I just realized it has been about two weeks since I posted about the Star Sampler. The last post was March 10. It is not an abandoned project and I have been working on the blocks. I know the week of March 11 was really busy for me. I had two meetings in the evenings that week and must have gotten off track with writing about the blocks.
The first thing I did last week was redo the Hourglass Star block. The previous version didn’t work. I used that great yellow-green dot for the arms and it was too light. I had two of the centers, so I used the same center and just put a Michael Miller Dumb Dot as the arms.
I think that yellow-green has to be contained on the inside of a block. I think it is too close to the background to work effectively next to it.
If I keep screwing up blocks. I’ll have a second quilt on the back!
I included some of the yellow-green in the Checkerboard Star and you can see how well it does enclosed by other fabrics. I have to keep that in mind as I move forward on the rest of the blocks.
I saw TFQ’s version of this star on Flickr and noticed that she lined up the fabrics she used for the arms so they were the same.
I like the Plaid star. I like the look of the piecing. I am not 100% on board with the fabrics I chose, but I don’t dislike them enough to re do the block right at this moment. Also, I chose the colors to go with the Bard of Avon block. I didn’t want the Bard of Avon to be sitting out there with these fabrics alone.
I do love that turquoise I used for the arms, though. It is hand-dyed or some kind of special surface design by Stitch ‘n Dye fabrics. It is a very special fabric, but I thought I might as well use it. I am pleased with how it looks with the other fabrics.
Someone pointed out on Twitter that the Austin Star block looks really different from the others. The squares in the corner are quite prominent. They enhance the X effect of the block. I haven’t decided if this rendition of this block will make the cut for the final quilt. It is a little on the dark side. I know there is another block similar in layout that might make this work.
I am playing with lavender/purples since I ran out of that perfect lavender with white dots by Lakehouse. This one is pretty good since there are a number of different dots made up of different colors.
I am really enjoying working on this project with someone else. Seeing the placement of fabric and fabric choices some one else makes is so interesting. It also inspires me to think a little differently.
Thank you for sharing the thought process involved. I enjoy seeing the blocks on twitter/flickr but this gives a much better perspective!
I love quiltmaking and part of what I love is that it is an intellectual exercise. How many turquoises do I have? Have I used them each enough times? Is there too much of this green? It is part of what makes it fun for me. And frustrating, too, on occasion. 😉
I sometimes have to walk away and chew on an idea for a while, then rush back before I change my mind!
Yes, I have that congitating/considering time as well. Sometimes I need to let something roll around in the back of my mind and then I get the answer and can move forward.
They all look lovely, Jaye! I do agree with you on the hourglass star, the second version is a lot more effective. The rest of them look beautiful as usual! 🙂 Thank you for sharing, I love looking at your star progress.
Thank you so much for reading, Kati and for your kind words! I am really liking these stars. As a group, they have the feel of calm I have been seeking.
They certainly do! I think it’s the calming blues.
😉