Star Placemats

I have been trying to keep my studio tidy and have been moving around these star blocks I made with the Delightful Stars QAL.  There were 9 - 12 inch star blocks so no problem coming up with 8 placemats.

Pretty pleasing.

Delightful Stars QAL

Still sailing along on the Delightful wave of Stars.  I have been following along for quite a while and I have a lovely pile of stars waiting...  This pattern comes from the Quilting Gallery and it's all about precision.  I am very pleased with my efforts.

Another day another block...

If you visit the site you will see that the blocks are shown on dark even black backgrounds.  I had to change that of course.  I am pleased with my results.

New Delightful Stars Blocks

Here are the new blocks from the QAL over at Mishkas Playground.

I know, great, huh?

Delightful Star Quilt Along progress

I am a bit behind on this one but I am really enjoying the block making.  I feel that I am really getting a bit better at accuracy....

This one is the latest and maybe my favourite so far....

And here is my design wall with them randomly laid out...

The pattern is available at the Quilting Gallery here.

Flying Geese Help

I love the look of flying geese but I almost always have trouble keeping them square.  So while I was trying for accuracy in the Delightful Star Quilt Along I discovered an easy system for getting some good results.

First I cut the triangles out as the chart suggested.
Then I sewed the first side triangle to the centre goose.

Then I got out a right triangle ruler and lined it up so the angled seam ran down a series of crossroads ...

Next I trimmed the narrow strip that was exposed so now the goose is square again. Then I sewed on the other side triangle...

Voila, perfect...

It seems pretty simple but the result was amazing...

I love it when it all comes together. This block is for the Delightful Star Quilt a long

Delightful Star Blocks QAL

Don't they look nice?  My points are great, if I do say so and pressing the seams open makes the blocks really flat.

Here's last week's block:

And now together...

Delightful Stars Quilt-Along Lesson 2 (Block 24)

Ta da!!

I am so happy with these tutorials and the pattern.  Note the nice points and matching.

Delightful Stars Quilt-a-long

I couldn't resist this quilt-a-long with Michelle Foster over at the Quilting Gallery.  The quilt is called Delightful Stars and I got started a couple of weeks ago reading up on her suggestions and video links of ways to improve my accuracy and techniques.

Here's the first block.  I am very pleased.  Although I understand the principles and usually have no troubles with my piecing, Michelle encourages me to be more.  Accurate and precise, that is. This block is amazing if I do say so myself.  Maybe the use of spray starch (Mary Ellen's ) was the key.

I will also point out that as with all my piecing, I press my seams open.  Look at how flat the centre of the pinwheel.  I agree that there are times when pressed to the side is better but I rarely do it.  Here's an article by Marby Benson that says it all.