This innovative approach to quiltmaking makes star patterns a snap! From the author of the best-seller MAGIC STACK-N-WHACK comes a new version of the LeMoyne Star. This classic block that has charmed and frustrated quilters for centuries can be tamed, and made with ease, with the addition of a few strategic seams. Directions with complete yardage and cutting charts for over a dozen quilt projects are included, along with a special section on creating MAGIC STACK-N-WHACK stars and mirror-image stars to showcase in any of the settings. Pieces can be cut from scraps or yardage with little waste and outstanding results!
From the Introduction:
The Block We Love to Hate
Whether called the LeMoyne Star, Lemon Star, or any of its many other aliases, few designs have occupied a place of honor in quiltmaking for as long as the Eight-Pointed Star. This simple arrangement of eight diamonds has delighted quilters for more than two centuries, but its origins go back much further. Across time and geographical boundaries, from ancient Rome and the Renaissance to our own quilting traditions, the eight point star appears time and again.
Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century quilters probably enjoyed this block for its economy as well as its graphic impact. The traditional block has just three easily drafted templates, a diamond, a triangle, and a square, and these pieces can be cut from scraps or yardage with little waste. As long as these pieces are carefully drawn and cut, the block is fairly simple to piece by hand.
But quilters who prefer machine piecing have long felt confounded by Eight-Pointed Stars. The "Y" seams formed by the diamonds and background squares are a challenge even for experienced piecers. More than a few quilters have surrendered after battling pleated intersections, misaligned centers, and blocks that refuse to lie flat no matter how much coaxing they receive at the ironing board.
This book takes a different approach to the Eight-Pointed Star. With the addition of a few strategic seams, this temperamental block takes on a much more cooperative demeanor.
Divide and Conquer
Botanists create new hybrids to take advantage of the strengths of the parent plants. What might happen if we apply the same principal to quilt blocks? Suppose we take the classic eight point star block, and cross-pollinate it with a block that is very simple to piece, such as the humble four-patch Pinwheel block?
What we have now is a new block that combines the graphic appeal of the eight point star with the ease of construction of the Pinwheel block.
Thanks to the four-patch Pinwheel construction, we can piece this block in four identical quarters.
Each quarter is made from two half-square triangle units. The half-square triangle units consist of a diamond and two different sized triangles.
This new block has a few more seams than the one our foremothers pieced by hand and uses a little bit more fabric because of the additional seam allowances. However, for machine piecers, this is a fair trade-off for the elimination of those set-in "Y" seams.
Now that we have the basic block, we can have some fun with variations. Simple changes in fabric placement can lead to new blocks that are as easy to sew as the basic star.
By adding pieces to the diamond on each half-triangle unit, we can create new block designs.
These new variations may look difficult to piece, but paper piecing makes those sharp points manageable. Several of the star blocks in this book are sewn using a method I call "partial paper piecing." In many paper foundation piecing projects, the paper is left in place until the block is completed, and sometimes until the entire top is pieced. I have found this unnecessary for these blocks. In the directions given in this book, the paper foundation used to assist in piecing the diamond units is removed during the block construction.
Finally, by choosing a dynamic setting to complement the star blocks, we can show off this timeless design in all its splendor! This book offers a variety of interesting settings. Each features a particular block design, but you can substitute any of the other blocks for your own customized design.
How to Use This Book
This book provides instructions for making the quilts shown in the photo plates, and additional information to help you design and create your own unique quilt. Yardages and cutting instructions are given for both 6" and 12" block sizes. This gives you a great many options for projects of various sizes, from very small wall quilts to bed quilts. You can use any block variation with any Quilt Plan. You can also tailor the difficulty of the project to your needs, using the skill ratings given for each block and Quilt Plan.
The Fabric Selection chapter offers tips on choosing fabrics to make your star quilts sparkle.
Part One provides instructions for the star blocks. Each block design chapter includes the cutting and piecing directions for the diamond star points. The Star Block Piecing chapter gives step-by-step directions for adding the background fabric to the diamonds and completing the block. This part includes a special section on using the Stack-n-Whack(tm) technique to create stars with kaleidoscopic effects.
Part Two provides plans for a variety of settings. Each Quilt Plan includes a yardage chart, cutting charts for the background and accent fabrics, and piecing instructions for the setting. Since you may choose to use a different star block from the one shown in the sample for the Quilt Plan, the instructions will refer you to Part One for the block piecing instructions.
If you would like to customize your quilt by substituting different blocks or borders for those shown in the sample quilts, Part Three provides information to help with this.
Part Four includes general instructions section for techniques used in the book which may be new to you, including the partial-paper-piecing technique. You will also find suggestions for quilting and finishing your project in this section.
In the last pages of the book, you'll find the paper foundations to copy for the star blocks, and quilting and appliqu designs.
