Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
Spiral Lone Star – 48” x 48” by Jan P. Krentz
Experience an adventure with Lone Star quilt design. Learn basic construction techniques, precision piecing and
design methods. Create your own contemporary Lone Star quilt design with exciting options. Class incorporates a
variety of quilting techniques including design, basic drafting, rotary cutting, piecing, blocking, paper foundation
piecing and set-in seams techniques. Skill level: Intermediate and above.
Yardage amounts below are suggested for a Lone Star you would design in class. You will need a good collection of
fabric from which to build your individual design. Feel free to bring more (or less) yardage, as you prefer. If you plan
to make a large quilt, bring MORE fabric than specified.
There are many different pre-planned star quilts if you prefer not to design your own quilt.
Many of these designs are featured in my book, Lone Star Quilts and Beyond, available as a print-on-demand edition
(or purchase a used copy online from any source). Books will be available for purchase in class or from my website
prior to class.
Lone Star quilt of your own design – generous yardage estimates
Fabrics
Amount
Use or Location in Quilt
3-5 yards (especially for a large
scale print)
Key fabric for large setting squares and
triangles, OR for a border, OR background
surrounding a large pieced star
Light value fabrics
Medium value fabrics
Dark value fabrics
Bright contrasting fabrics,
also called “zingers”
3-5 pieces, 1 yard each
6-8 pieces, 1 yard each
3-5 pieces, 1 yard each
Pieced into the diamond rows within the star.
Also used in the setting blocks and triangles.
Specialty fabrics – optional
1/4–1/2 yard each
Woven fusible interfacing
(optional)
1-3 yards
Theme or Focus fabric
Accent pieces; provide sparkle, contrast and
excitement
Optional fabric used as embellishment; woven
tissue lamé, quilter’s lamé, lightweight sari
brocades, silk, chiffon, etc. (foiled fabrics are
not recommended, as the foiled surface wears
away from the fabric base and is extremely heat
sensitive)
To support specialty fabrics when piecing them
as a structural part of the design (as opposed to
applying the decorative fabric as a surface
embellishment). Do not fuse before class.
2-3 pieces, 1/2–1 yd each
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
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2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
Muslin or cotton duck (light
color) – for all Lone Star
designs
½ yard
White felt, flannel, or
flannel-backed tablecloth
2-3 yards (felt or flannel) or oblong
size tablecloth
Pre-wash before class. Used for the blocking
process – must be a medium weight firmly
woven fabric, not a sheer loosely-woven fabric.
Used as a design wall in class; pieces will be
pinned to this surface, and transported home
after class.
Spiral Lone Star Quilt
(48”x48” wall-hanging size, similar to the class photo) Fabric colors are suggested, as seen on my quilt. Please DO
substitute coordinating fabrics to create a color scheme for your own custom Spiral quilt.
Fabrics
Amount
1—yellow
2—yellow / orange
3—orange
4—red
5—red / violet
6—violet
7—blue
8—green
3/4 yard
3/4 yard
3/4 yard
3/4 yard
3/4 yard
3/4 yard
3/4 yard
3/4 yard
9—black (or other
background color)
Specialty fabrics – optional
Woven fusible interfacing
(optional)
Muslin or cotton duck (light
color) – for all Lone Star
designs
White felt, flannel, or
flannel-backed tablecloth
Use or Location in Quilt
a.
b.
c.
d.
Central Spiral star — diamonds
Secondary diamonds (near outer edges)
Corner setting squares
Four outer corner compasses
Background at outer corners; optional: add a single narrow border
surrounding the entire star (provides trimming and binding space
after quilting—preserves pieced components at quilt’s edges)
Optional fabric used as embellishment; woven
tissue lamé, quilter’s lamé, lightweight sari
1/4–1/2 yard each
brocades, silk, chiffon, etc. (foiled fabrics are
not recommended, as the foiled surface wears
away from the fabric base and is extremely heat
sensitive)
To support specialty fabrics when piecing them
as a structural part of the design (as opposed to
1–3 yards
applying the decorative fabric as a surface
embellishment). Do not fuse before class.
Pre-wash before class. Used for the blocking
½ yard
process—must be a medium-weight firmlywoven fabric, not a sheer loosely-woven fabric.
Used as a design wall in class; pieces will be
2–3 yards (felt or flannel) or
pinned to this surface, and transported home
oblong size tablecloth
after class.
1/2–3/4 yard
Lone Star Design supply lists on Jan’s Website - http://www.jankrentz.com/workshops.php
Basic Lone Star
http://www.jankrentz.com/workshops-supply.php?ID=9
Summer Salsa
http://www.jankrentz.com/workshops-supply.php?ID=10
Feathered Lone Star
http://www.jankrentz.com/workshops-supply.php?ID=11
Safari Lone Star
Refer to the supply list in Lone Star Quilts and Beyond book
Spiral Broken star, bedhttp://www.jankrentz.com/userfiles/file/Spiral_Broken_Star_Q_or_K.pdf
sized (advanced level)
Starburst
http://www.jankrentz.com/workshops-supply.php?ID=32
Print any / all bonus pages from the online supply list, including Lone Star Calculations, Seam Calibration, colored
quilt images, etc.
General Equipment and Supplies
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
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2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
Please mark everything clearly with your name.
Sewing machine with assorted presser feet, electrical
Acrylic extension table (or similar extension) for
cord, foot pedal, accessories. Machine must be
your machine.
cleaned, serviced, and functioning well before class.
Bobbins – pre-wind with medium colored thread to
Quarter-inch presser foot (if you own one)
blend with your project
Sewing machine needles – sharps, not universal
Glass-headed, fine-shaft pins
Rotary cutter with new blade
Medium or large cutting mat
6”x24” (or similar) long ruler
Quilter’s square ruler (12”x12” or similar)
3”x 18” ruler (if you own one)
Sewing / fabric scissors
3-ring notebook with several sheets of lined paper,
Glue stick or Roxanne’s glue-baste-it / use before
plus page dividers. Insert supply list and other
class when creating a design mockup. Bring to
printed pages from Jan’s website. Class handouts
class for general classroom use.
will be punched for your convenience.
Print bonus pages from Jan’s website:
Miscellaneous office supplies:
 Lone Star Calculation pages
Paper scissors
Mechanical pencil w/ eraser
 Drawing a Trapezoid
Transparent tape (red
Double-stick tape
 Any colored Lone Star quilt photos that
or purple packaging,
(yellow label)
NOT “magic” tape)
inspire you
Assorted colored pencils
3-5 zip-lock storage bags to hold small fabric pieces,
Fine + extra fine
(used to color designs
scraps, tools, whatever
Sharpie marker
and mark fabrics)
Rigid ironing pad – 12” x 18” or larger (limited
Partial roll freezer paper (for drafting setting
number of ironing boards available in class)
squares, outer compass corners)
Quilters Design Mirrors (optional purchase in class)
100 (apprx.) safety pins to secure project design
to preview design mockup
sections to your flannel or fleece
Fabric sheet or piece of fabric yardage to cover
Fabric marking pencil(s), pens (light and dark colors)
table at the end of the day
Optional supplies & equipment – Useful, bring if driving.
Large compass (for drafting) or 1” x 12” Omnigrid
ruler plus compass point set
Hot/cold Drink cup
Small personal fan
Advil / Tylenol
Assorted bandaids
Favorite chair (if
driving)
Chair cushion – strongly
advised
Eye glasses (if you
use them)
Sense of humor
Personal desk light (some classrooms have limited
task lighting)
Digital camera or phone camera – used as design
tool (video and still images)
Table leg raisers (or elevated cutting/pressing
surface).
2 door stops or tilting sewing machine support (to
tilt the machine toward yourself for sewing on a
tabletop)
Light jacket, sweatshirt or sweater
Students traveling by air, contact Jan or Empty Spools in advance to borrow or rent any of the bulkier items.
Cotton Patch (Lafayette, CA) is the on-site quilt store; they sell fabric and quilt supplies at the event.
Contact Cotton Patch in advance to bring specialty items you need:
(925) 284-1177 or https://www.quiltusa.com/ - email: cottonpatchca@gmail.com.
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
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2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
Preparation before class — Design Mock-ups or Paste-ups
1. The partial-quilt design mockup works for all medallion-style stars except Spiral Lone Star (because each
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
diamond unit is uniquely different in color arrangement).
Make several copy enlargements of the layout for your quilt (either 1/8 or 1/4 of the design drawing). Refer to
design options in the “Lone Star Calibrations” handout or in Lone Star Quilts & Beyond book for
Measure the height of a single row of diamonds.
Stack several fabrics, single thickness. Cut one strip at the measured width by 4”-6” long. Turn the ruler, align the
45-degree guideline with the edge of the fabric strip(s).
Sub-cut diamonds the same width as the strip. Make several stacks of mini-diamonds.
Position single fabric diamonds, filling the line drawing (paste-up or mock-up) with loose fabric pieces.
Review the design by positioning hinged Quilters Design Mirrors at the center of the design. Move fabrics around
until you like your color placement. (Jan will have classroom-use mirrors available to borrow)
Using Roxanne’s Glue Baste-it or glue-stick, stick the loose fabric pieces to the paper. Keep in your notebook for
class.
Make several mockup variations before class. Select your personal favorite.
(before or during class) Refer to the design mockup as your cutting guide. Each diamond equals one full strip of
fabric. Count the number of diamonds on the mockup, and cut the corresponding number of strips.
Customize your design – Options:
a. Add or reduce the number of diamond rows.
b. Split some of the diamonds, with a horizontal or vertical seam.
c. Create an “oversized” diamond by combining 4 smaller diamonds into 1 larger diamond. Fussy-cut
large-scale fabric prints to fit these larger diamonds.
d. Photograph large-scale fabrics; print on paper. Cut out paper (reduced-size) “fabric” and position it in the
setting squares or triangles on your design.
e. Consider whether you will incorporate vintage linens, embroidery, foundation piecing, pre-printed motifs
into the quilt’s setting pieces.
Design Mockup drawings
The following diamond layouts are options for designing your own quilt. The sections represent 1/8 of a Lone Star
design. Hinged mirrors are placed at the tip of the triangle filled with diamonds to preview the entire design. (If you
do not own mirrors, make multiple repeat color copies of the finished mockup and tape them together).
For planning and cutting purposes, EACH diamond on the drawing equals 1 strip of fabric (approximately 42” long).
If your quilt requires 3” or wider cuts, you will also need more strips of cloth per diamond (ie: bigger star will require
more yardage than a small star).
The mockups provided (next) are usually for smaller quilts, approximately 48”-60”square, depending upon the
number of diamond rows, the cut strip widths, and final borders.
If you prefer a bed-sized quilt, plan to do additional design work in class with Jan’s instruction to design a larger quilt.
(See design mockups, next page)
Permission granted to make multiple copies and enlargements of this page for personal use.
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
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2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
See Summer Salsa design mockup on the next page.
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
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2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
1.
2.
3.
4.
Optional: enlarge this drawing for easier use.
Apply fabric shapes, varying placement as it appeals to you.
Preview your design by positioning a pair of hinged Quilters Design Mirrors at the tip where the large * appears.
Create and review several color choices. The preferred design mockup will help you determine how many fabric
strips to cut.
5. For a Summer Salsa cutting yardage chart, please refer to Jan’s website,
http://www.jankrentz.com/workshops-supply.php?ID=10
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
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2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
4 x 4 Design Mockups
Optional – enlarge either of thes designs, fill with pieces of fabric.
Position hinged design mirrors at the  to see the overall design.
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
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2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
This is a duplicate of the Spiral design from Lone Star Quilts. You may use it for a coloring sheet with colored
pencils prior to class if desired.
The Spiral Design does not require a mockup (designs featured on previous pages) because each of the central
diamonds is a different color combination.
You may choose to create your own setting squares and outer corners for the spiral center design.
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
8
2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com
Lone Star Design Workshop with Jan Krentz
Empty Spools Seminars, Session III -2017
©2015, Jan P Krentz Designs
Questions? Contact Jan: jan@jankrentz.com
9
2017 Lone Star Design Workshop
website: www.jankrentz.com