WesternWilson

Hi all, I decided to do a reproduction quilt as part of a history project. Turns out the original quilt was a scrappy Lone Star using 8 fabric "diamonds" per strip, so that required 8 different strip sets for each of the 8 arms of the star.

I had never tackled a Lone Star before and while it is going pretty well, I am at the stage of sewing on the big triangles of background fabric onto the star arms. I can already see squaring things up is going to be challenging!

I did not find a lot of resources on the internet that dealt with the basics of Lone Star construction...how to approach the tasks, etc. especially when you are not working from a pattern. So any hints, tips, trick from experienced LS makers much appreciated!

Feather3

I had LS that was a kit. It had diamonds cut, but that was it. We had to figure out the triangles & squares. We laid freezer paper under the center star & traced out a triangle & a square. Added the seams & cut it out. They do make special rulers, but they are expensive. I found this video that explains how to do the math & set the triangles & squares: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1nnvz6n05A

Iceblossom

I have a planned project that will be a sampler of 9 large lone star blocks. There are different ways to construct them, I will be using pre-sewn strips for the stars, and then setting in the background pieces which will be whole.

There are many tutorials on line about set-in seams.

For practice (because it had been a long time since I had done set in squares) I did a little Easter themed LaMoyne star. It's the same concept but less diamonds

I feel ready to tackle my bigger project now.

WesternWilson

Thanks Feather3 for the LS math video...it is a big help!

And yes, making a LeMoyne star would be good practice for making a LS quilt! I did use strip sets, cut on the 45 degree, and I did use all triangles around the star so I had no Y seams to deal with.

It really comes down to serious attention to accuracy, and very meticulous pinning of intersections after that! For basic construction this video was helpful, but lacked the math information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvxN0wCqwN8

Peckish

Donna Jordan did a good video on the Lone Star. You don't specify what size you made your strip sets, but maybe her video will help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNyISYL5ZIg

WesternWilson

Peckish I just guessed and cut my strips 2" wide. That Donna Jordan video is good, I also liked the one by Courtenay at the Missouri Quilt Company. Her pinning instructions really worked well for me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvxN0wCqwN8&t=6s

I wish they would create .pdf worksheets for various lone stars!