Stargazer Quilt Block Tutorial

I love this quilt by Monica Solorio-Snow of Happy Zombie. When I saw Constealltions by Lizzy House, I knew it had to be made into a star quilt!  To make the blocks even more graphic, I removed the borders and reversed the colors. Then, I wanted to resize it to make a 12" block. Here are my measurements and a step by step guide to the block construction.

For each star you will need the following:
   (8) 4.5"x4.5" colored squares
   (1) 4.5"x4.5" white square
   (8) 2.5"x2.5" white squares

Draw a diagonal line across each 2.5"x2.5" white square.

Place one 2.5"x2.5" white square on top of one 4.5"x4.5" colored square. Sew along the marked line.

Trim 1/4" away from the sew line. Press.

Place another 2.5"x2.5" white square in the opposite corner. Sew along marked line.

Trim 1/4" away from the sew line.

Press and repeat to make four.  These are your star points!

Arrange your pieces as shown below.

Sew together into three rows.

Join rows to complete block.

I used 12 fat quarters for my Stargazer quilt. The finished quilt measures 48"x72". If you use the full 18" of your fat quarter, you can get enough squares to make two stars. A cutting guide and fabric requirements for additional sizes are included in the free project sheet.

Printable Version

UPDATE: I've added a bonus cutting guide for using Layer Cakes and Charm Packs.

Today's Mission: Quilt!

Madrona Road Challenge

Somebody kick me in the bootie and tell me to get quilting already!  I keep putting it off.  At least I marked my lines last night.  I don't always use painters tape, but this time it seemed like the perfect tool. This is for the Madrona Road Challenge.  Cute donkey is going on the back and the herringbone print will be the binding. Sweet!

I've made good progress on my other quilt too.  Wanna see??

Cross/Plus Quilt in the works

It still needs a good pressing, but I'm waiting until the top is done before I do that. Yes, I'm cutting up a perfectly good piece of white fabric and sewing it back together. My husband thinks I'm nuts.  He said in his best Sheryl Crow, "if it makes you happy". And it does.

Operation comments and questions:  I love them!  Keep them coming!!  I'm a visual person and I like being able to see your faces when I respond to you.  So... I'm going to reply in the blog posts underneath your comments.  See you there!  : )

A start of something new

Inspiration is a strange thing. I've been wanting to make a plus quilt for ages, but it wasn't until last week that I needed to make one. What changed? I wish I knew! 

I have admired, pinned, and favorited several plus/cross quilts over the years, but all of a sudden a layout and a color combo came together in my head. Once I had this idea, it wouldn't let up. I've been cutting, sewing, staying up too late and slugging coffee like a woman possessed.

This is an admittedly odd grouping of color and I love it's quirkiness. I chose the solids first from Pink Chalk Fabrics, and then I picked the print for the backing. It's not an exact match, but I loved the paisleys so much I had to have it. I couldn't wait for the fabric to arrive so I could get started.

FABRICS USED:

Kona in Curry, Slate, Bone, Jade, Cerise, Flesh and Pomegranate by Robert Kaufman

Somerville Study, Pindar Paisley in Sienna by Alexander Henry

INSPIRATION:

-Scroll down to see Rashida's beautiful quilt from her book, I Love Patchwork.

-The inspiration for Rashida's quilt came from this quilt by Maritza Soto.

-You *must* see this quilt from the Jonathan Holstein collection, which had to have been the inspiration for the Alabama Quilt by Folk Fibers.

-Modern red and white crosses by CB Handmade

-Antique red and white cross quilt

-Swiss Army wool blanket on etsy

-Table Runner by Julie

-Baby quilt by Amanda

Ok, I'll stop linking now.  There are so many inspiring quilts!

-A

Sunday Review 09

Little bits of awesome I came across this week. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and enjoy!

-This is such a cool handmade quilter's frame using table legs from Ikea.

-Look! It's my own sunny stencil (and head) on Lotta Jansdotter's blog!  : D

-This patchwork bucket is so pretty in it's simplicity.

-Have you caught the cross stitching bug yet? Check out Josephine Kimberling's painted version.

-The original six minute circle video with Dale Fleming! Thanks Hyacinth Quilt Designs!!

Happy Sunday,
-A

Stargazer, A Quilt Top

Eeek!  I finshed my Stargazer quit top.  This sewing stuff is fun!!  : )

I stopped by Julie's today to get some more Constellations for the back. My own little stargazer has been excited watching his quilt come together. He has requested matching pillowcases. Awww.

The top measures 48"x 72". There has been a few questions about how to make the stars, so I'm writing up a quick tutorial to share with you.

I've been procrastinating basting and my quilt tops are starting to stack up. You know it's bad when your non-quilting husband comments, "you are the queen of quilt tops!".  Well, at least he's paying attention, right?

FABRIC USED:

• Constellations by Lizzy House for Andover
• Bella in Bleached White by Moda
• Cotton Couture in Grass and Mint by Michael Miller Fabrics
• Kona Coal by Robert Kaufman (I think)

Sunday Review 08

Little bits of awesome I came across this week. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and enjoy!

-Leading off with a giveaway.  A Consteallations giveaway!!  : ) Ends Tuesday.

-Have you chosen your one little word for 2013 yet?  Mine is intention.

-Five blogging tips from a pretty and new to me blog, alisa burke.

-Cool quilt layout, maybe with some fun bohemian-ish fabrics? Or solids?

-Such a sweet illustration and the colors.  Oh my - the colors!!

Happy Sunday,

A

Trending: Mod Flowers

Have you been dreaming of mod flowers? You're not the only one! Look at all of these new great floral designs. They've all got this mid-century Scandanavian vibe, don't they? Each one is different and unique and yet they all have a common thread. Ha! Fabric, thread, get it?  : )

Top Row: 1) Orla Kiely 2) Joel Dewberry 3) Lotta Jansdotter
Bottom Row: 4) Ellen Luckett Baker 5) Betty Svensson 6) Jeni Baker

On the design wall: Constellations by Lizzy House

I was so excited to be able to cut into my stack of Constellations by Lizzy House this weekend. It's been waiting patiently on the work table. Pressed and everything! My notebook filled up with so many ideas that I had a hard time narrowing it down to one.

My son got a telescope for Christmas and we've been reading and talking about the stars and moon phases a lot. So of course I thought of stars. I kept the blocks big and graphic to really show off the fabric. Each star measures 12". The reversed layout also plays up the contrast of the stars. I LOVE this line so much. Especially the constellation prints.

The working title for this quilt is "Stargazer".

Luckily, I got to spend the afternoon sewing with my guild. All my fat quarters were cut up and the star points were made, but I ran out of time to assemble the blocks. I've been working on it a little here and there and it's starting to come together. Yay!

Sunday Review 07

Little bits of awesome I came across this week. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and enjoy!

- Make eight half square triangles at once!

- I see quilt!  And I would happily buy this wine for its label.

- Awesome, modern, funky pillows from Cosmo Cricket.

- Tsuru by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cloud 9 Fabrics.  So good it makes my heart race.

- Cut up that Kona Card?!  I just might. ; )

Scrappy Trip Along: A Top!

sizing it up on a twin bed

Frost!

The day started off so cold. There was frost on the car windows when we headed out for school this morning. It was a freezing 35 degrees! I know some of you are shaking your head. What can I say? I'm a wimpy Californian. I couldn't wait to get back home. This is quilting weather!! : )

a closer look

Originally, I was planning on making a lap sized quilt (30 blocks) for the Scrappy Trip Along, but I was short three blocks. When I sat down to sew additional blocks, three turned into six when I wasn't looking. Bonnie Hunter's strip technique is that quick and easy. After recounting the finished blocks I had, I decided to make three more. Might as well, right? Now I have a twin size. Yay! Thirty five blocks sewn up in seven rows of five blocks.  Did you get all that? I know, it makes my head hurt too.

so many great fabrics all in one place

Now to quilt it. All of those squares make for a busy top. I'm thinking an all over pattern might be good. Something crinkly and cozy. Maybe loops, stipple or scribbles. Rita's lines are gorgeous, but I don't know if I have the arm muscles to keep them straight. This is one heavy top. It must be all of those seams.

backing and binding

Choosing a backing was hard. Nothing in my stash felt right and everything at the store seemed so busy and colorful. I felt like Goldilocks: too busy, too bright, too dark, too light! Finally, I saw this Ghastlie print from Alexander Henry and it was perfect. Kona in Jade was a no brainer for my binding. Surprised? I didn't think so. ; )

Daisy Dog

Daisy wants to take another walk. Maybe later pup. After Mama defrosts. Brr!

Sunday Review 06

Little bits of awesome I came across this week. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and enjoy!

  
- The Balancing Act, choosing which balls to juggle in the new year

- Make a font with your handwriting. So cool!

- Two More BOM (block of the month) See what I mean?
     - Sugar Block Club
     - Skill Builder

- Fun Graphic 2013 Calendar (free printable) Kind of quilty, no?

- Pixel quilts are on the rise. This one done up in solids is gorgeous.

Still Trippin'

The beauty shot... about half way done.

Currently ignoring what's on the worktable...

At the machine...

Ha!  A little behind the scenes for you.

I'm still here, soaking up the last of my non-scheduled days. Last week was all about family, and birthdays (x2) and Christmas (x3) and this week is all about restoration. I've been staying in jammies as long as possible and only leaving for supplies (aka food and sewing needles) when absolutely necessary. The whole family is loving this break. 

This year's school schedule is crazy and the kids are happy to just be home for awhile. I'm happy to oblige! Both kids are growing so fast and I miss the days we could just hang out. We've been drawing, watching movies, making snacks, walking, playing video games, singing, dancing and of course, sewing. 

My scrappy trip along is still going strong. I'm trying to use all my sewing time on it because once school starts back, my sewing time will be limited again. It's been so fun checking in on everyone's projects. I love how different they all are.

Be back soon...

Scrappy Trip Along

When in Rome...

Or, I should say, when on Instagram...

I was catching up with my peeps before I went to sleep and I started seeing all these cool scrappy blocks pop up on my screen.  Brenda had one, then Megan, Katy, Ashley, Rita, Karen, Heather, Cindy, Faith, Megan, Lorelei, Kelly, Tammie (really the list goes on and on)  Yes, they were all making the same block! Together. On Instagram!

I sat straight up and thought, what the heck?! (Yes, I'm that quick, haha) They were all excited, egging each other one, "come on, you know you want to!"

Want to do what?

Make a scrappy trip around the world, of course.

How?

It's easy easy!  It's made with strips and a clever trick with your seam ripper.

Really?

Yes!  Come on!  Anyone can do it!

So I did.  And you should too!!!  : D

LINKS:

Free Tutorial from Quiltville

Flickr Group 

#scrappytripalong on Instagram

If you want to read even more about it, see these blog posts

Lucy and Norman 

Film in the Fridge 

Olive and Ollie 

Red Pepper Quilts

First, take the puppy for a walk, because once you start making blocks, you won't want to stop.

Happy New Year,
-A