EPP Moravian Star Ornaments made with diamonds are an adaptation of an 1830’s geometry lesson. The first known star, made in a German boys’ school had 110 points! This version is much simpler with 12 points, but still spectacular and a beautiful addition to your Christmas tree! Not a beginner project, you might want to try How to Make an EPP Star Ornament with Diamonds first. Best to tackle a flat star before going all 3-D.

For added effect, I fussy cut my diamonds to get a kaleidoscopic effect for each side of the star, but that’s totally optional. These stars can be stunning with overall prints, stripes or solids. You can make one with larger diamonds and leave one side open for a beautiful tree topper. Moravian stars are now used as holiday and Christmas decorations.

Are you ready? Follow these steps to make an EPP Moravian Star ornament with diamonds and create an heirloom piece to adorn your tree for years to come!

One (1) ornament

How to Make an EPP Moravian Star Ornament with Diamonds

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Active Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Difficulty: Experienced

Follow these steps to make an EPP Moravian Star ornament with diamonds and create an heirloom piece to adorn your tree for years to come!

Choose a fun print, colorful solids or a symmetrical fabric for fussy cutting.

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Materials

Fabric - 1/2 yard or assorted scraps. If fussy cutting, you may need more. The amount will depend on the number of repeats. Plan for 12 stars with 5 repeating diamonds in each.
7 inches ribbon or rickrack for ornament hanger
Thread to match or blend with fabrics
Thread Magic or similar thread conditioner
Fiberfill or batting scraps for stuffing
60 paper piecing templates - 60-degree diamonds with 1-inch sides
Fabric glue stick, such as Sewline

Tools

Rotary cutter (28mm recommended) and mat
Fabric scissors
Iron and pressing surface
Acrylic template for 1-inch finished 60-degree diamonds with added seam allowance
Non-stick ruler grips (if your acrylic template is not treated with a non-stick surface)
Hand sewing needle - size 10 milliner's is a good choice if you don't already have a favorite
Needle threader, if you need one
Thimble, if you use one
Wonder clips or similar
Chopstick or similar tool for poking stuffing into corners
Good lighting for hand stitching!
Seam ripper, maybe. If you have it, you won't need it, right?

Instructions

If fussy cutting, see How to Fussy Cut EPP Diamonds for tips.

Gather your tools and supplies. If you are not fussy cutting, you will not need the Magic Mirror or dry-erase markers pictured here. (Not pictured, glue pen, filling, chopstick, iron)
Place acrylic template on your fabric and cut with rotary cutter on cutting mat. You will cut a total of 60 diamonds, 5 for each of 12 star sides.
Arrange 5 cut diamonds the way you want them to appear in your finished star.
Center a paper diamond on the back of a fabric diamond.
Add a line of glue along one edge of the paper piece.
Fold the fabric over the glue along the edge of the paper piece.
Continue gluing and folding, one side at a time, until all 4 edges are turned. This shows the back and front of basted diamonds that are ready to stitch. Repeat until you have 60 basted diamonds.
Thread your needle with no more than 18 inches of thread and condition with Thread Magic. Knot one end of your thread. English Paper Piecing is hard on thread. It can weaken and fray as each stitch drags the thread along the edge of the paper. Thread conditioner prevents most of the tangling and breakage.

Place two diamonds right sides together. Burying your knot inside a fold, whipstitch one side together with very small stitches, about 1/16-inch. Each stitch should take a very small bite into the folds, catching about 3 threads from each piece. Knot and bury the thread end when you reach the end of the side.
For additional tips on EPP diamonds, see How to Make an EPP Star Ornament with Diamonds. Finger press the seam open.
Continue adding diamonds in the same manner until you have 5 diamonds connected. When pressed flat, there will be a gap in your star, but we're about to take care of that. (This is also where you can see if your fussy cutting was off-target for any pieces. Now is the time to unsew and fix it if it bothers you. I kept going.)
Repeat for all 12 sides of your EPP Moravian Star.
Right sides together, whipstitch the first and last diamonds together. Begin at the outside edge and stitch towards the center.
Your concave star will have a cup shape.
Complete 12 concave 5-pointed stars.
Joining the star points is next, but it will be easier if you get rid of some of the bulk in the seam. Chalk marks the cutting line. Note that a scant 1/4-inch of the fold will remain after cutting. It is very important that you not cut too close to the point. The points may fray if the raw edge is too close.
This shows the amount of fabric trimmed away from the point and the amount of fabric that remains. Fold extending fabric back at the point, matching folded edges. Press. Secure with a tiny dot of fabric glue, if desired, keeping glue away from the folds. You don't want to stitch through it.
Now we begin to join the 5-pointed stars into a dimensional star. Clip 2 stars together along one side, matching points.
Whipstitch along the "v". Because these stitches are on the right side of the fabric, they will show on the finished Moravian Star, so select your thread and stitch with that in mind.
Your first 2 stars are joined! You can see that I need to go back and tidy up a few of my points.
To add the next side, place a third star as shown, Whipstitch along the 2 "v" shapes, forming a pyramid shape in the center. Each dimensional point of your Moravian Star will be a 3-sided pyramid like this one.
Clip to hold the edges in place for stitching.
Whipstitch the third star to the first 2.
Continue adding concave stars, forming 3-sided pyramids with each join. At 1 of the pyramid points, insert each end of your ribbon or rickrack to form a hanging loop. Be sure to catch the loop with stitches to secure.
When 11 of the 12 stars are joined, fill the Moravian Star with fiberfill or small batting scraps. The paper pieces that remain, give the ornament its shape, and the stuffing adds a bit of stability.
Use a chopstick or something similar (I used the tapered end of a hera marker) to coax stuffing into the star points.
Whipstitch the final star in place.
Here is the finished EPP Moravian Star ornament, showing the rick rack hanging loop stitched into one of the points.
And here are the many sides of the EPP Moravian Star ornament:

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Here is a quick video that shows you the steps for making the Moravian Star ornament.

What is the meaning of a Moravian star?

History has it that the Moravian star symbolized Jesus or God, who are the ‘light of men’. The points represent the universal love for all of mankind. Some say that this ornament represents the Star of Bethlehem. Over time, the Moravian star became a symbol of peace and hope, in both Moravian and non-Moravian communities.

Is Moravian star religious?

The history of the Moravian star lies with religious heritage but now is used as a decoration with winter holidays, as a symbol of peace and hope.

Love this but not quite ready to make an EPP Moravian Star Ornament with Diamonds? Start with an EPP Wreath ornament for a quick and easy beginner project. Browse through more English Paper Piecing projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.

Check out more DIY ornaments on Create Whimsy.