Saturday, January 9, 2016

Time to Make More Stars

Yesterday I got this far with Stars in a Time Warp with John Hewson.  I first wrote about it here.

Currently, 72" square

There are still four more borders to add, a row of stars next, a narrow blue, a 3" flying geese border and finally, one last narrow blue border.  The flying geese borders will take some time to complete.

This morning I counted the remaining stars and came up 18 short.  So, time to make more stars.  First, I divided up the remaining blocks into my favorites and not-so favorites:


This is my opportunity to make more blocks that are definitely favorites.  The less-than favorites have their place in any quilt:  they let the favorite ones really shine, they provide a "supporting cast" for the "most favorite" ones.  I just didn't want to find myself at the end of this quilt with only the "less-thans" left.

Next, I dug into my stash of my favorite reproduction fabrics and selected the ones to use in these last 18 blocks.  Some are repeats, some are new additions.



Then it was time to start cutting.  I make these blocks in groups of 4--the most efficient way for me to work.  Here are the first four in process:



You'll also notice some of my leader/ender project laid out too.  This is my Lifetime Quilt, I wrote about it here,  Those little half square triangles blocks are coming together quickly.  I have 3 complete 10" blocks done, each has 64 HST in each, that's 128 pieces of fabric/block.  And one more will be done soon.  I cut the triangle pairs from fabrics I am using for the John Hewson quilt, almost all repros.  Then I sew the triangle pairs together, trim them to 1.75" HST, sew pairs together, then sew twos to become fours.  Eventually, I lay out four rows of fours and join those.  When I have four units of four rows each, I join those into the 10" block.  So far, I haven't sewn any of the 10" blocks together.  I'm waiting until I have a wide selection of fabrics in those 10" blocks so the fabrics will be spread out over the entire quilt.  At least, that's my current plan, always subject to change.

Here are the first four stars done.  Along with four units of the Lifetime Quilt ready to be joined.


To finish the remaining 14 stars in a timely manner, I'll stop working on the Lifetime Quilt, other than using the triangle pairs in true Leader/Ender fashion, as I'm making the stars.  The star blocks will be done today, and I'll lay out the remaining borders ready for a day of sewing tomorrow.

Let's quilt!

Barbara



11 comments:

  1. Wonderful progress! It looks great! I can't believe how much you have completed. I would still be staring at my design wall deciding where to put what.
    Love those leader/ender blocks, too.

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    1. It doesn't matter which stars go where, just start laying them out--it will all work out in the end.

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  2. Wow! his one is going to be amazing! I starting cutting the other fabric for my SITW and hope to start sewing today!

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  3. Beautiful! I am enjoying seeing what everyone is doing with their finished blocks. Your quilt is awesome! Looks like you made your blocks the same way I did with the Wing Clipper ruler?

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    1. No special ruler, just the "make four geese at one time" method. Regular 6" square ruler for trimming each unit to 2" x 3.5.

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  4. The layout for the stars is very impressive. It's been fun seeing how everyone is playing with those stars. Your leaders and Enders hst's is also truly amazing. It's just one you keep working on and adding to it.

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  5. Your quilt is awesome ! Congratulations Barbara !! :)

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  6. I note from your photo that I have some of the same fabric in my stash. It's always fun to 'meet' a fellow repro lover.

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  7. This is simply magnificent! Wow!

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