Lone Star Barn Quilt Pattern
A classic barn quilt block you can customize and print as a paint-ready plan.
Planning the board? Use the sizing calculator for exact cell and border measurements, or read the paint color guide before you buy paint.
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Grid
- 8 × 8
- Colors
- 10
- Suggested board sizes
- 2′ × 2′, 3′ × 3′, 4′ × 4′
About the Lone Star block
The Lone Star is one of the most recognizable radiating-star designs in quilting, built from rows of diamonds that spread outward into eight points. Related star patterns have circulated under names such as Mathematical Star, Star of Bethlehem and Morning Star.
Star quilts also hold an important and distinct place in Lakota and other Plains Native traditions, where the eight-pointed Morning Star became a meaningful ceremonial design and gift. The result is a star form with a rich history across several quiltmaking traditions rather than a single simple origin story.
Learn more about the history
Tips for painting a Lone Star barn quilt
Prime both sides of your board and seal the edges before painting to keep moisture out.
Lay out the pattern in pencil first using a grid — every shape lines up on a regular fraction of the board.
Paint the lightest color first, then work toward the darkest so any drips can be covered.
Use painter's tape along straight edges and burnish it down with a credit card to prevent bleed-through.
Ready to design your Lone Star?
Customize the colors in the online designer and download a printable paint-by-color plan with a grid diagram.
Open in the designerPainted the Lone Star? Share your photo.
We feature finished quilts from real makers in the gallery — it helps other painters see how the Lone Star looks in different color combinations.