Every once in a while a project comes along that just about takes all you've got. This one was that for me.
At my first meeting with the
Seattle Modern Quilt Guild in March, I heard about a star quilt challenge - something that had been in the planning for several months. The deadline was
today. Ie. I was way behind from the get go. What seemed even remotely possible when I finally got around to starting was to take the
Lucky Star blocks I had made so far (each 6 1/2") and pull them together into a small quilt.
I call it "Auspicious Sky", honoring those Lucky Stars that gave me inspiration in the first place. I surrounded them with a sky of Kaffe Fassett shot cotton accented with bits of Robert Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Denim and Kona Nightfall. Quilting was somewhat randomly spaced straight-line using several different blues, from midnight to royal.
Backing is Kaffe's Shirt Stripes in brown which I just happened to have in my stash, and seemed
apropos. And for binding, I used more of the Essex.
Finishing at an odd 38x68" (I used every inch of the shot cotton I had), this is one of those where I'm glad I made it but I'm more than glad it's done. The vision is my mind's eye to start is not quite what I ended up with, though close. I found the improv piecing a challenge, the shot cotton somewhat unstable in such a large quantity, and my original quilting plan just didn't pan out.
So that's a perfect explanation for why this quilting thing we do can justifiably be called a journey. There's stops and starts, hills and valleys, detours and unexpected turns. But in the end, it's a trip worth having taken. Time to plan the next.
This finish was on my FAL Q2 list for 2013. Linking with Fabric Tuesday.
I love your quilt, because it´s different and shows the stars on your sky so beautiful. The quilting is perfect, too!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have done an incredible job of making this quilt! As with life, no one ever said it would be plain sailing! Just think what you have learnt! I love it!
ReplyDeleteEven if it is not what you originally planned you have made a lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning...I would say it was a very successful journey! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving blue at the moment and this hits the spot - great finish.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful, stunning quilt!
ReplyDeleteI think it is beautiful. I love your color/fabric choices. Great job.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very pretty quilt, and I truly appreciate how much time you must have spent quilting it. I've never sewn with those shot cottons, but they look fun to work with. Your comment about "the journey" is apropos. I've recently hit a dead end and am trying to find a different route. Hacking down the bushes to blaze a new trail is proving challenging!
ReplyDeleteThis is just lovely; and interesting, too! So different from anything I've seen recently! It's really a perfect use of your star blocks. And the background blues are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love how random your quilt is, but it is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteEven if it wasn´t planed that way it turned out beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job Debbie with the improv. The stars sparkle on the blue. It's a perfect size for a bed runner : )
ReplyDeleteI do like how it turned out but totally understand what you mean about the process to get there. Love the combo of blues in the background, and the quilting. Both really allow the blocks to pop!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is awesome! What a journey for you, but I think it was a project well worth it.
ReplyDeleteits cool ! I love improve quilting and all the fabrics you used I have stashed for a fun project like this, I even have the stars too..
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful....so unique.
ReplyDeleteSuper cool, very unique! Is the star block along still going, or was this all of them?
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Debbie. It's true -- sometimes it's the process that matters most.
ReplyDeleteOh wow Debbie, it is quite stunning and would look beautiful hanging on a wall, long like that. Beautiful job and I think the quilt name is a perfect one! Congrats getting it done on time!
ReplyDeleteI think it turned out great! Those lucky stars really pop. Are you going to continue making lucky stars blocks?
ReplyDeleteIt's really stunning, Deb! I love those different bits of background fabric you included.
ReplyDeleteYay it looks great, and inspired use of the stars
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was a journey but you ended up in a good place. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI know when I say to myself that I'm glad I made it but glad it's over there's usually a bit of exploration and thinking outside of the box that's gone on. Good for you - I think it's beautiful and encompasses a lot of thought.
ReplyDeleteSuch a stunning quilt! Really love how those stars shine against the beautiful shot cotton.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Debbie! I think this is just beautiful, the fabrics, the quilting, everything.
ReplyDeleteI love it, each part, the stars, the background, the quilting and even the back. Good for you for sticking with it too.
ReplyDeleteAre you crazy? You don't sound like you like this one too much... I love it! I think it's fantastic! I love the improv piecing! Hope the meeting was fun tonight. Sorry I missed it!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt, Debbie and I like your description of the process. Your comments about the shot cottons were the second ones I heard this week...makes me think that maybe I don't need to sew with them! Do you mind sharing where you got your little ribbon label on the binding?
ReplyDeleteIt turned out really interesting! The quilting turned out great, very complimentary to the quilt.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for stepping out of your comfort zone. It looks great and the quilting adds a special touch. :)
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