How to Make a Lone Star Quilt With Only Three Colors

Solid and small print cloth combinations work in a Lone Star quilt.

A large, single star comprised of diamond shaped strips of cloth is the focus of the Lone Star quilt. American Indians refer to Lone Star patterns as "Star" pattern quilts. The solitary star has become a traditional symbol for American Indians' observance of the passing of a soul on the pathway to the Southern Star. Star Quilts are given to honor those who have been kind to the deceased. The Lone Star quilt is traditionally made with multiple colors but, with calculated planning, it is possible to make the pattern with only three colors.

Things You'll Need

• Graph paper
• Colored pencils
• 45-degree diamond shape quilting template
• Fabric marker
• Rotary cutter or sewing scissors
• Quilting pins
• Quilting thread

Instructions

1. Make a diagram outline of an eight-point Lone Star quilt design pattern on a piece of graph paper. The individual pieces are diamond shapes. Choose two colors for the actual star pattern and a third color for the background. The background color can be incorporated into a large star for a full, queen or king sized quilt.

2. Color in the center of the star pattern with the first color of the quilt. The center is made with eight diamond shapes. Fill in the next series of 16 diamond shapes with a secondary color. Alternate with the first and secondary colors while coloring in the remaining diamond shapes of the pattern.

3. Color in the background of the quilt with the third color. The colored diagram allows changes if the design needs tweaking. Experiment with placement of the color within the star pattern itself. Create more than one drawing until the final pattern coloring is determined.

4. Count the number of diamonds for each of the two star colors. Trace the diamond template with a fabric marker and cut out the series of diamonds for the first and secondary color for a baby, twin or wall hanging quilt. Cut out the diamond shape in three colors for the larger sized quilt project.

5. Pin the diamond shapes together and sew the quilt top by hand or machine using quilting thread. Include the background fabric pieces that were cut from the third color.

6. Assemble the quilt with a border that matches the center star.

Tips & Warnings

• You can quilt around the diamond shapes of the star after the quilt is assembled with batting and a backing fabric.

• If the third color is incorporated within the star, keep it from the border outline. The quilt background and the star outline will blend together, which will ruin the shape of the star.

References

• Women Folk: Quilt Patterns Through Time
• Equilters: Lone Star Quilts
• Star Quilts: Star Quilt Tradition

Resources

• Angel Fire: Strip-Pieced Lone Star