Starry Bright Sky QAL - Textured four-patches - Star Gathering month 7

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/07/starry-bright-sky-qal-textured-four.html

I'm a bit behind in the optional textured four-patches part of the Starry Bright Sky QAL.  This month finally had time to get the materials out, read the directions and do the stitching. for the challenge for month 7.

I had fun relearning how to make the knots for hand stitching...!  I like the method where:

1. Thread the needle
2. Take the long end of the thread and place it on the needle so the end is near the eye of the needle.
3. Wrap the thread a few times around the needle.
4. Transfer to the other hand
5. Hold the thread so the wraps stay, and slide the resulting knot so it magically appears near the end of the thread!

After I did some of the gatherings, I had to return to make it so more the fabric would be gathered.

Here is how it looked after I finished the stitching:

I don't have a steam option on my iron, so I left the work pinned on the board for a few days before sewing in the four patch.

Something was wrong with the tension on the stay stitching, but I thought it was making the noise when I got to a stitch that had to be sewn.