LeMoyne Star Quilt

The classic LeMoyne Star block with its many pieces has simultaneously charmed and frustrated quilters since the mid-19th century. Simply Quilts guest Debbie Stark unlocks the secrets of this beautiful old-fashioned quilt. Here's how:

Materials:

The Language of Flowers flower star fabric by Susan Branch - discontinued, use any desired fabric
four yards of background fabric
one yard of white with red print - used in stars and as binding
1/4 yard each of 20 other fabrics
4-1/2 yards of backing fabric

Tips:

• Prewash and iron all fabrics before using.
• All seam allowances are 1/4 inch.

Star Squares - make nine

1. Cut 72 diamonds using print fabrics and the diamond template (figure A). Cut 36 3-1/2-inch squares out of background fabric, and 36 triangles using the background fabric and the triangle template (figure B).
2. Position two diamonds, right sides together, and sew into a unit (figure C ). Sew only one seam from seam line to seam line, and avoid sewing in the seam allowances. Repeat this step three more times, making four units for each star. Press the seam to one side.
3. Sew two pairs of diamonds together, seam line to seam line, to make half of a star. Avoid stitching in the seam allowances. Repeat this step with the other two diamond units required to complete one star (figure D).
4. Sew the two halves together--seam line to seam line--matching the centers. Avoid sewing in the seam allowances.
5. Set four triangles into alternate openings around the edge of the star. With right sides facing and the long side of the triangle on the outside of the block, match the triangle tip to the diamond tip and one leg of the triangle to one side of the diamond. Sew from the outside raw edge of the tips to the center seam line. Avoid sewing in the seam allowances. Match and sew the adjacent side of the triangle and diamond in the same manner (figure E).
6. Set the squares in the remaining openings around the star in the same manner described in step 5.

1. Cut 216 diamonds from print fabrics using the diamond template (figure A).
2. Cut 72 3-1/2-inch squares of background fabric and 144 triangles out of the background fabric using the triangle template (figure B).
3. Place two diamonds, right sides together, and sew into a unit (figure C). Sew one line of stitches from seam line to seam line. Avoid sewing in the seam allowance. Repeat this step twice more to make the three units necessary to create one star. Press the seams of each unit to one side.
4. To assemble the star, sew two units from step 3 together, seam line to seam line. Stitch the third unit to the first two in the same manner (figure F).
5. Position four triangles in the angled openings of the star from step 4 with right sides facing and the long side of the triangle outside of the block; match the triangle tip to the diamond tip, and one leg of the triangle to one side of the diamond. Stitch from the outside raw edge of the tips to the center seam line. Avoid sewing in the seam allowances. Match and sew the adjacent side of the triangle and diamond in the same manner (figure G).
6. Set two squares in the remaining openings around the star (figure H) in the same manner described in step 5.

Assembly of Top and Quilt Components

1. Cut four 7-3/4-inch squares, eight 7-3/4" x 15" rectangles and four 15-inch squares from the background fabric.
2. Using the assembly diagram (figure I), position the completed star squares, star rectangles and pieces cut in step one to make the seven rows of the quilt top.
3. After completing the rows, sew rows together as shown on the assembly diagram to complete the quilt top.
4. Layer the backing, batting and quilt top, then quilt as desired.
5. Cut five two-inch-wide strips across the width of the fabric from the binding fabric.
6. Sew the binding strips together to form one long piece. Fold in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. Sew the raw edges of the binding to the right side, outside edge of the quilt. Turn the folded edge of the binding to the back of the quilt and hand stitch down.