The names Star of Bethlehem and Lone Star are used interchangeably for this pattern. Equally fine examples were made with a single star, as well as a central star surrounded by smaller ones. In either instance, the pattern's name does, in fact, refer to a celebration of Texas, the Lone Star State. The first appearance of this pattern in the 1830's slightly predates the fall of the Alamo in 1836, the founding of the Republic of Texas, and the use of the Lone Star as a symbol of the new republic on its flag.

In its most basic form, this pattern features a central star without surrounding stars, appliqué, or other designs, and in terms of quilt chronology may be considered an adaptation of the Central Medallion format. Many examples do contain smaller stars and/or other motifs surrounding the central one, but these are considered variations on the classic design. Another variation, the Broken Star, connects the points of the main star with a repetition of each arm of the star to form a zigzag ring around the central motif. This variation makes a particularly dramatic presentation.

Traditionally, the Lone Star is made of diamond-shaped pieces that radiate from the center in concentric rows. It is critical that the eight patches that form the star's center be exactly equal in size, precisely cut to 45-degree angles, and perfectly aligned. If they aren't, the error will be compounded row by row, and the remainder of the quilt will be increasingly out of kilter.

Beginning in the 1920s, Lone Star kits became available for purchase. More often, though, these quilts started with homemade patterns and carefully chosen fabrics and represented the pinnacle of the quilt maker's art. Skillful manipulation of color, prints, and fabric can create the illusion of pulsation - a true starburst.