5 Point Star Tutorial

This is Week 7 of the Grandmother's Choice Block of the Week quilt along.  The  block is Alice's Flag.

Alice's Flag is a pieced background with
an appliqued star on top of it.

One of the options for the 5-point star is to use a pieced pattern and make all of the points from different fabrics.

I chose to make the pieced star since I am doing a modern, happy interpretation of the quilt.   I took photos to share the method I used to piece and applique the star.

I love to do hand applique and hand embroidery.  However for some reason, I do not like to hand piece blocks.  They look messy to me.  So, I look for machine pieced shortcuts to avoid as much hand-piecing as possible.  Here's how I worked this star.

This is what the .pdf file looks like.
Note the template in the top right corner.

If you click on this link, you will get the .pdf file that has the layout and template for the pieced 5-point star. (the basic cutting and piecing instructions are on the blog.

1.  Cut one point from each of the five different fabrics you have selected.
I marked the beginning and end of the seam lines
with a dot of temporary marking pens.

 To accurately mark the dots, poke a hole in the template on all for points.  Then hold the marker over the whole for a few seconds until the ink leaks through the pinhole and accurately marks the spot with a dot.

BTW, I used two-sided tape to place the templates on the fabric,
then cut each one with a rotary cutter and ruler.
Take care to remove it gently so your bias cuts don't ravel.  

2. Using extremely large stitches, baste around the points
that will NOT be sewn together.  This will give you a line to turn under when you applique.
You can pick out the stitches as you applique it down.

Note: when you baste the edges, they will tend to curl under.  Gently pull on the thread, NOT the fabric, to straighten the edges.  Take care not so stretch those edges that are cut on the bias.

3. Prepare to sew the points together.
Line up the dots using a straight pen
to insure accurate seams
Sew two of the points that are side by side together
(you will have two pair)

*BE SURE TO SEW ALL THE PIECES IN THE ORDER THEY ARE LAID OUT.  It would behoove you to check placement twice before stitching!

4. Join the last single point to the pair that is beside of it.
To avoid accidentally stitching it,
pin the previous seam open and away.

NOTE: when you pin your edges, only sew ONE side of the pair (or you will feel silly and end up picking out one side, like I did. *sniggers and blushes*

5. Sew the pair of points that are already joined to
the other three points to complete the center of the star.

This is what the front will look like at this point

6. Turn the block back over the back to press the seams.
Press each seam in the same direction.

7.  Because there is a 1/4" opening at the end of each seams,
you can use your finger to manipulate the center intersection of seams until they twirl,
this is also clockwise.  Then you can press them flat.

8. Press the points in just past the basting seam.  

Then press one side of each point.  

Do not press the other side so you can turn it while sewing.

This will help make your points as pointy as possible.

9. Position your star on the background fabric.  

You can baste it down or you can carefully pin each section.

Take care that each piece is lying flat 

so you don't have lumps in your finished applique.

10. Continue to blind stitch all the way around the star.  

Voila!  You are finished!

If you find a step that you can't understand the wording or does not work for you, please leave me a comment and we'll try to work it out together. :)

Almost Advent
Part 1

Some time in June, I typed "tree Advent calendar" on my phone's notepad. By now, I haven't the foggiest idea what that was about or what that tree looks like.  It must have been a good project to start in June.  So I googled it, trying to spark my memory.

Whatever the idea was, this is the idea now.  Isn't this cute?  It's from SewMamaSew.  My MiL loves all things holiday.  I have a couple of weeks to throw this together for her.  Think I can do it?  If you are interested in taking this time crunch challenge with me, here are the links to the tutorial parts and pattern.

Pattern

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

There's a Flickr group, if you are interested in seeing what others have done or are looking for inspiration.  I was inspired by Sarah's calendar to put a Bible verse behind each leaf.

Bullet Blog



Tractors, travel trailers, trucks and trains!

Hitting highlights:

• 4th Fun and Byron's birthday: baseball game, rain delay until 9p, firewerx after game and after midnite, home around 1a.
• Took all day to recoup yesterday, lol!
• I have SO much to do... pulled out UFO's yesterday
• Finished a UFO baby quilt top (not perfect, but done)
• Granddaddy's 'transportation' quilt top is 2 seams from done!
• Also finished the baby painting.
• I'll get to use Kim's longarm AGAIN in August (I might get good at this!)
• Drawing and learning Zentangles like a fiend.  I am smitten again! (blog about them is next.) 

  Slumbering August

  
• Need new Sakura markers for Zentangles.
• New partner for ALFALC is Megan.  What a fun swap, I can't wait to get started putting things together!
• Found this fab tutorial from Megan: Toiletry Bag made w/ oilcloth
• BlockheadZ is going along smoothly.  Let me know if you'd like to join us in the fall!
• Off to finish Blockheadz blocks for Anita and Jenny.
• OMG, Jeffrey is getting married... on Thursday (I've know him since he was 6 y-o.  Doesn't seem possible for him to be a married man!)

ZENTANGLES!  These designs are formed by "mookas"



I'm Painting
(and I can't stop!)

I borrowed my daughter's boss hoss camera to photograph my PMC3 entry.  The removable card had lots of her photos on it.  One stood out to me.  I started messing around with it in the graphics program.  This pencil drawing was the first result. 

These are some of her charges at after school care. Aren't they lovely? Their smiles are contagious!

I couldn't stop playing with the image. Next, I cropped it down to the eyes and started adding color. Before I knew it, I had this great abstract!  It was supposed to be a painting.  The picture didn't tell me that, it was clear! 

The picture did tell me it was suppose to be a big painting.  The largest canvas I had was 24"x36" so that's the size of the WiP. 

I have a hundred quilting projects in the oven, but couldn't NOT start painting.  Here's where I am after a day and two sessions painting.

it has a l-o-n-g way to go... needs adjusting

Now that I have started painting, I can't stop!

WiP Wednesday

By late afternoon, it was finished!  Today, I spent several hours at Kim's house getting quite acquainted with her huge Gammill longarm quilting machine.  Last week, I quilted Micah's toddler quilt, but this was my first adventure with a full-sized quilt. 


The deadline for entry is approaching.  I've not been certain I was going to make it, but today was a super shot-in-the-arm of encouragement.  Kim coached me getting the machine loaded: top on, batting in and bottom sandwiched (I have a much to learn to master that process!)  

(sorry for this unremarkable photo)

 I chose to use an all-over pantograph design to quilt my entry for the Modern Quilt Challenge.  In sticking with my theme, I hoped Kim had a motif that looked similar to a cotton blossom, but alas, as far we know nonesuch exists.

After about four hours of steady work, the top was completely quilted.  Wow!  I was having 'one of those' day had only hoped to get it loaded.  I wasn't sure I'd get around to quilting at all.  It' far from perfect, but as they say, "finished is better than perfect."  And for my first effort, I am pleased with nbsp; my accomplishment.

unquilted quilt back



100% cotton

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

my ATC for the StitchTalk swap

today I am going to Kim's to quilt this baby quilt on the longarm

next week, I will quilt the top that contains these fabrics

this is my Modern Quilt Challenge entry

Just for fun...

Quilt Show and BlockheadZ

Tomorrow is the 3rd day of the Quilt Symposium in Raleigh.  I am meeting up with a couple of gals, Anita and Diana, that I have met online through StitchTalk.  I am EXCITED!  

Among the throngs of quilters, how will we find each other??  I thought if was wearing a nametag, I might be easier to locate.  I stitched one up last night.  I'll let you know how the meet up/show goes!


Those goofy lil hexies are about .5 inch across... too small for me!

It's my turn at Blockheadz quilt block swap!  I mailed out my fabric packets last week.  I am having my fellow quilters make "E" blocks, from a free quilt pattern by Brandon Mably. The quilt pattern instructions are not very clear, but the block is easy-breezy to make. I sat down to sew up a demo or two and before I knew it, I had whipped up seven blocks.

This is a 10 inch block (10.5 unfinished) and there are no tricky triangles or "Y" seams.  Of course, I like it because "E" is my last name initial (I don't know why Brandon likes it, LOL!)

I am using Westminster's Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably prints. The circle fabric called "Targets" is my inspiration and border fabric.  The others three pictured are colors for I have yet to make.

Moda "Grunge" in black.  It has gray and teal highlights.

For the dark/black spaces, I am using a Moda fabric called "Grunge."  It comes in several shades and I am smitten with its textural loveliness.

To make an E blocks, you need 2 fabrics:  1-prints or colors and 2-dark for the spaces between.

To construct an E block:
• From the colored print fabric, cut:
3 - 2.5” x 8.5” strips
1 - 2.5” x 10.5” strip

• From the dark fabric, cut:
2 - 2.5” x 8.5” strips

• Alternately sew the three print 2.5” x 8.5” strips to the two dark 2.5” x 8.5” strips.
• The strip 2 1/2” x 10 1/2” is sewn to the left side of the strip section to form the letter “E”

I guess you could figure out how to make other big boxie letters as well.  In the quilt the E's are turned in all different directions.  If I added dark/black sashing, the blocks would appear to be floating.  That might be fun.  It's going to be a lively, colorful project, for sure.

Carrie tells me she already had my blocks finished and has put them in the mail.  She is so speedy.  I can't wait to my "E'" blocks back and see what others have come up with!

WiP: Portable Project

Well, all of my free time is currently being spent basting and piecing hexies.  I knew it would be like this and I am certain the new will wear off soon and progress will be less consuming and productive (I still have those charity baby quilts to finish.)

I've gotten my stitching rhythm back and can baste a hexie in less than a minute.  I cut out several hexagons at a time, then stitching several at a time. 

For my 3/4" hexagons, I cut a strip 2 1/4" wide WOF.  That gives me enough    hexies for the eight inner pieces and almost enough to finish the 16 outer pieces (which would make part of two different "flower" sections.) 

The hexagons are suppose to have 1/4 inch to turn back for basting.  I cut mine from squares sized roughly 2 1/4"x2 1/4".  I willy-nilly snip off the corners and allow myself at least 3/8 inch edge for turning under.  See how the shape is kind of wonky?  Works just fine as long as it's more than 1/4 inch.

Yesterday, I thought I was having trouble with blood clots (again!)  I ended up spending most of the day in the ER waiting for a Doppler ultrasound.  Having done this before, we knew we'd be there for hours.  We packed water bottles, snacks and something to occupy the time. 

Let me back up a bit.  For my birthday last week, Byron got me a Marie Osmond craft tote.  If you are a gadget person, it's THE best!  It has everything except for a place to sleep.

On the outside, there are 12 medium-sized pockets, 1 large pocket and 3 divided sections in the middle.  My hexie supplies and personal items fit in there perfectly.

Hazy Blackberry pictures

While I waited in the lobby, I basted hexagons.  While I waited in the ER hospital bed, I basted and pieced hexagons.

How long did we spend in the ER?  I joked that it was 'one hexagon flower worth.'  I basted and pieced this puppy.

Since I've been basting in the evening for a few nights, here is what I have sewed up so far.


3 finishes 'flowers,' 2 unfinished inner flowers and some wild hexies
Those gray ones in the forefront are what I will use to separate and surround
all of the diamond shapes

 The blood clots?  Oh, yea!  The results don't show anything new, so that part is good.

 Okay, you are updated.... and I am back to basting, bye-bye!

Hexie Madness

I've done it... I'm getting on board with the hexie insanity that's sweeping the quilting globe. It'll be the traditional English paper-piecing method.  I ordered my 3/4 inch precut, reusable hexies from Paper Pieces (their price was best.)

I'm going to make Grandmother's Flower Garden, but I can't decide whether to: 1- do traditional colors and design with modern fabrics, 2- just blow off all semblance of tradition, even making different sized flowers or 3- meet somewhere in the middle. Any votes on that?

My quilt will NOT--nor never shall be--any of the ludicrousness of 1/4 inch hexies.  That sort of absolute insanity is the first cousin of postage stamp madness and incurably hopeless (TSQ is the closest I will come to these madnesses.)


the article notes there are a mere 60,000 pieces in this
king-sized quilt, give or take a few =O

There are so many appealing notions about handmade hexies for me. First, it's an old, old way to quilt.  Quilt historian, Barbara Brackman noted, "...many women who never made another quilt finished a Grandmother's Flower Garden."



from womenfolk.com/

  Secondly, the Gran's Garden charm is simply irresistible.  Face it: every aspect of hexies is just fun--unless you are trying to cut all of them by hand or without precut, precise pattern--but that's not happenin' here!  The potential is so exponential that you could  ruminate on the possibilities for the rest of your days, LOL!

Lastly, it's a portable project.  You can make hexies at home, say when you are 'watching' the baseball game or 'man movie' with the hub.  That's the time to choose fabrics, cut and baste.  Then you put them all in your portable pouch.  Then when you are sitting and waiting, you can whip them together. 

I guess a fourth appeal for me is the stash-busting potential, or at least frugal stash building.  You can add in a 'must have' new fabric by purchasing no more than a fat quarter or fat eighth, instead of buying up expensive yardage.  Another economy factor: it's a great way to use up leftover bits from other projects.  The quilt can literally become a textile scrapbook of your life's story.


see the hexies on this bag in the latest issue of Stitch?
(click on pic to go to magazine's site)

Just a few hexies sew on as embellishment are really cute, not to mention uber-trendy!  There's probably some of those hexies in my future.  For the big quilt, I imagine this is another nearly lifelong WiP.  You can follow my adventures as well as those of a few hundred other interweb friends at Flickr.

Last of all...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!
(yes, tha's right: anniversary, mother's day and birthday always falling within the period of one week. people always asked why i did that--should result in at least one nice gift :)

Wordless Wednesday