the basics of starching quilt pieces? I.e., that includes things like what needs to be underneath the fabric; what is used to pin the fabric TO, etc. I've never learned those kinds of basics. (Clearly!!!) ;-)

Thanks again; you're a wonderful group of people.

-- Jillaine

I would pull them out from the center so they are where they belong and stitch from there into the center. Then I would applique a shape, round, diamond whatever over the uneven center.