Thank so much for posting this! I inherited a Lone star quilt top, it is hand pieced, and of course cut out using the diamond templates...I was going to try and finish it, but toward the middle there seem to be too many diamonds...I even took it to my lqs for the "professional opinion"...and they agree...so, I am hoping I can figure out how to fix it. Meanwhile, I have a couple of kits waiting to be made using the "strip" method you are using...so, it will be great to have this to refer to when I get started!
Thanks,
Kif

Here is the first pieced diamond.

That Olivia is lovely, delicate fabric.

Looks great!
One thing that works better for me is to turn the whole setup around and have my ruler on top of the 2 1/2" strip that I am cutting off. Using the ruler to measure the width instead of the measuring tape. Helps to hold the fabric in place while making the cut. I can also check my angle against the 45 line with every cut.

I want to underscore the need to starch. This pattern in particular has a lot of bias edges-- way too easy to stretch out of shape (especially if you need to pull out seams and try again...)

I starch the strip sets before I cut them.
I starch the (diamond) strip sets after I piece them.

Okay, which do you prefer?

I like the pink star in the middle!

I'm glad you figured out the problems because I'm going to be making my first Lone Star pretty soon now. Although actually I decided to buy the fusible foundation diamonds to make my first Lone Star -- I'm too afraid I might mess up. But I already use a TON of starch on my fabrics and do sew in different directions on each long seam.

Fran in Colorado

I prefer the pink.

I actually went the other way. I'm going to applique a rose in the middle. I think. Maybe; here's where I am so far:

I gotta fix the wonkiness on the bottom.