Here is a much easier method using half square triangles.

I chose to make my block with three co-ordinating Christmas fabrics which I have had in my stash for many years. In fact I bought the fabric at Hetties Patch in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the Figgy Pudding line from Moda. The fabrics need to contrast enough so that the star pops off the background. I chose a light background with a medium and dark fabric for the star.

Cutting Instructions

Background

• Cut 4 – 3″ squares for the corner pieces
• Cut 4 – 3 ¾″ squares for the half square triangles

Background pieces

Star Fabric #1

• Cut 4 – 3 ¾″ squares for the half square triangles

Star Fabric #2

• Cut 4 – 3 ¾″ squares for the half square triangles

Star fabrics 1 & 2

Making the Block

1. Follow the instructions on how to make half square triangles as posted previously on Technique Tuesday. Make 4 HSTs with the background and star fabric #1, 4 with the background and star fabric #2, and 4 with the 2 star fabrics.

Star fabric #1 & #2 half square triangles

Background and star fabric # 1 half square triangles

Background and star fabric #2 half square triangles

2. Square off each half square triangle to 3″. I like to use the Squaring Up Ruler from Quilt in a Day.

3. Layout the squares and half square triangles as in the photo below.

Lay out of squares to create the block

4. Sew together squares 1 & 2 in each row and squares 3 & 4 in each row. I pin them together on the side that needs to be sewn so as not to get any of the pieces turned around – this will help eliminate any reverse sewing.

Pairs in each row pinned together

5. Press the seams in row 1 & 3 towards the first and third squares, in row 2 & 4 press towards the second and fourth squares. This will ensure they all next together when the rows are sewn together.

6. Lay the units back out as they were in step 3. Now you have the option of sewing them together as rows or as squares. I chose to sew them together as squares.

Units laid out in rows

Units laid out as squares

7. Sew the first units of rows 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 together to make two squares. Repeat with the second units in each row. You may wish to pin or not. There will be 4 squares total. Press the seam in the first 2 squares made towards the top of the block and the second two squares towards the bottom of the block.

Pieces pinned together

Units sewn into four squares

8. Lay out the squares as they were in step 3. Sew the top two squares together and the bottom two squares to create two halves. Press the seams in opposite directions.

Squares sewn into halves

Then two halves pinned together

9. Sew the two halves together to create the 10 ½″ block. I always pin when sewing units together with more than one seam to match. Press the seam in either direction or make a pinwheel centre if you know how – this will just allow the middle of the block to sit flatter. If you have already pressed the seam the pinwheel will not work very well. I pressed before I thought to make the pinwheel.

10 ½″ LeMoyne Star block complete

An easy way to make the LeMoyne star – no cutting diamonds, no setting in pieces and no templates.

Happy Quilting!