EIGHT-POINT STARS (TO "Y" OR NOT TO "Y")
Todays post is from Lorrie Ryther Hall who writes great quilting articles for the Beeline Newsletter. We also like to include these in our blogs each month. Lorrie does a great job teaching us different techniques for quilting. Thank you, Lorrie.
EIGHT-POINT
STARS (“Y” or not to “Y” see below)
There
are several stars that have eight points to include the Lemoyne, Lone Star,
Morning Star, Blazing Star, Star of Bethlehem, etc. The star is an important
symbol in Native American mythology and art. The story of the morning star
describes how an old medicine man became the morning star after his death. The
morning star was considered to have more power than the sun or moon because of
the experience the medicine man gained from living on earth. Consequently, the
morning star was a symbol for wisdom and understanding. Now, the eight points
represent the four stages of life–infancy, youth, maturity, and old age; along
with the directions, north, south, east and west. Also, the eight-pointed star symbolizes
unity,
harmony, and stability, reflecting the principles of balance and togetherness.
Eight-pointed stars are in many cultures with spiritual meanings, usually of
protection, and have also been called Salomon's star or Mohammed's jewel.
Morning
Star: (Similar to Ohio Star) This is a modern example of a Morning Star block. This uses
mainly quarter square triangles.
Morning Star Quilt
Block
Cutting Requirements for 12″ finished block (precise 1/4″
seam allowance):
● Light Turquoise: Cut ONE (1) 5
1/4″ square. Then cut the square diagonally, corner-to-corner, TWO (2) times.
You will end up with FOUR (4) triangles.
● Light Turquoise: Cut FOUR (4) 2
1/2″ squares.
● Purple: Cut TWO (2) 5 1/4″
squares. Then cut the squares diagonally, corner-to-corner, TWO (2) times. You
will end up with FOUR (4) triangles per square.
● Turquoise: Cut TWO (2) 4 3/4″
squares. Then cut the squares diagonally, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. You
will end up with TWO (2) triangles per square.
● White: Cut EIGHT (8) 2 3/4″
squares. Then cut the squares diagonally, corner-to-corner, ONE (1) time. You
will end up with TWO (2) triangles per square.
●
White: Cut ONE (1) 4
1/2″ square.
Lemoyne
Star (Hunter Star):
This star uses three colors; two for the star and one color for the
background. Or you can make it scrappy.
You can do a “Y” seam if you want or the easier way is to make half
square triangles with squares in the corners. Most quilters don’t enjoy doing
“Y” seams and would rather do half square triangles.
Lone Star (Blazing Star)
Some of the
websites I have watched to learn to make Stars include Missouri Star, Jordan
Fabrics and Jelly Roll Club. What I learned is to starch your fabrics which
helps keep points straight and fabric from sliding. Use a shorter stitch, 2.0,
for strength. Both also help with any bias seams. Most use 2 ½ strips and a
jelly roll can be used, just be careful with size when starching. A coloring
page helps with design as does a pattern with colors. Match corners using
markings, pins, or your preferred method. Just take extra special care when
doing this pattern. Blazing star uses 3 colors, but more can be used and can be
stretched for a larger star (See Jelly Roll Club pattern). Lone stars usually
use 3 to 4 colors and even more.
There are different
ways of cutting the strips. Basically, cut strips 21/2 wide and sew two strips
together. Sew 2 more; however, use your placement color guide on which ones to
use. You will be cutting the strips into 45-degree pieces. Rulers and templates are available. Also,
Jordan Fabrics use the mat to measure and cut the angles.
Most quilters don’t
like to do “Y” seams so all of the examples I saw use triangles and squares
instead. Make it simple. Enlarge when adding so when trimming you don’t cut off
the points.
Here are some examples and pictures that I hope you find beneficial and enjoyable.
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