I didn't have many blocks, didn't want to make more but also wanted a queen-size quilt. As everyone knows I've always loved interesting borders. Setting the small blocks in a really large star was my solution. The navy points were too severely dark so I exchanged part of one point for a striking Japanese-style print. {I put the extra dark navy on the back of this quilt so historians would know this was a design choice rather than a lack of fabric. Just amusing myself.} I also wanted to extend the star to its points but, fortunately for me, it became too large. Chopping them off makes a much stronger design.
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| Shoofly Star quilt set in a large star |
It still didn't look right. I recall folding and overlaying various fabrics thinking I'd change more points out when ribbons came to mind. Now this is where I ran out of fabric. There are several different reds. Then gold because a second ribbon of red didn't look right. And somehow I decided to play with transparency where the ribbons passed over darker and lighter sections and crossed each other.
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| Border of Shoofly Star quilt plays with transparency |
This has always been one of my favorite quilts. I gave it to QS for Christmas that year {198? mumble} and sleep under it when visiting. It's a special treat to have quilts scattered across the country. I feel like a grandmother: I get special time with them but don't have to care for them. Audrey made good points about sharing quilts with others in a recent post. Funnily enough, QS didn't quilt back then but this gift inspired her to start. See; I still make my sisters do things. Ha. Tag! You're it, Sis!
Quilt Details
Size: about 90" square (?), fits a queen-size bed
Design: Shoofly and Ohio Star blocks, original border of enlarged Star
Batting: Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% cotton
Thread: cotton, gold metallic, and YLI nylon monofilament
Quilting: Walking foot, free-motion
Enjoy the day,
AnnInLinkz removed because it was hacked.
32 comments:
It's a really intriguing quilt Ann ! I enjoyed reading about your making process and design choices. Love that you left a clue for historians ! :-))
Very cool quilt and I like how you played with the transparent aspect of the bands. I sometimes think about how my quilts have ended up all over the world. It is humbling, yet powerful.
What a neat idea. I love it. And I may use it!
A lot of my quilts go to people I will never see or meet. It's fun to glimpse photos of the quilts on the recipients every once in awhile. The latest photo was of a quilt I quilted and bound on a burn victim in Bangladesh.
Absolutely a stunning quilt.
Ann, this is an amazing quilt! Love walking through your thought process with you. I’m not surprised that upon receipt, QS was quick to become a Quilter like Sister. I, too, love to sleep under the quilts I’ve gifted when visiting.
What a clever border. It adds so much to this quilt. I'm learning so much from you and Kaja. Thanks for pointing out the exchange of fabrics for one of the star points. That really made a difference, I think. It is a visually appealing quilt and then there's more. I love studying the fabrics that are chosen.
Wow - that is a gorgeous quilt. Scrappy and everything. No wonder it inspired your sister to start quilting.
Oh, it's wonderful! I certainly understand why it's one of your favorites.
Thanks, Sophie. Thinking about the clue still makes me laugh 30 years later.
Your quilts do go to the most amazing places. And no wonder. They are original, sophisticated, and useable. Keep it up, Patty.
You are such a generous quilter, Cathy. It is satisfying to catch peeks of our quilts in use. It always makes my heart sing.
Thanks, Gale.
Thanks, Karen. I always enjoy reading about other quilters' processes. Isn't it a treat to share with others - both the process with other makers, and the resulting quilts with family and friends?
The border makes the quilt. I found out quite early in block exchanges that two-block exchanges usually lead to very similar quilts. Hence the border effort.
I'd forgotten how much I like this very strong, visual quilt; the dark blue fabric makes it for me.
Thanks, Julie. It's certainly a delight to share quilting with a sister.
Thanks, Nann. Isn't it a joy when we still like a quilt so many years later? And we all have a few favorites.
There's so much to love about this quilt! The fact that you chopped off the tips of your big Sawtooth star makes it so much more impactful for sure. LOVE, love the transparency look in the border edges of your quilt. Really fun to see this today. I don't often play with things like transparency, but this makes me want to try again!
Terrific quilt! The large blue with the stripes is really super.
Wow - I love your quilt, just perfect for this scale challenge!
I absolutely love this one, Ann. The mix of the very precise piecing with the freer, less expected elements works perfectly.
Just for fun try doing a search on "sawtooth star vs. ohio star". Your quilt is beautiful and creative, but I believe that it is a sawtooth or variable star. No offense intended.
I'm sure you're correct. I'm very distracted this month and it's been years since I made this quilt. Thanks.
Great design and you get to see it when visiting QS, who was won over by that quilt's influence.
I like that inspiring story. Thanks for hosting AHIQ with Kaja.
This is why it's good.
How kind of you to confirm so many of the choices, Audrey. Funny how you inspire me to try applique in the same way this inspires you to try transparency again. I so enjoy seeing how we each get excited about aspects of other quilts and then find ways to incorporate those ideas in our own work.
Thanks, Paula. That navy was such a quiet print; I think that's what made the stripes work so well on it.
Thanks, Maureen. I'd forgotten this quilt but it's a great example of Kaja's scale challenge and it will be a while before I start anything myself.
Thanks, Kaja. After you presented your challenge I remembered this quilt. It had such a graphic character but also fit your idea very well. I thought it would segue to what I'm doing now... except I haven't time to quilt for a while. At least I'm participating a bit.
I am always intrigued by Kaja's work and was delighted to host AHIQ with her. We have very different styles. In fact, each participant has a unique voice. Seeing each person's work and reading their explanations are the best aspect of our linkups. I'm so glad you agree, Janie. Thanks!
Hi Ann,
WOW! What a gorgeous quilt, and what a labor of love. The center itself is spectacular but the border - can it be called a border when it is a pattern itself?! I am speechless and cannot express myself well enough to say how beautiful this is. Your sister is a very lucky gal getting to enjoy this in her house. You must love her very much! ~smile~ Roseanne
OMG!!! I'm in LOVE with your quilt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The stripes through the star points, the chopped off points (on purpose!), and the "ribbons" in the borders are all very interesting techniques. In case you need another sister to give this quilt to, I'm your girl. :o))
What a lovely comment. It's one of my favorite borders. I often think this would be an idea to reprise. Thanks, Roseanne.
Thanks for writing. It was always one of my favorite borders and came about in stages as I worked through the design.
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