Starry Bright Sky QAL: The finished blocks - now to decide layout!

This has been a year long project, so of course I have misplaced a few blocks.

I was planning on making a few more, but now I have to so I have a square or rectangle quilt! : )  There are two older blocks I put in as place savers.

Guess I will end up with either 20 blocks or perhaps 24 or even 25. We'll see!

Click to see what others have submitted.  Some people have already finished not only sewing the blocks together, but quilting and binding their projects!

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Curved Paper Piecing 11b

The last block design was revealed at the first of the month.  It took me a while to print the pattern pieces out.  I had unknowingly clicked something at the lower left so everything was printing out in reverse.  If it happens again I know what to uncheck!

I did the second option as it looked more like a star to me, and that is what the theme to me was for the year...

It is paper piecing.  Took a couple of tries to remember how to do, but it is done now.  I had forgotten the step of folding the lines and then trimming the fabric so it is 1/4 inch from the line, but once I remembered that it went together rather quickly (for me).  One afternoon.  Maybe three hours?

I just have to find the other blocks and put this project together now!

In person the blue in the center spoke and the strip around it are different shades of blue.  It's a little distracting the way it shows in the photo.

I'm linking to the others so you can see how they interpreted the block:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/11/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-11.html

I've been very busy and notice I have not blogged in a while, but I wanted to be sure to get this block posted so I could be in the drawing!  : )

Starry Bright Sky QAL - EXTRA Hexagon blocks 3 and 4 made with equilateral triangles

We have been using Teresa's blocks for the textured four patch blocks, but I found this video and it caught my eye. I thought it would be a fun additional block in the quilt... so made one with my blue and yellow fabric!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAilV_i2c6c

To enlarge the block and to make the block square, I added the extra strips. Very fun block to make!


This is not one of Alida's 22 designs, but I think it will be a nice addition to the quilt anyway...!

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Embroidery Pattern 10b

Hmm.  Alida hasn't updated the website yet, but she did send out the patterns for the month.  This time the technique is embroidery. The pattern has directions for different ways to mark the design and how to do different hand stitches.  But as always it's open to interpretation...

I cut my star shapes out of freezer paper, then pressed them where I wanted them to appear on the block...

Then I referred to my sewing machine manual and found a stitch I thought would work to make the stars stand out.  (I had gone to a quilting shop, but they did not have any 12 weight thread in grey! So I decided to make use of what I already had).

Sewing Machine Manual download link:
http://download.brother.com/welcome/doch000470/bc21es20cs60ce50ex66xr6677ug10en.pdf
I used stretch stitch 03 with the default settings.  When I was looking at the manual I didn't notice the name.  It was a nice sharp repeating design that made the stars stand out using regular thread so it fit my needs of making the regular thread stand out and appear thicker.

I completed the stitching in a short period of time.  Was originally just going to do one star, but it went so quickly I continued until I was done.

 I used my clover 'cheater' needle to bring the threads so they were all on the back.  Tied the pairs up with two knots and then left the thread long as I am not sure how short I should cut them.  I guess it's good the background fabric is so dark...  For the thread I used the Isacord Polyester Thread that Leah Day recommends for quilting. I'm not sure if that is what I'm supposed to be using for this kind of stitching.  I use cotton thread when piecing though.

Update:  Alida has updated her blog now!  The link to see how others are interpreting the block is:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/10/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-10.html

I'm not sure how this will be quilted in the final quilt.  Sometimes wish I was doing these all Quilt as You Go so the stitching would already be in the batting.  Oh well.

I have found at least two other pieced star blocks that I'm going to make to add to the Starry Bright Sky QAL quilt - they will be posted soon!  I have done most of the blocks Alida has prepared, so may go back and do more of them.... Or maybe will go ahead and try to create the final block, it's sort of a New York Beauty block but looks to have blunt ends instead of a lot of points.

I started with a selection of blues and yellows for this project and have just been grabbing what was handy really when preparing the blocks. Handy meaning piecing that were already cut in strips or sizes that would still leave me with larger pieces of fabric.

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern 9b

This month is fun - we are doing a foundation paper piecing block!

I am starting with the second block, but have the paper part all ready for the first block too.  I'm busy getting ready to go to a wedding, and then dog sitting and visiting friends on the East coast so get to do that first!

It was an easy pattern to prepare and sew.  Completed it all in one sitting!

I like the way the paper lets you know when you have misaligned the pieces.  I had to add two extra bits of blue to fill the block out...

I've only done a few other paper pieced blocks.  The best was a beautiful deer design that I found online at Julianna's site at: http://jednoiglec.blogspot.com/2012/12/not-so-spring-deer-pattern.html

I sent it off to Katrin in Germany when I was mailing her some blocks she was compiling into a quilt for a friend with an ill child...  I just peeked at her blog and see she has been working on adding blocks to surround the deer block!

The link to see all the other interpretations of the blocks is at:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/09/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-9.html

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.

Starry Bright Sky QAL: English Paper Piecing Pattern 8a

Link to see how others interpreted this block:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/08/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-8.html

In my quest to avoid hand stitching I found a site where I learned how to make an eight pointed star:

(I realized after looking closer that y-seams might be involved, so I jumped on the method taught at this site)

https://www.quiltingcompany.com/lemoyne-star-quilt-block-without-set-in-seams-free-block-builders-workshop-video-lesson/

So here is my block!

Front 

Back

I found a nice tutorial for marking the pieces that I may use another time (it's a variation of what I did two years ago when I did the hexagons for Alida's challenge.)

I need to get more comfortable with hand stitching, but pleased that I figured out a way to complete the blocks!

Starry Bright Sky QAL: English Paper Piecing Pattern 8b

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/08/starry-bright-sky-qal-pattern-8.html

I have trouble with all hand stitching.  So again I had to adapt the design and methods for the blocks.

I did make freezer paper templates for the design, but I put the pieces together and sewed them.  I decided to keep going and to sew the background pieces on too.  I was at a quilt away from home sewing event when I did this and I realized I didn't have the fabric I thought I had stacked to bring, so it came out a little differently than I had envisioned.  But I'm pleased with the effect.  (Originally I was going to put additional points on some of the pieces so it looked more like a star, but now it looks like a planet or maybe a meteor like we saw last weekend while in Colorado. Cool!)

I could have been more deliberate with the way the seams went, it could have added additional detail in the final block.  

To see what the others have completed click here:

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/08/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-8.html

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Fabric Weaving Pattern 7a

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/07/starry-bright-sky-qal-pattern-7.html

While I was in Ireland I ordered the wefty needles, I watched the videos I could find, and was really excited to try this new-to-me way of making fabric.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xlUirFs0Kg -
Tumbling Blocks Madweave Tutorial (Wefty)

Fabric Weaving: Triaxial Tumbling Blocks Weave -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ3EvDHUcCQ

Fundamentals of Fabric Weaving with Mister Domestic -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VhYyI5SmN4

I watched more than this while there and once I returned...  I decided to set things up using the bottom of a box I was given at Costco.  Worked well.  I felt good that I didn't go to store to buy the foam core board.

Also, I didn't have the recommended lightweight woven fusible, but I used tape to secure the piece and was able to remove it quite well.

So that wasn't the problem.  

Here you can see that I drew the grid on the box, and used painters tape to secure so I could remove it to the sewing machine...

I just need more help and different directions so I can get the correct pattern in my work.  Maybe an example where a different fabric was used for the different sections - just to get where to do the weaving! I'm not sure if my error was made in level two or/and level three...

So this is what I ended up with.  Not happy with it.  Maybe will make a pillow top, or maybe not.

Other people were able to do the design as planned, and some did not.  http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/07/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-7.html  I submitted my block via email, I received the next month's pattern but just now it doesn't look like she posted my image on the linky.  Oh well.

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Curved Piecing Pattern 6a

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/06/starry-bright-sky-qal-pattern-6.html

I had the pieces for this block in my stash....  A while back I had this vision of making a blue and yellow dot quilt, but it wasn't coming together.  It was this selection of fabric though that I have been using for the Starry Bright Sky QAL this year.  These are my longest to have favorite colors: blue and yellow.

I had to trim to make the correct size...

I'll link to her linky:

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/06/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-6.html

(almost forgot to do this, but she emailed me I won the second gift for last month's drawing and that reminded me!)

It's really fun to see how everyone is interpreting the designs.

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Curved Piecing Pattern 6b

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/06/starry-bright-sky-qal-pattern-6.html

This is my favorite kind of piecing.  I did it differently than Alida had in her pattern, but the result is similar and I think very nice.

I'll link to her linky @
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/06/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-6.html

It's really fun to see how everyone is interpreting the designs.

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/

Starry Bright Sky QAL - Textured four-patches - Cross Tucking month 5

I completed Alida's Starry Bright Sky QAL fifth textured four patch challenge!

Instead of marking the grid as it was described in the original posting, I modified so it is (I believe) as Alida did her block for the quilt.  That is I was consistent in the folding so it was every two inches.

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Pattern 5b Fabric Cut Out/Snowflake

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/05/starry-bright-sky-pattern-5.html

Here is the second Fabric Cut Out/Snowflake block I completed. For this one I changed the pressure foot so I could surround the piece with blanket stitching. This one was easier to stitch things one circle at a time, the stitches are more organized than the first one completed.

Sort of a relaxing kind of block to do.  It will be interesting to see how the other folks interpret the challenge!

I'm linking up to the sharing screen for the blocks for the Starry Bright Sky QAL:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/05/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-5.html

It's fun to see how everyone is interpreting the blocks Alida has designed for us!

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/

Starry Bright Sky QAL: Pattern 5a Fabric Cut Out/Snowflake

Alida sent out the pattern for the block to the folks who posted photos of the previous month's assignment.  This time she challenges us to cut out a fabric snow flake, then to mount it on back ground fabric to make a 12.5 inch block.

I did this pretty quickly...
I practiced using some construction paper. The paper was way too thick to cut all the design, but I liked the way it looked.

 I didn't have and fusible fabric so I just starched the fabric before I folded it, and when I put it on the background.  I used painters tape to keep the cut piece in place and it worked fine.

This was the first one I completed today.  I kept the walking foot on, and stitched close to all the cut areas.

It will be interesting to see how the other folks interpret the challenge!

I'm linking up to the sharing screen for the blocks for the Starry Bright Sky QAL:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2018/05/starry-bright-sky-qal-linky-month-5.html

It's fun to see how everyone is interpreting the blocks Alida has designed for us!

http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/

I'll post the next block in the next post!

Added 6-4-18:  Went to an open house and saw this pretty snowflake pillow on the guest bedroom.  They also had a textured pillow...

Starry Bright Sky QAL - Textured four-patches - Centered Tucks with Bow Ties Month 3

I finished another textured four-patch for Alida's Starry Bright Sky QAL!

The link to this QAL block is here! The procedures for this are linked to from her site, they are from Teresa at Teresa Down Under.  

This one was intimidating for me as it involved some hand stitching...  The first time I used the same thread to do all the tying....  But then I realized it would be easy enough to do each one separately.

I brought the needle from the back in the seam to the center of the marked location, then looped the thread three times before returning in thru the fabric to the seam in the back.  Then I took a bite of fabric and brought the thread thru the loop, three time before I pulled the thread tight and cut it off.

Didn't seem stable to leave it this way!

It was important to bring in to the seam line, when I did not do that (instead I brought it to the center of the tuck) the stitching line was visible.  So if you are going to do this texture remember that!

I understand the reason for the stitching in the center the opposite direction, but I find that distracting, even though I used thread that was pretty close to the color of the fabric.  Now that I am comfortable with the knots I think I'd do two knots at that location, and maybe add a little bow tie to the center.  Maybe it would be too busy.  I'll try to try that later.

Starry Bright Sky QAL - Textured Four-Patches - Gathered Strip Month 4

This year Alida is adding a free event to her quilt along, textured four-patches.  The procedures for this are linked to from her site, they are from Teresa at Teresa Down Under.  What a great collaboration!

This was a easy block to make.

My only tip would be to use a different color in the bobbin, then it would be easy to know which threads to pull to make the gather.

To be sure it doesn't unravel I sewed at the exposed ends of the yellow strips - about 1/8 inch from the edge.

I found this darker blue so decided to start putting it in the quilt.  I hope it doesn't distract from the other shades.

Thanks Alida!

Here is the link to her blog with all the information:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/p/starry-bright-sky-qal-2018.html

===========

Ireland

I'm going to go to Ireland the end of June and July.  The first part I will be with my husband.  We will have a few days to get acclimated to the time zone and location, and visit a former student I hope in Ireland but in the north,  then his American cousins will be joining us.  We will have about 10 days with them.  Well, I will.  My husband is speaking at a conference for 3 or 4 of those days so he will be tied up with that.  Then we have 3 or 4 days staying at an Irish cousin's house.  I have only met her daughter and her friends but had fun taking them around a few years ago.  So we are staying at her mother's place - she has a guest house and wanted us to stay there.  The other American cousins will be at a hotel nearby and we will hook up with them for site seeing every day.  There is going to be a reunion party that we will be helping out with and attending.  Then we end with a few days in Dublin - and say our goodbyes.

My husband also will leave and I will be there a few days alone - then I'm pretty sure our son will come over and spend a week or so I think with me and Ireland.  Tips? Suggestions?  We don't have to stay in Ireland - we could go to Northern Ireland, or England, or Scotland.  It's all up in the air as I really don't know specifics.  We will be renting a car - hopefully an automatic - but at this late date will have to accept what ever we can get.

Anyway, if anyone happens to have any ideas, please send them along.  I'm starting to look up quilting links, but I really enjoy museums and walking about.  I've heard about the canal boats - that seems like a fun thing to do, but I think might be better with 4 people...

My email is linked in my profile.