
2015 Adventure Quilt Block of the Month #5
The fifth Block of the Month pattern is the Lone Star. Don’t fear the traditional Y-seam construction; I’ve developed a template that makes this block a breeze. The modifications are translated into easy-to-use templates, Trace ‘n Create Quilting Templates—Lone Star Collection. This set of templates creates four block sizes; for this Lone Star, our block measures 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″.
The series of blocks will go together in The 2015 Adventure Quilt. Join us on our journey as we stitch our way through many quilting fabrics and scraps using many different techniques.
This quilt will be a scrap adventure. Total yardage for the entire quilt is not provided. Rather, we will be working in a color palette of scraps (or Fat Quarters).
If you’d like this block pattern as a downloadable PDF, please click the “Print Post as PDF” button at the lower right of this post.
Notions, Fabrics, and Supplies:
Let’s get started on the quilt adventure by choosing fabrics. I recommend choosing three colors. Any three colors should work. I’ll be working with black, white, and a green/chartreuse color collection. As I rummaged through my quilting fabric scraps, I found that I had the most of these colors on hand.
Month: Lone Star Block
All blocks in The 2015 Adventure Quilt measure 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″, creating a 12″x 12″ finished block. 1/4″ seam allowances are included.
Supplies:
- Assorted Fabric Scraps
- Trace ‘n Create Quilting Templates—Lone Star Collection
- Fine Tip Non-Permanent Marking Pen
It helps to familiarize yourself with the templates before cutting. The trio of shapes creates 1/8 of the quilt block.
- The templates are marked in the upper corners with either A, B, or C. You’ll find that helpful when assembling the blocks.
Construction
- Cut two strips of background fabric (we used white) 3-1/4″ x 14″, to be used with template A.
- Cut two strips of background fabric 4-1/4″ x 14″, to be used with template C.
- Cut two strips of foreground fabric (we used black and green) 3″ x 18″, to be used with template B.
- After cutting the crosswise strips, spray the strips with Mary Ellen’s Best Press, then press.
- Layer each set of same-size strips, matching right sides.
- Use the appropriate template, A or C, to trace four shapes onto the stacked strips, which when cut will result in eight pieces.
- Align the template edge with the marked fabric width line.
- For A and C, rotate the template. Align the diagonal line of the template to the line marked on the fabric and along the straight edge of the fabric. Trace the side of the template.
- Use a rotary cutter to cut accurately on each marked line. After cutting the stacked or folded fabric, there will be eight triangles/shape.
- Trace and cut Template B.
- Reposition the template, aligning the right side of Template B with marked line on the fabric and along the straight edges of the fabric.
- Mark the left side of the template; trace the diagonal edge using a fine point non-permanent fabric marker.
- For each block, cut four pairs of diamonds.
- Use a rotary cutter to cut accurately on each marked line.
Stack and stitch pieces
- For each block, stack four of each piece, aligning the corners according to template: A-B-C. I call this Group 1.
- Then stack a mirror image, aligning the corners according to template: A-B-C. I call this Group 2.

- Match right sides and use a 1/4″ seam allowance to join Group 1’s A and B pieces.
- The template points match at the top, and the seam allowance of the small triangle extends 1/4″ beyond the seam allowance of the diamond at the end of the seam.
- Chain piece, feeding one pair of shapes under the presser foot right after another.
- Clip the chainstitching threads between pieced sections.
- Press seam allowances for Group 1 pieces towards the foreground or diamond-shaped fabric.
- Match right sides of the A/B unit to piece C.
- Repeat these steps for the remaining stack of Group 2.
- Press Group 2 seam allowances towards the background fabric.
- Remove excess dog-ears, or small fabric triangles, from the seam allowance of Group 1 and 2.
Create the Block
- Here’s the aha moment. Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to sew Group 1 to Group 2—Presto, no Y-seams! You’ll be sewing all straight seams.
- Press this diagonal seam open.
- Join four quadrants to create the block.
- Press seams open.
- A Lone Star block that was stitched with all straight seams is a pretty neat trick. No dreaded Y-Seams!

If you have a blog site, website, or online social sewing group, feel free to grab the code and share this button.
If you are on social sites like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, or Facebook, let all your friends know you are working on The 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks by tagging your post with the hashtag: #NZBoM.
The hashtag is a searchable “word” associated with an event or activity, which, when searched on popular social websites, like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook, will show every single post using that hashtag. Even if you don’t personally know that stitcher, you’ll see her/his progress and a photo. Hashtags are a fun way to network and connect with people who share similar interests.
What would a Quilt Look Like?
As part of this Block of the Month series, included are ideas of what a quilt might look like if you made it with only this month’s block. Some of the concepts have sashing and others do not. These quilts are a good way to brainstorm what this block looks like repeated.
- This quilt features blocks made with different backgrounds and arranged in long columns. With the added sashing and borders, this is a large quilt!
- Even though we used a progressive method to create this Lone Star block, a traditional quilt setting always looks nice. The blocks alternate backgrounds and are set with traditional sashing, contrasting corner stones, and borders.
- Turn this traditional block into a more modern-feeling quilt by choosing an unexpected color arrangement and eliminating the sashing and borders.
Watch Sew Speedy Lone Star Quilts on Sewing With Nancy online.
To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.
In the 2015 Adventure Quilt Block of the Month series, we’ll be making twelve fun blocks from five different templates/tools: Carefree Curves Template, Dresden Template, Grandmother’s One Patch Template, Lone Star Template, and the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge.
See all the 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks HERE.
Watch for the next block to arrive on the third Saturday of each month!
Bye for now,
Ann Webb
Nancy,
I enjoy your TV programs and have looked forward to each new block in the BOM this year. So far I have been able to make the blocks using your measurements and the templates in my studio. I am not sure I can figure this one out. Please make the instructions easier for those of us who do not choose to buy your template sets.
Carol Daudt
Hi Nancy,
Thank you so much for all that you do. I love watching your show on Sat. morning and I have learned so much from you. Now too you are sharing your block of the month, my very first quilt was a block of the month from JoAnn fabrics called “Heartland Heartstrings” it took me forever to finish but once it was complete I was ready to quilt on my own without pre-cuts. Now I am hooked! I have recently joined the MN chapter of “Quilts of Valor” sewing for the military and I am loving this group effort, I have a real purpose for those quilts and my time.
Again, Thank you so much!
Carol Daudt
Marilia Gris Teixeira
Qualquer um maravilhoso!
Marty
I bought your Sew Speedy Lone Star Quilts book and templates last year, and I just love how simple your method is to make Lone Stars so quickly and easily! Thanks, Nancy, for making the complex more simple. 🙂
Erin M
As always, I appreciate your creative approaches to sewing, quilting and embroidery. I love this technique and must put this book and template on my wish list! Thanks for all you have done in the sewing, embroidery, and quilting world!
Gail Beam
Nancy,
You always make it look so easy! Thanks for another great tutorial and video!
Jennifer Fried
Dearest Nancy, Thanks again for the Quilt block of the month, …….I love these. The old sew and sew, Jenny
Lorraine Theurer
Love the lone star makeover on the opening page.
Hope your doing well. My prayers are with you.
Qnique Quilter
We love following you and all your tutorials and videos and thought you should know that. Keep up all the good work. Have you had time to try out our new Qnique quilting machine yet? If you have what did you think. We would love to know.
Thanks
Qnique Quilter