It’s not the North Star. But it is two new stars – the Morse Star and the Inklingo Star. And they’re both fantastic fun to stitch. And to fussy cut/print. Continue reading
Is It the North Star?
Tag Archives: LeMoyne Star
Candy Stars is Growing
I am staying focused on Candy Stars. In this photo, the fourth row of stars is added. Right now it measures approximately 13″ x 26″. Since the picture was taken early evening yesterday, I’ve added the next row of red … Continue reading
More and More Little Stars
That’s what I’ve been working on, that is. More and more of the little LeMoyne Stars for the Octagon Stars doll bed quilt. I decided to just get all the little stars made and spent some time on the weekend … Continue reading
Blogathon Canada and A Tiny LeMoyne Star
Sew Sisters, a fabulous Canadian online and brick-and-mortar quilt store, is sponsoring a week-long event “Canadian Quilters Connect Blogathon Canada” from November 19 to 24, 2012 to highlight Canadian quilting bloggers’ creativity and talent and give us all a chance … Continue reading
Scrappy Star Top Finished — Maybe
Actually it was finished on the weekend but we couldn’t get a good photo of it until yesterday. On the weekend it was too rainy and the grass on the roof garden too wet. Monday it was too windy and the top would have flown off, never to be seen again. Yesterday it was still a bit breezy and rather chilly, but we managed to get a shot of it laid out on the grass of the roof garden. One of these days I’ve got to sort out a way to have a permanent design wall. This waiting for the weather to be just right is a pain! We were lucky to get this shot of it as the wind kept threatening to pick it up.
It’s a good thing it was finished on the weekend before the New York Beauty collection came out. Otherwise, it might have been a week or so longer before it was finished.
Why maybe in the title? Because as it is now it’s a small lap quilt, measuring about 50 x 58. Mr. Q.O. likes it just the way it is. I’m tempted to add one more plain border all around and make it about 60 x 68. But for all intents and purposes, the top is finished because even if I do decide to add that final plain border it won’t take longer than an afternoon.
Now to choose a binding. I’m thinking something very dark to frame it. I like to choose the binding at this stage and get it made and ready, along with the label.
It is hand pieced except the plain borders. They were stitched by machine. But when it came time to add the final pieced border, I stitched that on by hand.
I know how I want to quilt the large plain borders. But the rest of it? That I’m still working on. I’m tempted to just quilt in the ditch around the squares in each round of the star.
It was made with shapes from the free Inklingo collection, except for the cornerstones in the final border. For those, I needed a 2.25″ square in a square and used shapes from the 6.75″ Storm at Sea collection.
I worked on another of the pieced blocks for the red and white Feathered Star/Sunflower border last night, although I was terribly tempted to play with another New York Beauty block. That New York Beauty block is just way too much fun to make! My ideas list using it is growing practically by the hour.
The crab apple tree on the roof garden is starting to look very pink. I can’t wait for the blossoms to appear as it really is a beautiful sight and the scent is wonderful.
I had tossed my sweater over the loveseat. I know better. The minute a piece of clothing is tossed there, Baxter is immediately on it making sure it has its fair share of kitty fur.
Scrappy Star Squared
All four corners are added to the scrappy star. Now it’s a matter of the borders. There will be multiple borders on this, at least two of which are going to be pieced. Right now it measures approximately 36″ square. The final size I’m not sure about yet, but it will tell me when it’s finished.
Most of what I need for the pieced borders is contained in these two boxes. That is, of course, unless I decide to add more pieced borders than I’ve currently got planned.
I haven’t graded the seams on this quilt top. As there are so many little pieces in it which means a lot of seam allowances, I’ll start working on this sometime soon and definitely before the pieced borders get added. As the pieced borders are made, they’re going to be graded right away.
And no, don’t ask — I have no idea how many pieces are in it so far and am almost afraid to check. I have kept detailed notes on the making of this quilt so far and will keep adding to those notes but I’m not looking at the total of the pieces until it’s done.
Baxter loves to get in little hiding spots. Perhaps he thinks that we can’t see him and then will be able to spring out and surprise us?
Scrappy Star Round 7
It’s now at 36 inches. I’ve decided to square it up now as I have a couple of borders planned that will take it to a good-sized lap quilt. The last round of diamonds took 2 evenings of stitching to add.
The back. I am so glad I pressed as I went on this. Pressing the last round took only a few minutes as I had finger-pressed as I stitched, but I can’t imagine how long it would have taken to press the whole thing at one time.
Last week I was put on a medication that initially has made me very groggy and I’m sleeping close to 12 hours at a time. That’s not the point of mentioning this, though. The silver lining has been the dreams! I’ve had many dreams of quilt designs and the dreams have stayed with me long enough that I’ve been able to write them down when I woke up. I’m thinking this is a definite bonus.
Mr. Q.O. captioned this photo, “Well, are you going to just sit there or finish it?”
Stars of Different Points
Among the stars I have ready to stitch are a number of LeMoyne Stars in different fabric combinations. They’re from a swap of Inklingo pieces that was done a couple of years ago. While I’m not sure just how many stars I’ll end up with, I don’t plan to add to them unless it’s necessary to get an appropriate number for a small quilt setting.
They take only a second to press.
Another one of the 6-point stars made with 1.5″ diamonds. When they’re all made, I’ll decide how I want to set them.
It rained all day Tuesday and, by the sounds of our forecast, is going to rain all day today. At one point Tuesday it looked like perhaps there was some freezing rain mixed in, but thankfully no snow.
Another photo of Baxter helping as I was putting the binding on the flannel quilt.
One Big Star
The scrappy star is still growing. With this latest round of diamonds it’s now almost 32″. Each round is taking longer to add, but I’m determined to get it to around 45″. Then I’ll add some elements to turn it into a rectangular quilt that can be used as a lap quilt. At least that’s the current plan.
It’s also taking longer to press after each round.
Baxter was determined to get in the picture.
Earlier in the day he was watching squirrels playing in the trees out on the roof garden. I think he looks like he’s smiling.
Diamonds, Diamonds and More Diamonds
Not a lot of stitching has been done this week, although I now have enough diamonds joined into pairs to start the next round on the scrappy star top. As the scrappy star has grown, I’ve found it easier to put them together into pairs and then, once the placement is figured out, join the pairs into sets for each of the 8 segments.
It’s definitely looking like fall now.
This birch tree has now lost almost all its leaves.
This is a shot of Queen’s Park, a park near our building. Some of the trees still have their gorgeous fall colours.
Baxter was watching me stitch. We think this is his Morris look.
Quilt Obsession 