Happy Monday Morning quilty friends! It the start of another wonderful week. I've so much planned for the Studio and the garden this week. The to-do lists are growing faster than the tulips in my yard. Yesterday was sun up till sundown Studio time due to the muddy mess in my yard, although it was a beautiful sunny day. Now today I get to plant potatoes and finish putting together this beautiful Lone Star quilt.
The Lone Star is by far my favorite quilt pattern. They look intimidatingly hard, but really if you follow some simple rules they can be fairly easy. The most important rule is PIN PIN PIN PIN! You can't get to many pins when working with the stretchy diamonds. Even at this stage in my quilt it's still quite stretchy. And there's enough starch in the fabric to stiffen a limp noodle.
Since we're talking about the tricks of this amazing pattern here's a great tutorial found at ModaBakeshop on how to make a Lone Star using precut Jelly Roll.
The Jellied Lone Star by Terri Ann Swallows has some great tips on marking and pinning. And if you don't like inset seams this pattern has NONE!
You really don't have to look very far to find a free Lone Star pattern. And you know me...I'm all about learning for FREE. RJR Fabrics has the largest selection of free Lone Star Patterns. Big Stars, Little Stars and many other great patterns that don't even have stars. Here's a few of my favorite FREE patterns you can find at RJR Fabrics.
Oh I love this one!
So your still intimidated? Okay here's the quickest and easiest way to make a Lone Star. QuiltSmart is a product that makes it super easy. Its a fusible interfacing that uses NO diamonds and no strip piecing . My first Lone Star quilt was made using Quiltsmart and it made me feel smart enough to make one with out it. It comes with very clear instructions and there's a instructional video on their website that I found most helpful. You really cant mess up this one! Unless your like me and you don't prewash those bright reds. Oh my goodness I cried! My red fabric bled all over the place. That's a story for another day....DISASTER OVERLOAD!
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So after that little(big) mishap I decided to venture out of the comfort zone and try to make one without Quiltsmart. So I did a little research and found this book at Diane's Native American Quilts. It's a great book with all the tips you'll ever need to make a Lone Star. It was so great I gave it to a non quilting Lone Star quilt loving friend that said she might like to make one someday. Nowadays I use EQ and the helpful tips I've learned over the years.
So your still not sold on making a large Lone Star? Okay.. how about a small wall hanging? I found this free tutorial over at Hopeful Homemaker. Jennifer has put together a excellent tutorial for this darling little quilt. And her over sizing of the inset pieces makes insetting easier....just trim away any UH-OH's!
Well are you ready to start a Lone Star Quilt? What's the worst thing that could happen?
~ Lea Anne ~
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What a bright and beautiful quilt! I have not made a Lonestar ....yet!! My daughter loves this design, so maybe I'll make one for her one day. Thanks for all of the great links!
ReplyDeleteThe lone star quilt is a beauty. I bought the book, "Lone Star Quilts and Beyond" years and years ago and still haven't made a quilt from the book. I may need to look at that book again and see if I want to work on one. But I really should tackle the huge box of quilt blocks that have never become quilts first, lol!!
ReplyDeleteI love your Lone Star!! I have had one on my "to do" list for years now. But that rainbow one....just wow!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW! I love this quilt! I did a lone star that is in my UFO pile because the middle poofs up 5" or so when I try to lay it flat. I plan to someday try to figure out how to fix it but I think it's hopeless. I wish I had known about that product when I tried to make it. Oh well, back to your top...it is Gorgeous with a capital "G". Are you going to do applique in the background? How are you getting photos of your quilts? They always look so good. Well, have a great week! Watch out for critters when you're planting! XO
ReplyDeleteWOWSERS! Those look Wonderful! I might try it if I can come back here and ask questions if I am stuck!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour Lone Star is prettier than any of the other pics! Yes, I'm in!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links and great suggestions. The contrast in your WIP makes if look like it's glowing. Best of luck with your progress on it and your potato planting.
ReplyDeleteThe colors in your quilt are electrifying! Just beautiful. I haven't tried this pattern yet but I want to some day. And free patterns are always good! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right -- you can't over-starch or over-pin! But the results are so worth it. Thanks for the links and tips.
ReplyDeleteWow--thanks for all the Lone Star inspiration--hopefully someday I will tackle one of my own!
ReplyDeleteHow do you quilt your Lone Star quilts? I'm finishing one that's a king sized wedding quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful!! I need to just try it. Lone stars are one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteI love your colors. Your thumbnail just reached out and grabbed me. I love Lonestars and yous was so bright and cheery! I liked hearing about all the different ways with Lonestars. I've (almost) made one! The star is completed and all the background squares and triangles are on except for one. My next will definitely have to be the one with no set in seams!
ReplyDeleteYou have done an amazing job with your lone star! How beautifully those points match! Excellent!!
ReplyDeleteYour lone star is gorgeous! Thanks for linking up! ;)
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