Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Turquoise and Red Lone Star Quilt Finished

Ninety-nine percent of failure comes from people who have the habit of making excuses.
~George Washington Carver

Quilting

This quilt was a surprise for my newest grandchild. The turquoise/aqua colors match {or at least blend with} the mint in his older sister's quilt while the red is a stronger version of peach. Hopefully they will look well together like the beloved family they are. 

This variation looks amazingly like a kaleidoscope. A real one, not the quilt. ;-)

Main star in red, turquoise, black and green with smaller red and aqua stars around the sides
Lone Star quilt in Turquoise and Red

The easiest design for the central small diamonds was Orange Peel. It feels very comfortable to sew and was a quick start. Reaching the green border, I chose a repeating S-shape, similar to orange peel but one that makes better use of the space. I could/should(?) have quilted it closer but didn't want that section to become "background" like the stipple quilting on the white fabrics.

S shapes are free motion quilted along the length of the green border
Quilting detail on green border

The diamonds of corner and side stars are larger than the center diamonds and I wanted to try something new. After rewatching Angela Walters' recent "Help How Do I Quilt It?" series, the swirl hook design was the best choice. In the corner blocks they all swirl the same way and I found that filled the area most evenly. Both aqua and red fabrics are quilted with light blue thread. 

Swirl hooks fill each diamond of the corners stars
Quilting detail of corner stars

The side half-stars have the same swirl hook design but they mirror each other from one side to the other. The center pair almost looks like a heart. With four sides there's one heart for each parent, his sister, and me. Cute as a button for the baby who's stolen our hearts. 

Swirl hooks quilted into the diamond shapes are reflected on each side
Quilting detail of side stars

The remaining green that formed the border of the lone star didn't fill all the back so turquoise and aqua fabrics were added to each side. It's always fun to see quilt backs; the designs usually show up much better here. This is not quite the last of each of these because the trimmed-off bits are now in the scrap bag. This is how it constantly refills. 

Light green print with aqua prints to each side create the quilt back
Turquoise and Red Lone Star quilt back

The brilliant red binding was waiting in the binding box. How was there enough to fit all the way around in one fabric? IDK but I'm not complaining. It's such a treat to "find" binding cut, pressed and read to apply - even though I'm the one who did all that work.

The quilt back highlights details of the free motion quilting
Quilting detail from the back

Washed and dried, it crinkled up a bit more. Just the way I like it. Due to health concerns, it was mailed to my dear fellow grandmother who kindly rewashed it before giving to the baby. No germs here.

Quilt is folded so corner star shows along with part of the green back and the red binding
Lone Star quilt folded

One more beauty shot just to see both sides and the binding. 

Quilt Specifics
Size: 38"x38"
Design: Lone Star
Batting: Mountain Mist Cream Rose 100% cotton
Thread: Gutermann 50 wt white, green, and red cotton
Quilting: FMQ and SID with walking foot
Approximate yardage: 5.75 yd

Previous posts:

Reading

I finished Circe by Madeleine Miller this week. What an excellent retelling {and reimagining} of a few lines in Homer's Odyssey. Raised on the classics, Madeleine not only brings the nymph turned witch to life but creates a full-bodied character. It brings home how little significance women are given in the classics and indeed, throughout history. By the end of this book I was completely in sympathy with this woman, cheering her growth and delighted she found a full life. 

In the postcripts Madeleine calls the Greek gods a cautionary tale. They "reflect what happens to humans when we see only ourselves and our own needs.... They have forgotten what it's like to be told no and it has turned them into monsters."

This NPR review encouraged me to read find the book. Now I can't wait to read her previous one. And BTW, her name is pronounced KIRR-kee or KEER-kee although many English speakers {including me} say SIR-kee. I'll try to change my habit. 

Enjoy the day, Ann

24 comments:

jbettyb said...

That is a lovely quilt - the combination of colours,design and quilting is wonderful!

patty a. said...

Love the color combo! This quilt turned out fabulous! One more done - Yeah!

Julierose said...

Beautiful quilting on this lovely piece...nice work
Hugs, Julierose

LA Paylor said...

it's hard to stop using one way of saying a name... you get it in your head... kirkee... that would be counter intuitive ! the lone star... you've mastered them for sure. I love love the color combination here and the mama of the baby will too. The baby will be comforted by the crinkle softness.

Janie said...

Congratulations on your great finish! Beautiful color and quilting. Angela Walters does have some excellent tips and tutorials doesn't she?

Nann said...

Circe was very good. The Odyssey has had such an enduring effect on our literature and thus our culture. The baby quilt is just wonderful!

Nann said...

P.S. Thanks for mentioning the Folk Art Museum webinars. There was a FB meme about "Something else to feel guilty about: signing up for webinars I won't watch so I can get follow-up recordings that I won't watch, either." (Kind of like taping or DVRing TV shows, both of which seem old-school nowadays.)

QuiltGranma said...

Great job!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

A lovely quilt, lots of colour for the wee one! And your quilting is great!

Debby Dodds said...

Love the quilt -- I agree it does look like a real kalaidoscope!! And yes - Circe was so good! I listened to it on Audible and the narrator, Perdita Weeks was fantastic.

Angie in SoCal said...

Another great process post. Thanks for mentioning the book. Sounds like one I'd like to read.

Ann said...

Thanks, Betty.

Ann said...

Thanks, Patty. I like turquoise and cherry red. It's great to have it done in time for the baby.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julierose. I enjoyed the challenge.

Ann said...

That's the truth. I feel fortunate to be able to look up pronunciations online.
Yes. I've made quite a few Lone Stars. They are much easier to make in this size and it's been a great way to use up some leftovers.

Ann said...

Thanks, Janie. Angela is very generous to share so many ideas. It does take practice and baby quilts are just the right size.

Ann said...

I was sure you'd read this book already, Nann. I enjoy many of these "reimagined" stories. There are several authors rewriting fairy tales but this is the first reimagined Greek myth I've read.

Ann said...

Haha. That's exactly what I'm doing at times. I do remember when we taped every TV show we were interested in. We usually watched them once but then they just took up shelf space.

Ann said...

Thank you.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I enjoy pulling out the scraps and leftovers to make these baby quilts.

Ann said...

I usually read the books unless I'm driving long distances. I think I'll listen while I work but always get wrapped up in the project and realize I've missed the chapter.

Ann said...

Several people here had read and enjoyed it. I'd like to know what you think when you finish.

Mystic Quilter said...

Ann, such a beautiful finish! Love the aqua and red you've used in this quilt. I must have a peek at the Angela Walters Series you mention because you quilting is amazing, I couldn't attempt anything so detailed.

Ann said...

I like this color combination, too, Maureen. Angela is a talented quilter and shares her ideas very generously. She puts out new series regularly. Even if you don't machine quilt, these are interesting to watch.