Bags are packed & Stars are shining

Bags are packed!!

These will probably get to texas b4 me.. Yea!!

 

Mike called and will be picking these bags up tomorrow. Monday.  He plans on driving down by the end of this week.. So glad to have such a good friend who is willing to help get me down to Texas for the winter.   I don’t even want to think what it would cost to fly these down.. Last time I checked it was $85 each, plus extra for pounds over 50.   It’d be cheaper just to get there and buy what I need.

Quilting progress to date– LeMoyne Stars

 

Squaring up the starburst with LeMoyne Stars..this is just 1/4 of the quilt top

 

I’m really liking the way the Black & White theme is going.  I wasn’t sure, but now that it is laid out I can actually “see” the finished top.   One more little touch I need to add is a border around the LeMoyne Stars… A border to help visually separate and give the eye a place to rest. 

Yes, a thin black border meets my needs/wants/likes !

I may get this top done yet…in time to take it along for the final quilting process.  I am gonna try..if not then I’ll take the pieces and finish after I get there..  It is small enough to get it in a bag for the flight down!   About 3 more weeks and I’ll be flyin into the sunshine.

Square a Starburst

The traditional way to square a starburst pattern is with MORE STARs..  The LeMoyne Star pattern works great as well as  fits  perfectly when you match it with your Starburst.

 

a full LeMoyne Star Block

 

The triangle shaped LeMoyne

Star-The center triangles are 3 inches.. and because I can NOT match and get this pattern to “lay flat/straight”  I don’t do the traditional sewing of seams together.   I mean who says you have to follow exact directions..and FAIL.???

BACK or SEAM SIDE-the one on the right is where I followed "exact" directions..

Work  the front or top side when piecing your LaMoyne Star pattern. 

I press 1/4 inch  of each edge before sewing.. slide ”the white”  under the star,matching the creases:  then sew close to the “black” edge of the star.  This way the points are perfect and my piece lays flat.

 

close up of MY WAY to make a perfect LeMoyne STAR

Start in the corners (square pieces).. then sew in your triangles.  This will make the back look neater and easier to work with when placing it in your Starburst.. The final block should measure 12 1/2 x 12 1/2.. if it doesn’t then add a border around it!!   Your border here could be any color or pattern.   I will use white, since I want the focal point to remain on the STARBURST.   

When finished the top stitching will look great and just become a part of YOUR  quilting.  I will be layering and doing the final quilting on this one during the winter months.  Batting and backing layer still need to be purchased.

My Idea for the reverse or back of this Quilt:

Since this is a small quilt (wall hanging size) I plan on doing  the LeMoyne Star on the back  *one for each corner in white and a black background for the whole back.*.

But you could add color for your back.. Just get CREATIVE when you decide how to finish the back!!   ?? maybe a smaller Starburst pattern??

for those corners..   **this is another reason to study math**

Or just skip on to finding a material that has CHICKENS in it so that it would match one of my front fabrics.  

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!     

 Don’t be put off by all the angles and problems I found when doing this Quilt Pattern..   It is doable project for any level of quilter.   I only consider myself to be a tad above beginner..but Learn as I try new things…. And share how I solve the problems I have.

Just remember to PRESS often.. And don’t be afraid to “top stitch”  those tricky LeMoyne Stars!!  

Hold on

Everything around me came to a Halt!!  Darn flu bug came to visit.  I don’t get sick too often and generally only gets me down for a day or 2, but this time it’s been almost a week.   Headache, fever, chills, coughing, sneezing, all over aches and no appetite MONSTER stuck around for a bit longer.   But I finally got the upper hand and booted it out the door!!  

Back in the 60’s I had the worst round of Asian flu- thought I was gonna meet up with my Ancestors, but after a month long battle my health began to get better.  The results of this battle was that I got one heck of an immune system- I just don’t get as sick as one would expect.  And it only lasts for a couple days.   I seldom have to go to bed or get too weak to make it thru the day.    But as I age, the body doesn’t re cop like it once did!!

So enough  of being on  Hold, I’m up and at it again!!  Got a couple of bags packed and ready to be sent off with Mike to Texas.. He should be leaving a week or 2 ahead of me- He is driving down.  I am flying!!

And there is a charity kit to finish up for Digital Scrapbooking.   Doing the quality checks and sending it off to Angie.   Will let ya know where to purchase it (the entire kit) as soon as it hits the stores. 

My part of the WinterWonderland Charity Kit 4 Beth

Now I need to get caught up on some house cleaning, winterizing, bring in the battery from my Bike so it doesn’t freeze up, and sort thru this Starburst topper and get it squared up before leaving.

GRANNY

Meeting properly

OK, my OPPs on my StarBurst Project turned into a great visual way to show you how to get those many seams to line up and Meet Properly.  When I ripped apart the seams that were wrong, It fell just right to show you a way to meet properly .   Start in the middle and work your way towards both ends of your strip.

  First I matched the raw edges of the diagonal cut strips. This one I have sewn already.

 

I roll back the top layer til those sewn edges meet top & bottom.

 

see how the black meets the white ??

a bit blurry, but another example of pinning- be sure to start at the center point and work towards each end with this process.Now that all POINTS have been introduced Properly, You can sew your strips together. The points should look great together once this is pressed with steam iron

This works with squares, or any seam where you want to match up different fabrics at points of meeting.

Are you inspired enough to give this pattern a TRY??

 Make just one Starburst and see how great a seamstress/quilter you can be.

Now back to filling in the edges to make a square!!  More steps, more visual aids.   The directions and HOW TOs are in the file at

allpeoplequilt.com/patterns/starburst

GRANNY

Pulling thread

I swear, under my breathe, of course.. another darn mistake and this is almost 1/2 done.  Good thing I keep checking.   But I am getting tired of ripping out and re-doing!   OK, Gram, I’m sorry for not paying attention when you wanted to show me the “tricks”.    Or maybe just too many years have gone by since we spent time in your sewing room.  (about 40 plus of them) 

got this far and noticed something was wrong!! Can you SEE IT?

This is the first point of the star that I put together...a couple of times , now I have to rip out and re-do AGAIN

The small triangle ’s aren’t matching up perfectly, either…but that is Hand Made Beauty of Quilting.. It is YOUR project and you can fuss with it as much as you want.. It “carries” your personal touch.

Lets begin!!

Since we have so many points and diagonals,  I did NOT wash my fabric first.. Instructions say to wash then “spray with starch & iron” to help the fabric hold it’s shape.   Well, shoot, what is better than the sizing that the fabric has already??   As long as none of the other fabric has been washed, then it should all do it’s shrinking the same when it is washed.. RIGHT.. ?? 

Cut your raw fabric in 3 inch strips..then noting the placement of each strip.. sew your strips together. PLACEMENT-follow the chicken fabric and the white with black swirls in it.

I always start with 3 inch strips, even tho the instructions stated “2 1/4″ inch strips.  I am only making ONE STARBURST, so I went with the 3 inch.     Make sure you put 4 patterns together in a specific order -

 This is important in order to get the fabrics to touch each other as you look around (circle) the starburst.  *don’t feel bad if you don’t  understand at this point, I didn’t “get” it either til I started sewing and matching.*

On my cutting mat, I have a 45 degree line..and started with laying my fabric on it..lining up the top and bottom of the 4 strip patterns on the horizontal lines.

 I trimed off the raw edge with a 45 degree angle, then cut 3 inch strips.  Stack these all the same direction .  You  need 8  cuts to make one STARBURST.

 

I have cut all 4 of the pattern strips and laid them out in the pattern/colors I want my Starburst to look like.

I want a WHITE center..so I start with that pattern strip, then off set the next strip by one..(see this is why you have 4 different pattern strips).  You can start the center with any one of the 4 colors/fabrics.. just remember to stack and sew as I have demonstrated in the above photo with your “center” as the far left, then match the second color in that strip -you’ll get the hang of it once it is laid out in front of you.

REMEMBER NOT TO TURN OR GET THESE OUT OF LINE..OTHERWISE you TOO WILL HAVE AN OPPS!! 

It is real easy to turn and sew together wrong, so don’t get discouraged.. Matching those triangle points  is another headache for you, but maybe I can figure a way to show you how to get them to “like each other”  before I finish this darn pattern!! 

Until I do, work on getting a starburst idea.. color it in YOUR favorite Fabric.   (it takes 4 different fabrics of 1/2 yard each to make this beauty)  If you want a larger size for a bed, be sure to go to Allpeoplequilt.com to print out the pattern and instructions..

GRANNY

My Next project

I call this pattern Starburst..from All People Quilt.com

Now you know where I pick up all these Quilt Patterns.. It’s no secret if you have ever browsed the net for quilts.   But if you are new.. it’s a great place to find free patterns and how to’s!!

I’ve always wanted to do this pattern since it was a favorite of MY Granny.. I remember seeing one of these Quilts on her bed when I last visited her.  She loved reds and whites, with a touch of Blue.  But most of her quilts were from old cotton dresses of the 50’s.  Not new fabric!!

 She never let out to many of her quilting secrets of  how she got all those “points” to met properly, so I am having to sew, rip out and redo frequently.   But I am getting there…   My camera battery died on me when I started to take pics.  So it is charging and I am taking a break from the sewing room.

Had a phone call from Mike and we are going to head out this afternoon to see all the trees that are changing color in our area.   It’s just a drive around in the convertible, talk, eat and TAKE PHOTOS..   The REAL Spoon River Drive doesn’t officially open til the week end, but we are getting a head start.   This way we miss all the commercialism and stands that clutter up the scenery. 

Ugh!! Now I am regretting the staying up late, reading and crocheying I did last night.  But I was at an exciting part of the “talking” book and just couldn’t shut it off, KWIM?   

better hush up now and get some messes cleaned up around here, including MYSELF..  

GRANNY

Pinwheel-step 3

Ready for the next phase?  

Your first Pinwheel. It will take 4 of these to make a 12x12 finished square

 

Remember- MATCH THESE POINTS AND ANCHOR with straight pins.

Note: the seam side has those little points cut off.  Don’t worry about the other side at this point.  We will be trimming those in the next step. 

I trimmed each pinwheel at this point with a wonderful 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch plastic square with an OPEN CENTER.

 

Here are 4 of your Pinwheels.. match all the POINTS and ANCHOR

Before sewing..carefully match and pin every Point.  Starting with the center. 

I hope you can see I anchor both sides/ seam side and raw side, making sure the points meet to prevent slippage.

 

Here is the final swap Block!! Now make one for everyone in your group, or do about 14 more of these for your own personal QUILT..

Just some information about how much fabric this Block took.  I cut my fabric from 42 inch wide fabric.  I bought  1/2 yard of each.  And will get approx  3 strips from each  that are 6 inches wide: equals 3 large blocks.   It took a full strip of both colors to get one block.  Enough for 3 people in your swap..  (fabric cost:  $4.25 a yard)  

Hope you enjoyed the steps and feel ready to try a Block Swap next time you see one.     

Granny Judy 

Quilt pattern – Pinwheel

placing the sewn together triangles. Step 2 of sewing pinwheels. I'm setting up the assembly line sewing.

Step two-Pinwheels

Watch those POINTs and get your triangles going in the right directions.  The bottom line up works for the final piecing together.. so stack them all that direction.

Pin the pieces together…  see pictures.

Make sure these 2 ends meet and anchor with a straight pin.

What to watch for and correct at this stage

Stacking properly will save you time and make things go really smoothly when you are ready to sew.   If you make a mistake at this point and don’t find it–well you have to rip out and start over.  So do  two Blocks and check your self.   If  you got it right..then finish all the other squares.    

stacked & ready for sewing

 

take your time and feed the pieces into your machine.  Don’t let the points worry you or distract you from sewing a 1/4 inch seam .

To Check yourself..

Take two squares that you have sewn together at this stage.  Separate & Open them up.. right side up.  If you  turn one 180 degrees , place it  at the top of the other and you get a pinwheel..  WALLA, you can continue.

 

That’s enough to absorb and work on for today… Esp if you are a beginner.   I do have the block finished with photos to show you the rest of the steps…   But the program here only takes so many photos before it stops and shuts down on me.   I was pushing it today.  LOL

Til later-  GRANNY

Swap News=quilting

I got a request to link to my digi blog-I give out freebies every so often.. from a new and up-coming ALL CRAFT place. If I remember correctly they have Scrapbooking (paper-hybrid-digital) beading, embroidery, crochey, needle-point AND Quilting.    After joining and posting in the quilting forum..I think I got volunteered to host a swap if anyone is interested. “”Beginner Level”"

 If you are interested in joining a swap..please register and post in the Quilting thread/forum at: Crafty-Cuboard

(just click on the words crafty-cuboard to find it)

““““““““““““““““`

Now back to getting stuff done around the house. I may have company coming and don’t wanna be caught with my PJ’s on. Crock pot is doing the supper tonight, so I can get some “block” work done.

Granny

back to Quilting

I had a couple hours of feeling pretty decent today.   And the fabric was yelling at me to come “cut me up”.  

The Pinwheel has always facinated me, but I never got into doing one because “applique” kept wanting to be center stage.   DD#1 has that top.  I think it still needs to be quilted.. (laughing inside)

Pinwheels are very simple triangles.. just gotta watch how you sew them together to get the right center with opposite colors.   I start with a 5 inch square in 2 contrasting colors.   (since we are swapping Black & White squares, that is what I’ll show you)

the tools and fabrics

There is a cutting mat under the fabric..my long clear plastic cutting ruler to help keep size and square  cutting.   I love the rotary cutter-just keep a sharp blade in it.. Zip, Zip.. blocks of 5×5.

sliced and setting up the machine sewing

OK, I cut the squares into triangles.  Just remember to sew the Longest side..and keep your stack of material all with white side up..and facing the same way.  I just keep feeding them thru the machine til I have them all done. 

You can see the ONE finished pinwheel I did..had to rip out and redo till I got all those points to meet in the center and the  opposite colors just right.   But I am well on the way to getting a 12×12 block ready for the swap..  I may have to add a border around the outside edge if the block isn’t the right size.. Unfinished it should measure 12 1/2 by 12 1/2..allowing for sewing a seam when you put all the blocks together for a quilt.

Once I have this Pinwheel block done,  It’s off to try the Lone Star..

More triangles with those pesky pointy meeting places.. So far I’ve been lucky getting them all to meet properly.  

feeding the triangles thru the machine

Be back next week with some more quilting shots.   Or if I get this  done early , I’ll be back sooner. 

Hugs.. GRANNY