Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Shadow Stars Quilted and Bound

The wise response to intolerance is not more intolerance or self-righteousness; it is a coming together across the ideological spectrum of people who want to make democracies more effective. 
We should remember that the heroes we cherish 
- Lincoln, King, Gandhi, Mandela - spoke to the best within us.
~Madeleine Albright

Quilting


A few years ago it seemed time to make something with a white background for our summer bed. I recalled the Shadow Star quilt my great-aunt made and found the newspaper clipping my cousin sent. The first step was to redraft the pattern, an eight-pointed star variation. Next I wanted a border even though the original had none.  It took several years to get everything together and I wisely sent it to Peg Collins for quilting. 

She completed just it and mailed it back!

Shadow Star quilt

Peg free-motion quilted everything. The border quilting is simple but...
 
Vase detail on Shadow Star quilt


she went to town on the center. Each star, indeed, each point has its own design.  Lots of swirls...

Shadow Star quilting detail

and spirals...

Shadow Star quilting detail

and circles...

Shadow Star quilting detail

and blades...



and feathers. Even some arrows.  Peg's free-flowing designs move across the white, helping the star points and the background blend even more. That was always my favorite part of this design and I think it's why I remember it all these years later. 


The back is an extra-wide blue and white print. 



Despite being a traditional border, it updates this quilt tremendously. The stripes are "hand-drawn" in several shades of blue on white. There was nothing in my stash that worked so I purchased yardage online which wasn't the right shade. Then I found this. Online, too. Gathering my courage, I bought it. Success.



My dear friend, Gayle, gifted me a yard of her green fabric which gave me enough clear but quiet green for the leaves. The stems are a plaid cut on the bias. And the charming vases are fussy cut from to show off the rabbits. {Unfortunately there wasn't room for the ears. 



This angled view gives me an idea of how it will look on the bed. {But we are still awaiting the bed frames which need repairs after the movers tossed them around.}

Quilt Specifics
Size: 112" x 112"
Design: Shadow Star with Vessel, Vine, and Floral border
Batting: cotton
Thread: white polyester thread
Quilting: FMQ by Peg Collins
Approximate yardage: 22 yds

Previous posts:


Perhaps this blog should be renamed Shadow Stars since they have been the subject of so many, many posts. 

Enjoy the day, Ann


50 comments:

KaHolly said...

Oh. My. Goodness! What a spectacular achievement!

patty a. said...

The quilt is beautiful! It was a lot of work and that work shows! Peg's quilting is perfect and really enhances the design. I hope you can get your bedframe fixed soon so you can start to enjoy the quilt on the bed!

Rose Marie said...

OMG .... what a beautiful treasure you now have!

Julierose said...

WOW--this is so gorgeous--beautiful applique (soooo may leaves!!;000)
The appliqued border adds so much to this one...gorgeous work hugs, Julierose

Nann said...

It is absolutely splendid, Anne. Peg's quilting enhances your beautiful design. You really, really must enter it into a show!!

Unknown said...

A tour de force! I've enjoyed the stars right along the whole process, but the quilting elevates this quilt. It is an absolute show stopper, Ann!

Gale Bulkley said...

Such a beautiful quilt. Congratulations on such a lovely finish.

Kaja said...

How lovely to see this finally finished - and what a finish it is! The quilting has a lovely feeling of spontaneity and I especially like how Peg has moved from one design to another.

Sue B said...

Completely stunning! What a treasure!

LA Paylor said...

this is one where each block is a stand alone beauty, then put together they create a whole unified rich work. Quilting is lovely and supports the work

Preeti said...

I do not love this quilt. I am in love with this quilt. It makes me want to be a better quilter. Also agreeing with everything LeeAnna just said before me.

Robin said...

So wonderful Ann! You work really all paid off in the awe inspiring finish. I didn't realize it was so big - quite an undertaking.

Monica said...

It's really beautiful, and the family connection makes it perfect. Congratulations, what a satisfying finish!

sue s said...

An absolute treasure and well done quilting!

Quiltdivajulie said...

It is glorious! Your work and that of your quilter combine to make a fantastically beautiful work of art.

Mel Beach said...

WOW! Her quilting is divine. What a beautiful complement to your pieced/applique design.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

A beautiful quilt!

Barb said...

What a fabulous quilt! congratulations on this finish. wow! I wish I could see it in person

Cathy said...

Oh my goodness! Wow! Your quilt is soooooo beautiful!

Laura D said...

Exquisite! Such stunning and beautifully executed work! And so lovely to behold! More power to you!!

audrey said...

This quilt is absolutely fantastic! I am in love with your subtle striped border fabric background--so perfect for the overall look of the quilt and the soft transition from the look-at-me stars. your border applique may read as traditional, but it's on the bold side as the leaves are a skooch larger than the typical antique style. Wonderful work pulling this all together. You did good.:)

QuiltGranma said...

WOWsers!

Ann said...

Thanks, Karen.

Ann said...

Peg did a great job. Her quilting updates this quilt. Hopefully the bed frame will be fixed this week.

Ann said...

Thank you. I treasure it.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julierose. There are loads of leaves but I'm glad I took the time.

Ann said...

Thanks, Nann. Peg did a wonderful job. I hand't thought about entering it in a show. I'll have to see.

Ann said...

Thank you. It's been fun working on this but I'm glad to have it done while it's still fresh. Peg's work is wonderful.

Ann said...

Thanks, Gale. I'm delighted with it.

Ann said...

Peg just freehanded across the surface and I admire her work so much. I'm delighted to have it done and hopefully on the bed next week.

Ann said...

Thanks, Sue!

Mystic Quilter said...

Your quilt is a stunner!! So good to see it with all four tulip borders on and that quilting is glorious, never have I seen such amazing quilting before. Congratulations to both yourself and your quilter.

Ann said...

What a lovely thing to say, LeeAnna. Thank you.

Ann said...

Thank you, Preeti. It's been worth the effort.

Ann said...

It's enormous, Robin. A bit larger than needed but, as usual, I got carried away.

Ann said...

Thanks, Monica. I'm delighted to have my own version of my great-aunt's quilt.

Ann said...

Thanks, Sue.

Ann said...

Peg's work elevated mine. Thanks, Julie.

Ann said...

Peg is a fantastic quilter. Thanks for writing, Mel.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda.

Ann said...

Thank you, Barb. I remember quilt shows. Wouldn't it be great if that was safe again?

Ann said...

Thank you, Cathy. It's taken a few years.

Ann said...

Thanks, Laura. I wanted to use my great-aunt's block but am so glad I updated it with the border.

Ann said...

Thanks, Audrey. My husband inspired the border when he said the quilt had lots of white. Isn't it interesting what a huge difference that small change made? And yes, the leaves are larger than expected even though I drafted the border. Guess I didn't look at them in relation to the stars. But overall, I'm thrilled.

Ann said...

Thanks.

Ann said...

I'm lucky to get a shot of the whole quilt. It's so large it doesn't fit on my old design wall... that I don't have anymore anyway. Peg's quilting is fabulous. She just does her thing. Lucky me.

Bluestocking said...

Wow! Just ... wow!

lvkwilt said...

This quilt is wonderful in so many ways! Love the stars, the applique, the border, and the quilting! Keepsake for sure! Are you considering entering it in any shows? I think you have a winner there!

Ann said...

Thanks.

Ann said...

Thank you. I like all those parts, too, and enjoyed planning it and making each section. It's very large so I don't think it will fit many shows. I'm not too interested in sending it out, either. But it's flattering to know your opinion.