Scrappy Spring Stars

You may not remember, but back in October I started sewing randomly sized star blocks from my collection of scraps.  In January I put some of them together to create this 44" x 54" quilt called Scrappy Spring Stars.

I used white fabric for background, arranged them in rows by size, then bordered the quilt and each row with an aqua cross print.  The backing features sweet little bouquets of flowers in pink and aqua.  The binding is made of remnant strips in coordinating colors.  

Scrappy Spring Stars

Quilting was a free motion experiment in triangular patterns with white thread, done on my Flynn frame.  It's not perfect but was great fun to stitch.  

I like learning new skills and count this one as a success even with a few flawed stitches.  Sewing for me is all about enjoyment of the whole process: design, layout, color, sewing, quilting and seeing the finished product.  

Beautiful things 

come together 

one stitch at a time

+++

When you love 

somebody, or something,

it's amazing 

how willing you are 

to overlook

the flaws.

Caroline Knapp

Walkabout

Bright colors make beautiful quilts, and this one's no exception. One of my goals this year is to use more of my older fabric. One cold afternoon in February I began with a cheerful red, blue, green, yellow and white stripe for backing and border. Choosing four or five prints in each color, I started cutting winding way blocks with the Accuquilt die.

Walkabout

Each block is different, random other than alternating light and dark hues. Sewing went fairly quickly even with the curves. I arranged the blocks on my design wall to balance out color placement. I quilted around the circles in bright yellow thread, then added another parallel row ½” away. The intersecting lines really show off the circles; on the back they look like celtic designs.

Walkabout is 44” square, a nice size for table topper, wall quilt or kid's play mat. This one's a winner: I used up more fabric and really enjoyed the project from start to finish.

Side note: Excellent sales for National Quilting & Sewing Month at my favorite online stores have tempted me to add significant yardage to my already overflowing stash. My husband kindly encouraged me to buy whatever I wanted, so I did not resist. He's a sweetheart and I will be blissfully busy for years to come.

Sweet Canoes

Sweet Canoes

What a darling little quilt to decorate a girl's room!

Four crossed canoe blocks of cream, white, lilac and sea green are bordered with a floral print. Cutting was simple with yet another Accuquilt die. I use them nearly all the time now.  

Backing is a herringbone print in white and sea green. I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch, horizontally and vertically in a square/rectangle design. It measures at 22" square and right now it serves as a mat on my sewing table.

I used up some remnants with this one, but don't worry, I caught a fabric sale last week and ordered more.

Out For A Spin

Color? Check.

Contrast? Check.

Balance?  Check. 

Motion? Check.

I clicked all my favorite boxes on this quilt, with the bonus of using some of my scraps. I cut black and white triangles with the Accuquilt kite die (it's getting a lot of use lately) and added one to a corner on brightly colored and neutral 4 ½” squares. I tried several arrangements on my design wall before finalizing this spinning star look.

Out For A Spin

Out For A Spin is 45” square. After attaching it to the Flynn frame, I free motion quilted scribbles on the squares using pale gray thread. Off the frame, I added simple swirls in the center of each star. Backing is a black and white print; binding is a tiny stripe.

On a side note, our weather here in Tennessee is crazier than usual. We've had no snow to speak of this winter, only heavy rain, making our yard a swamp. Last Wednesday it was nearly 70 degrees and I spent time out in the fresh air,  walking and doing a little yard work. Today the high is only 30 degrees, so I'll do my walking indoors.  On my to do list:  kielbasa soup, laundry, and sewing!