Lone Star Block Mini Workshop

The Lone Star block is a classic design. It is traditionally made by piecing rows and rows of diamond shaped fabrics into larger diamond shapes. Piecing these diamond shapes, with all the bias edges, is often difficult to do, especially for beginner quilters. Instead of cutting fabric into diamonds, this workshop shows you how to use fabric strips. This free mini workshop shows you step by step how to make a Lone Star block. The following techniques will be demonstrated and explained:

1. Strip piecing and cutting
2. Sewing Y seams
3. Matching seams
4. Making the center flat

With all my workshops, I suggest you first go through the lessons and videos, in order and at your leisure, to get a preview of what you'll be doing. When you are ready to start the project, work through the lessons in order. Let's get started!

Introduction

Video Index

00:00 to 02:53 - Introduction

02:53 to 05:01 - Choosing fabric

Gather your Supplies

Before starting any project, gather all the supplies you'll need. Here is the supply list for this block:

• Rotary cutter with fresh blade, I recommend the 45mm
• Cutting mat, at least 18" x 24"
• Cutting ruler with 45 degree line, 6-1/2" x 12-1/2" works well
• 1/4" marking ruler (optional)
• Marking pen or pencil
• Sewing machine with 1/4" foot
• Quality sewing thread
• Scissors for cutting thread

Fabric

WOF means width of fabric. For one block:

Star

One (1) -- 2-1/2" x WOF strip dark fabric for star point Two (2) -- 2-1/2" x WOF strips light fabric for inner star One (1) -- 2-1/2" x WOF strip medium-dark fabric for center star

Background

One (1) fat quarter

Cutting the Fabric

Once you have gathered all your supplies and fabric we can start cutting the fabric. The next video shows how to cut the background pieces and how to sew and cut the fabric strips.

Video Index

00:00 to 06:39 - Cutting the background fabric

06:39 to 07:19 - Piece and press the strips

07:19 to 09:54 - Cut the strips

Mark the Fabric

Before piecing begins, reference points are marked on some of the fabrics as shown the the next video.

Video Index

00:00 to 04:06 - Mark the diamond segment intersections

04:06 to 06:19 - Mark the outer points of the medium fabric

06:19 to 08:41 - Mark the squares and triangles

Piecing the Diamonds

In this lesson we piece the diamonds and assemble the block.

Piecing the Diamonds

1. Piece the seam.
2. Press to the left.
3. Check the sides.
4. Trim the nubs.

Piecing the Sides

The side triangles are pieced with Y seams to make 4 side units.

Video Index

00:00 to 00:49 - Stitching the triangles

00:49 to 04:06 - Stitching the straight seam

04:06 to 07:46 - Stitch the right side seam

07:46 to 09:50 - Stitch the left side seam

09:50 to 11:46 - Press and check

Piecing the Corners

The corners are pieced using Y seams. The first video covers the straight seam and then shows the steps to take to make the center lay flat.

Video Index

00:00 to 04:09 - Stitch the straight seam

04:09 to 05:55 - Select and remove stitches for center star

Repeat these steps to stitch the straight seam of the other pair of side sections (triangles).

Piecing the Corners (Continued)

The second video continues with the right and left side seams to finish the half units.

Video Index

00:00 to 03:13 - Stitch the right side seam and check.

03:13 to 05:10 - Stitch the left side seam and check.

05:10 to 06:17 - Press and check.

Final Assembly

In the last video we will piece the remaining 2 squares to complete the block.

Video Index

00:00 to 05:57 - Piecing the final Y seam.

05:57 to 04:26 - Select and remove stitches for center star.

04:26 to 08:21 - Finish the Y seams for both squares.

08:21 to 09:14 - Press and check

09:14 to 12:34 - Sewing block to block

Happy quilting!

Carol