Lemoyne Star Quilt Block Tutorial

Folk Sampler Sew Along Block 12

Lemoyne Star is a classic traditional star block. The traditional way of piecing it is with diamonds and triangles which require Y-seams. Many modern quilters opt to piece this block with Half Square Triangles to avoid the Y-seams and that’s the method I’m sharing today. I’d love to circle back around to this block eventually to share some other methods of piecing it. The HST piecing method is easy as it is made from 4 squares and 12 HST’s, but take your time matching the seams to ensure that the HST’s line up nicely. Have fun exploring color placement options when creating your block. Below I’ve shared two different options.

The finished size of this block is 12” (the unfinished size is 12 1/2”) because that’s what we’re working with in the Folk Sampler Sew Along. As with all quilt blocks you can change the size of the block by changing the size of the pieces within which is explained in this post. In the following instructions I will refer to the colors as the ones I chose for my block on the left above: sky blue, olive, and white. It will help make the following instructions less confusing to assign each color a number: color 1 sky blue, color 2 olive, color 3 white. As you plan your block choose 3 colors, assign each color a number, and swap my colors for your personal choices.

For the natural dyers, the dye recipes I used for my block on the left are olive green and light indigo blue. For the block on the right the color recipes I used are olive green, weld yellow, and the lilac color is a cochineal recipe I haven’t shared yet.

Finished Block Size 12”

1/4” seam allowance

Cut List

*The colors in parentheses are the colors I chose just for reference.

For the Corner Squares:

Cut 4- color 3 squares (white): 3 1/2”

For the HST’s:

Cut 4- color 3 squares (white): 4”

Cut 4- color 1 squares (sky blue): 4”

Cut 4- color 2 squares (olive): 4”

Make the HST’s

Gather the 12 four inch squares you cut to make the HST’s and pair them up as follows:

2- color 3 & color 1 pairs

2- color 3 & color 2 pairs

2- color 1 & color 2 pairs

Keep the pairs together and head over to my Half Square Triangle tutorial to make a total of 12 HST’s from your 6 pairs. Begin the tutorial where it says ASSEMBLE HST’s. When you get to the TRIM part of the tutorial, trim your 12 HST’s to 3 1/2”.

Now we have all the pieces we need to make a Lemoyne Star block!

Assemble the Block

Have fun exploring different arrangements. Below are two different options you might choose from, but have fun exploring beyond these options.

Once you commit to your design, sew the pieces together to form 4 horizontal rows. Press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.

Now sew the rows together being careful to match the seams by pinning. Press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.

And there we have a Lemoyne Star block!

My design wall is filling up! If you have any questions please be sure to ask in the comment section below for all to see and reference. Please continue to use the tag #folksamplersewalong on Instagram when sharing your beautiful work so everyone can see. It’s been a real joy to see your blocks coming together!