Variable Star Wall Quilt

Only the weakest of people believe that love is the weakest of weapons.

Governor J. B. Pritzker

Quilting

My daughter called last week wanting two wall quilts to reduce the echoing of their stairway. The one from the second to third floor. They have an old house and the stairs are as steep as the pulldown ladder we use to access an attic. How did women get up these in long dresses?

Variable Star wall quilt

She likes very quiet colors like taupe. This one almost fits the bill and the top was ready to go. [plus, my granddaughter loves pink.} It was quick to quilt a spiral. I took more time on the binding including zigzagging the seams to give it more support.  

My quilts usually square up well but I also blocked this one to encourage it to hang flat on the wall. Finally I added a sleeve remembering to leave a space in the center and near the sides for the support brackets.

Quilt Specifics

Size: 46" x 46"

Block: Variable Star

Batting: Tuscan Rose 100% cotton

Thread: White Masterpiece cotton

Quilting: FMQ spiral

Approximate yardage: 4.5-5 yds

Reading

This is a book I might not have chosen but found tremendously interesting. It was a book club read. How grateful I am to expand my horizons by reading things others suggest and taking time to discuss them. 

Tom Standage hypothesizes that the development of civilization can be seen through the introduction of six beverages: beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-cola. Each was a catalyst for societal and technological change. Beer developed with agriculture through Coke's popularity from globalization. 

 

A fun and thought-provoking read. 

Enjoy the day, Ann

Woo. Pig. Sooie! Another Finished Quilt

When my son attended the University of Arkansas I made a quilt in his college colors. In fact I made enough blocks for two quilts thinking the second set would work for a Razorback friend. Of course, he graduated several years ago but... (insert various excuses here.)

I finally pulled the blocks out again. Exactly 63. Most log cabin layouts have centered designs which use an even number of blocks. Where was the 64th? However, sixty-three makes a seven-by-nine quilt: off-center but appealing. It just needed a border.

Another year passed until I was ready to piece it. Gwen Marston's liberated variable stars looked like just the ticket to perk up this quilt. They were fun and relaxing to make since you don't worry about the star points. I like this one better than the first one. (Don't tell my son!)

Razorback 2 quilt finished

The open spaces in the border gave me room to write the recipients' names, college, graduation year. My favorite is the college yell!

Razorback yell

Here are the fabrics I considered for the binding: dark brown, white, tan with dots, dark red, black with white lines, and white on white.

Binding choices for Razorback 2

In the mail today. Off to the East Coast. Woo, Pig. Sooie!

Related posts:
Liberated Variable Stars
Block Piecing Tutorial
Ready to Quilt
Razorback 2 Quilt

Enjoy the day. Ann

Razorback 2 Quilt: Log Cabin with Variable Star Border

I'm almost through with quilting! It's named for the University of Arkansas mascot since it's for a pair of alumni. While printed fabric doesn't show quilting as well as solid fabrics, straight lines on the red diamonds look great.

The feather is a new method for me. It's a gentle C-curve that just touches the previous feather and then it echoes back to the spine. It was very easy. While planning the stem I realized that any narrow design will work in that area. Since I FMQ spirals best I added those.

Feather and Stem quilting detail

I chose Leah Day's FMQ Project Tangle of Lights for the border. It's more open than many free motion designs and the starlights complement the variable stars. The quilting is about the same density as the rest of the quilt too.

The border is quilted with Tangle of Lights.
Notice the fine line of quilting that holds the
edge of the border in place.

Do you see the line of black thread at the edge of this quilt? It's helpful to stitch a straight line 1/16" from the edge of the quilt before quilting to hold the top in place so the edges don't catch on the presser foot. It keeps the border from developing tucks. I usually sew this in a matching thread but wanted everyone to see it in this photo.

Hopefully the binding will be done this weekend.

Enjoy the day!
Ann

Variable Star Border Attached and Ready to Quilt

I just finished these liberated variable stars with a variety of reds and whites/tans to make the stars sparkle. They make a delightful border for an older top. What a perfect pick-me-up!

Liberated Variable Star border

Sandwiched during the commercials of the football games this weekend.

Enjoy the day. Ann

Liberated Variable Stars

I read Gwen Marston's Liberated Quiltmaking II last month. Published in 2010, it's a wonderful book filled with photos and instructions of lively, colorful blocks. So when I pulled {yet another} set of vintage blocks out of the closet I decided to incorporate some of her stars.

Here's what I completed yesterday. The background and center squares are cut 2.5" while the star points were made from crumbs and scraps. What a relaxing way to spend the day.

Variable Stars - Liberated

Enjoy the day! Ann