Once I thought I’d settled on the fabrics to use with the wild floral kaleidoscope stars, I couldn’t resist getting started. Off to the ironing board I went, as I wanted to print enough of the hexagon, kites and little triangles to make the four-patch units that surround the stars for at least one block. When I looked at the wrong side of the metallic fabric that I’d picked out for the kites, I decided I wanted to try using the wrong side as well as the metallic side. So first I made 12 of the four-patch units – 6 with metallic kites, 6 with the non-metallic side of that same fabric.
I laid them out with a star, just to get an idea. Then I took photos and looked and looked and looked at them.
First the star laid out with the four-patch unit that has the kites made with the non-metallic side showing.
Then the star with the kites made with the metallic side showing. I stared at those two photos for hours and hours. Finally, I decided to use the fabric showing the metallic side for the kites.
Even as I cut them out, I was thinking that the fabric for the little triangles was too strong. But the photos definitely made the decision easier. I tried one other fabric – didn’t even take pictures of it as it was definitely wrong.
So what did I end up using?
This, the batik I had originally thought of using. And it is quite soft, but that’s just fine as I want everything about the blocks to make the stars shine.
Finally, the first Not So Silent Garden block was sewn together.
The back after pressing and grading the seams. This time I’m grading the seams as I go as the metallic fabrics are a bit thicker than most. This will make the eventual quilt top a lot lighter than it would be had I not graded those seams. I’m also grading the seams before I press because it’s a bit of a challenge pressing those thicker fabrics as well as I’d like. So every little bit I can reduce that bulk helps.
“Not So Silent Garden”
Jake was watching out the window yesterday, hoping to see some squirrel activity.
Baxter makes us laugh when he gets in that little house. This time he had one front and one back paw hanging out.
Quilt Obsession 
Nice decisions! They’re going to be really neat blocks!
Baxter is a hoot!
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I am going to make one more of these blocks right away and then it’s back to the rotation. I’m going to have to be really determined to just stick to the rotation plan I’ve got going and add them in – because I want to make at least half a dozen of these right now!! Baxter always finds a way to make us laugh, it seems.
Cathi
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I’m not a big fan of fabrics with metallic on them but do have a few that are just tiny dots like glitter. I definitely like yours with the metallic showing.
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I normally wouldn’t have even thought about using these particular metallic fabrics as they were made by a company whose fabrics I generally avoid, but that floral print I used for the stars was irresistible. I like working with some metallics, but only from certain manufacturers.
Cathi
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Cathi…love your final choice of fabrics for your Not So Silent Garden Block. Have to admit that I am a dog person, but I just love the photos of your two cats. I know they must give you a lot of enjoyment. Betsy
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Thank you, Betsy! I thought I’d never get that final choice made for the little triangle – I’m so glad I kept going back to the batik I had originally pulled out for it. Thank you – we really do enjoy the antics of these two cats and, for that matter, all the cats who came before them in this household. We are cat people, although Mr. Q.O. is very, very popular with the dogs in the building – I think he knows every single one of them by name and they all make a beeline for him.
Cathi
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I really like the fabric choices you’ve made. The block looks lovely as usual. One quick question…when you make fussy cut the stars, do you use the stack and whack method and only do the Inklingo printing on one sheet of fabric?
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Thank you – at one point on the weekend it felt as though I’d never decide on that fabric for the little triangle but I’m glad I kept going back to the original batik I had picked out as it turns out it was the right one!
I print identical sheets of fabric using the Inklingo no-waste fussy cutting method shown on Linda’s March 25, 2017 blog post “Fussy Cutting with Inklingo – Part 2.”
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Thanks for the link. Slightly different from the pinning and cutting method. This looks even better.
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It is a far better method, I think, as printing the identical sheets means we have the sewing lines and matching points on every shape, not just one, which makes it so much more fun when piecing. If you do a search on Linda’s blog about no-waste fussy cutting, you’ll find a few more blog posts about it.
Cathi
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Thank you. I’m learning lots 🙂.
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LOL I am enjoying going back and looking over your toons! So funny. Your garden blocks are beautiful too!
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Thank you – Mr. Q.O.’s toons always make me laugh!
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