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Originally Posted by jillaine
Sigh...
Despite what I had believed to be accurate measuring, sewing and cutting, I clearly did something wrong because my lone-star diamonds are not "right". Now I have eight worthless 6x6 diamonds and I don't know what to do with them. I am horrified that I've done all this work and that I didn't catch the problem right away. I mean the diamonds are catty-wampus. Any suggestions for what to do with these, other than cremate them? that I had this happen to me way back about 30 years ago when I started quilting. I ended up re-cutting my strips and what I learned is that the secret to a perfect lone star is in the cutting - not the piecing. When you make your strip sets, you have to cut each strip with no wobble or curve. That means that you have to cut one or two strips, then place your ruler on the previously cut line and trim a sliver off to give you a straight edge before you cut the next two or three strips. It is amazing how much one can get 'off' on making the strips straight, even though you are using a mat and cutter. Then, when you sew your strips into sets, they have to be staggered on one end. I don't know why that matters, but it does. Then, if your strip sets have a bow in them, even a slight one, the diamonds will be off. Finally, it is very important to cut each set with a true angle, whether it be 45 or 60 degree angle, it must be true. Again, after cutting two diamonds, you need to straighten the cut edge as described above, before cutting the next two, to make sure the diamonds are straight and have no bow or wobble. I know this is long, and perhaps hard to understand, but if you follow these cutting steps, your diamonds will match perfectly. Oh, one more things is to never iron your strips sets, or your diamonds, but 'press' them with a dry iron, which means to just put your iron on top of the sets and leave it there a few seconds - never iron back and forth because it will distort the bias. This may be more confusing than helpful, but I have successfully made several loan stars after my fiasco, just by following these methods of cutting and pressing. Have a Great Day! Marcia |
Marcia, your response is perfect and perfectly understandable. I actually wondered why Krentz recommended the little scrap strips in between strips and you've explained it beautifully. Lesson for next lone star I do (if I ever do one again...). Well, for any diagonal cutting. -- Jillaine
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Since they are mostly bias seams, try what one quilter above suggested.
Take each diamond to the ironing board, and place on a drawn diamond that is the right size. Spray with starch to moisten. I use Mary Ellen's Best Press since it leaves no residue. Pull the defective diamond until you approximate the correct size and press. I apologize if you have already done this ad nauseum. If it didn't work then you should do what gal288 suggested with the sashing and outlining suggestion. Best of luck. I found Jan Krentz's book on Lone Star Qlts from C&T publishing to be very helpful.I at first thought it was wildly obsessive-compulsive, but it works. She also has patterns that have diamonds around the outer edges of the central Lonestar so if all else fails you could redo some of the Lonestar diamonds over and use the misfits for the outer area. I don't know how to upload pictures but your library might be able to get you the book. If you Google Jan Krentz Lone Star Quilts and beyond, the cover quilt shows a star with 8 edge diamonds. Her site charges $25 for the book. Amazon has a used copy for $12.79 - Judy |
wow I would find a way to make it work. i would be sick to do all the work and not be able to fix it. good luck
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Originally Posted by ladyredhawk
i would be sick to do all the work and not be able to fix it. good luck
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Originally Posted by jillaine
Marcia, your response is perfect and perfectly understandable. I actually wondered why Krentz recommended the little scrap strips in between strips and you've explained it beautifully. Lesson for next lone star I do (if I ever do one again...). Well, for any diagonal cutting. -- Jillaine
another shot, maybe with fewer fabrics until you get the hang of the technique. I wish I lived close to you, because I know I could show you in a New York minute how to do it. Anyway, if you decide to try again, maybe do it with 4 - 6 fabrics, and do a smaller size, (cut your initial strips 1 1/2" x 22"), just to get the hang of it. The smaller strip width and length are much easier to manage the first time around. You will end up with a nice wall hanging if you cut your strips that size. If you have any other questions if you decide to give it another shot, feel free to PM me and I will send you my phone number so we can talk it through. I feel very confident that once you make on successfully, you will see how relatively easy it is and you will want to try a larger one. I actually taught a class on a Lone Star and one of my students made a queen size right off the bat. That scared even me a little bit, because I thought it would be too big to handle, but she did a great job and it turned out well. Truthfully, it really is all in the cutting and pressing. Have a Great Day! Marcia |
Originally Posted by quilter1943
Have you tried to reposition them? That might help. In the photo it looks like some of them that aren't next to each other might fit better with another one. Not sure if that makes sense. Move them around . . .
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Originally Posted by gal288
Jillaine, It's heartbreaking, but has happened to all of us at one time or another.
You could try this, it will change the look somewhat, but at least it may save you money and time. Measure each of the legs of all the triangles, establish a mean measurement. Let's say is 14", for example. 1)Cut 24 (1") strips of the most neutral fabric 14". 2)Sew a strip to the long legs of each triangle, carefully pinning to make it fit the strip.Some will have to be stretched, some eased. 3) In the center, sew 1 strip to 1 length, then sew another triangle to that strip, and repeat. I did a quick scale in EQ to give you a visual. It's going to be work but less than ripping out all those squares. The pink strips are the adjustment. |
Wish I could help - but I am bookmarking this page - to review in the future - great tips
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I would separate the large diamonds and applique them on a dark background - sort of a "broken star" approach. You could even quilt some lines radiating out from the center. It's a star on the move...the "big bang"!
Everyone is right....much too pretty to burn! |
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