VARIATION STAR BLOCK

Variable Star Quilt Block ( 12.5 inch )

Found another STAR block to use in our guild STAR BLOCK CHALLENGE. I am making a quilt from the MIDNIGHT QUILT SHOW on You Tube.

MIDNIGHT QUILT SHOW .. VARIABLE STAR QUILT

I often make a trial block when I am using a new/ different technique. Since we are making STARS for the guild challenge I decided to make a block using fabric selected for the challenge. If the block turns out okay I plan to donate to the challenge.

 

10 INCH BLOCKS of 2 background fabrics, and two focus fabrics of your choice.

YOU can make your HsqTri patches any way you want, but I used the method shown on YOU TUBE and I give the measurements for that technique.  The measurements can be used so you can figure out how to make the block using your favorite methods. 

NOTATION:  STARCH THE HECK OUT OF YOUR FABRIC … I LIKE MINE AS STIFF AS PAPER … MAKES THE CUTTING EASIER AND KEEPS THE PATCHES NICER THROUGH OUT THE PROJECTS.

Match a focal fabric with a second fabric then with the background patch.  ( See picture.)

Sew around the 10 inch patches with a generous quarter inch. The half square triangles will square up to 3.5 inch units.

I am showing where I will be cutting on the diagonal… ALL I have to say is BEWARE OF THE BIAS !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEW around the block using a generous quarter inch seam.  This is an over sized block and you will be trimming the HsqTri patches to 3. 5 inches.   

I marked the diagonals to show where I will be cutting the sewn patches to make the HsqTRIs.  REMEMBER the outsides of the block is on the BIAS and will distort if handled roughly.

PRESS the triangles open then square to 3.5 inches.

 There will be 3 sets of FOUR half square triangles.  They need to be squared to 3.5 inches.  As I said earlier these patches were over sizes so you have at least a quarter of an inch of fabric to trim off.  

When pressing your triangles BE SURE TO SET THE SEAM then open the triangle.  I pushed the seams to the dark side, but I found that sometimes I had to reverse the seam press in order to get the intersections to lock. 

 It is up to YOU to decide if you want to press your seams to one side or to press open all the seams.  IT IS IMPORTANT WHAT EVER METHOD YOU USE YOU ARE CONSISTENT.    ( Watch out for burned fingers when you press open your seams.)

SQUARE the patch to 3.5 inches

3.5 inches square … I use tape to help me find my sizes … be sure to put the ruler angle on the diagonal of the half sq triangle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Once all your half sq triangles are squared up lay out your block.  I did not mention earlier you will need 4 patches of 3.5 inches of your background fabric for the corners.

Lay out the block and sew the units together in the way that you prefer.

 

I like sewing the pinwheel first then I add the star points on the side.  I sew the top and bottom rows adding the 3.5 inch patches on the ends of the star points.  I press as sew each section together.

 

 

 

I like to sew my center pinwheel together adding the star points next .I sew the top  row together ,  then the bottom row,  I then assemble the rows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 Surprise, surprise my block came out to the correct 12.5 inch block ( 12 inch finished)   I do not think I will have any cut off points. 

SQUARE UP TO 12.5 INCHES watch out for the star points.

12. 5 INCHES … off to the guild challenge it goes!

This block took two hours to make …. because I was taking pictures of the process…. the other blocks I made using this method was a lot faster… but not as fast as ANGELA WALTERS.

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I have been sewing a lot this past couple of weeks.  I did Darla’s, the Scientific Quilter’s March along.  I started sewing 15 minutes a day but that usually stretched into an hour or two so I have made progress on my quilt projects… not my UFOs very much but the quilts I have started assembling since January.   I need to sew binding on my daughter’s quilt then I will have a finish. 
HAPPY QUILTING,
NONNIE

https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/ Nonnie’s Blog
http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dream Podcast
Links for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @NONNIE_P ….. @NONNIE_P
email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com

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Craftsy Class: LEAH DAY …. instructor

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Craftsy Class : LEAH DAY

Free Motion Quilting a Sampler with Leah Day …. April 2013

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Great for beginners. This class goes in depth in how to FMQ and how to get started. This class teaches many of the motifs found on the internet. She discusses how to prepare your fabric, your batting and putting this quilt as you go quilt together. She also discusses trouble shooting problems that a new quilter may have when she FMQ.

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Free Motion Fillers, Vol. 1 with Leah Day

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Free Motion Fillers, Vol. 2 with Leah Day

….. June 2013 ( a birthday gift to myself.)

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These classes reviews many of the motifs on her YOU Tube channel but into depth and with variations for many of the motifs. These classes are great for persons who have done FMQ and want to learn different motifs to get away from just meandering. The motifs can be used on traditional or modern quilts. Once you have learned the motifs they can be applied to as an all over design or block by block. I find the motifs very versatile.

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THE REVIEW:

I recently realized I have talked about various Craftsy classes I have been taking in my podcast, but I have never written about them in my blog. Occasionally I would mention the class I was talking about in show notes but often as not there were no show notes. I always mean to write show notes but life gets in the way and I never get around to it once the podcast is posted. To rectify this I am going to write about the classes I have taken.

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I first ran into LEAH DAY on the internet / YOU tube. I had been trying to learn about FMQ (free motion quilting. ) I put free motion quilting in to the search engine and Leah’s videos popped up. I was mesmerized. I started reading her blog and followed her in the now defunct Google Reader. When she signed up for being an instructor on Craftsy it was a natural class to take. Her classes are very much like her YOU tube channel but goes into greater depth. I had purchased LEAH’s first two DVDs from her web page, but I noticed she has not continued producing DVDs. All in all I found Leah’s classes to be enjoyable. She is a good teacher and went into depth on how to trouble shoot your FMQ if you develop problems. I always find that interesting as I do tend to have problems with my stitches. …. Less often now that I have been working on my FMQ for two years…. But when I started boy did I get myself into trouble.

http://www.leahday.com
http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com

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https://www.leahday.com/shop
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WHOOPS …. I lied she has a DVD I do not own and am getting soon … maybe for Christmas. I tend to buy myself presents cause then I get what I want and dear hubby gets kisses without having to go shopping… HE LOVES IT. Leah has a lot of products that help with FMQ, like the Supreme Slider, pin mores, etc.

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http://www.leahday.com/shop/product/free-motion-quilting-flames-feathers-dvd

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I recommend Leah’s classes, the SAMPLER class for rank beginners who have never done any FMQ before. The FMQ filler classes are more for someone who wishes to learn motifs and FMQ beyond meandering.  I felt these classes was money well spent.  I have reviewed them often. I also follow Leah on her blog and YOU TUBE channel. 

Regardless of what instructor or FMQ classes a person takes they need to realize they have to practice, practice, practice before they get good. If you do not practice and do FMQ consistently your skills will never progress.

 

 

HAPPY QUILTING,
NONNIE

https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/ Nonnie’s Blog
http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dream Podcast
Links for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @NONNIE_P ….. @NONNIE_P
email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com
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…. QUICK LINKS to past reviews ….

Here are a few past reviews of books, classes and magazines….

 

https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/book-review-shape-by-shape-by-angela-walters/

ANGELA WALTERS’ book SHAPE BY SHAPE

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https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/my-birthday-present-to-myself-one-of-many/
Karen McTavish’s books and DVDs
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 https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/general-reviews-of-magazines-sorry-ranting-again/
GENERAL REVIEWS OF MAGAZINES
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https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/vintage-quilt-revival-22-modern-quilts-from-classic-blocks/
VINTAGE QUILTING : 22 QUILTS FROM CLASSIC BLOCKS
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https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/block-party-a-modern-quilting-bee/

MODERN QUILTING BEE

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 https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/straight-line-quilting-fmq-foot-vs-walker-foot/

CRAFTSY CLASS : CREATIVE QUILTING WITH A WALKING FOOT by Jacquie Gering

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https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/04/11/quilting-with-a-modern-slant-by-rachel-may/
QUILTING WITH A MODERN SLANT
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 https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/accentuate-the-negative-my-new-fmq-book/
ACCENTUATE THE NEGATIVE

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https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/book-review-the-modern-applique-workbook-by-jenifer-dick/
MODERN APPLIQUE WORKBOOK BY JENIFER DICK
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 GEE I thought I did a lot more reviews of CRAFTSY CLASSES, DVDs and books then what I have listed here.  I think many of my reviews are in my podcast.   So in the future I will be reviewing more….. especially the Craftsy Classes.

 

I will be adding more quick links to this post as I find them in my blog .. so check back to this post.

 

 

HAPPY QUILTING,
NONNIE

https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/ Nonnie’s Blog
http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dream Podcast
Links for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @NONNIE_P ….. @NONNIE_P
email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com

SECRETS of FREE MOTION QUILTING … The Craftsy Class …

SECRETS of FREE MOTION QUILTING
CRAFTSY CLASS
INSTRUCTOR: CHRISTINA CAMELI

http://www.craftsy.com/classes/quilting/new
http://www.craftsy.com/classes/quilting
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This class is the most recent FREE MOTION QUILTING (FMQ) class offered on CRAFTSY. I am enrolled in 18 of the classes offered. I think the only class I have not signed up for is PATSY THOMPSON’s class because I own every one of her DVDs. I plan to review many of the classes and DVDs in the future as I think they will be helpful to my fellow quilters. ( BTW I will be using the abbreviation FMQ for FREE MOTION QUILTING throughout my blogs… basically I am a lazy typist.)
I enjoyed Ms Cameli’s class. I will say that this class is not for a rank beginner. She does not review how to get ready for FMQ. She does not show you to bring your bobbin thread to the top, or how to get your quilt top ready for quilting. She feels you had learned how to do the basics in the other Craftsy classes. She jumps right into doing her different motifs and doing FMQ on a domestic machine. If you have never done FMQ before then you need to take one of the other beginner classes. I recommend CINDY NEEDHAM DESIGN IT QUILT IT , LEAH DAY SAMPLER , Angela Walters ( she uses a long arm for several of her classes) and ANN PETERSON BEYOND BASIC MACHINE QUILTING. (Patsy Thompson’s and PAULA REID’s DVDs.) These ladies detail getting started and what you need to learn in the beginning of your FMQ adventures. I am sure there are several other instructors that detail basics of FMQ but these ladies are the first instructors I took classes from and I feel I learned the most from them. I will be reviewing their classes in the future.
As for Ms Cameli’s teaching style. I thought she was well organized and well spoken. Instruction was given clearly and was easy to understand. She uses a table with a drawing capability to show how her motifs are designed. She then demonstrates how to sew the design on a domestic machine. I liked the close up of her demonstration. Craftsy camera people seemed to have finally learned to focus on the work being done on the machine, giving the viewer a better visual of the quilting. ( In the past they were frequently far away from the machine and it was difficult to see what was being done. They also did a lot of cut a-ways to the instructor speaking rather then showing work being done. I am glad they have been improving the filming of the shows.)
Ms Cameli’s classes concentrated on showing you how to FMQ a number of motifs and designs. Several of her demonstrations were on larger quilt projects ( throw size or larger.) It was helpful to see how she wrestled with her quilt project especially when she demonstrates several all over motifs/ patterns. I liked how she showed ways of moving from one area of the quilt to another without breaking thread. Ms Cameli’s motifs are modern in style but can be applied to traditional quilts. Some of the motifs were taught in other classes I have taken. She has a different slant style to the FMQ so even though the motifs were similar her application was different. Her quilting motifs is less dense more open then what I have used in other classes. Many of them were suitable for all over quilting. I loved how she applied her motifs in her sampler projects. I was not disappointed with the motifs she demonstrated I thought they were different enough that the class added to my quilting skills. For each motif she show several variations that made the original motif look different.
Each class was 20 to 30 minutes duration. She has group the motifs into similar styles and techniques used to do the FMQ…. Individualized one block motifs, top to bottom FMQ, all over designs. All in all, this was a worth while class which I enjoyed taking and can see I will be able to apply what I learn in the future.
Lessons:

1. Nestled designs
2. Beads on a string
3. Emerging designs
4. Echoing designs
5. Climbing designs
6. Branching designs
7. Follow along designs

 

Ms Cameli is also an author and her first book FIRST STEPS TO FREE MOTION QUILTING lives in my library. She has a second book being released in a couple of months. In the first book she goes thru all the information you need to get started in FMQ. This is pretty much the information she did not cover in this class. She has sketches of a lot of motifs, the actual FMQ of many of these motifs are shown in close ups of projects in the book. She has included several modern projects where you can apply what you have learned. I liked several of her quilt projects especially the QUILT AS YOU GO QUILT where each block has different FMQ. On GOODREADS I would rate this book 3.5 to 4 stars/ 5. I would have liked more coordination of the FMQ sketches/ drawings and the photographs of the motif. There were a lot of photos and illustrations but the sketches were in another part of the book. It took me a while to find the sketch and cross reference it to the projects. I would also have liked to have seen more close ups of the FMQ.
Nonnie

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HAPPY QUILTING,
NONNIE

https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/ Nonnie’s Blog
http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dream Podcast
Links for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @NONNIE_P ….. @NONNIE_P
email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com

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DISCLOSURE : Craftsy Classes and my INTERNET situation.

I am planning to review all of the CRAFTSY CLASSES I have taken so I need to disclose why I have a problem with the Craftsy platform. I also have a large collection of DVDs I will be reviewing them too. I am posting this disclosure as a separate blog post as it colors all of my reviews.
I had spent the last two years concentrating on learning how to (FMQ) FREE MOTION QUILT. I am currently FMQ several quilt tops and it takes me a really long time to get anything done. I am posting the reviews of these classes and DVDs as I feel they will be helpful to others.
Let us be real…. Since I take so long to complete projects if I do not post these reviews there will never be any new blog post …. How boring is that… I enjoy my connection to those that read my blog and listen to my rare podcasts.

DISCLOSURE:

I think I have purchased every FREE MOTION QUILTING CLASS available on Craftsy; if not every class then almost every class, including the long arm quilting classes. I do not even have a long arm. That said, I will tell you up front I do not like the CRAFTSY platform because of my internet situation. I have restricted bandwidth (10 GB per month, but unlimited from MN to 0500) and have restricted access to the classes. I have to pay extra if I exceed my restrictions.  I have to get on the platform only on the weekends after MN. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT. YES, the classes are supposed to be available forever and you can view them whenever but I honestly prefer DVDS. Using Craftsy requires extra expense as you have to pay for internet in order to view it.  As I am of retirement age I do not feel it is fiscally responsible to pay for extra bandwidth.  I have better use for my discretionary spending… ie quilt fabric.
Reasons why:

• I can view on ANY of my TV which is a 32 inch High Def screens. I can view it in my sewing room as I sew along or I can view in my bedroom as I relax. NO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE ONCE you have purchased the DVD. With CRAFTSY and all the on line classes you have to support it by maintaining your internet connection… an added expense. Yes I can use GOOGLE CHROMECAST for Craftsy to broadcast to the TV but once again I am using bandwidth. I also am not a techno wizard and have to wait till my daughter sets it up for me.
• I can fast forward and repeat what-ever I want to see. I have much more freedom in my viewing watching DVDs. DVDs are my entertainment and they are much more portable. I can view them at home, up north or with at my girlfriend. I often put a dvd in the player and let the show lull me to sleep…. Better than some of the garbage that is on TV.
• I can watch the DVDs whenever I want without going on the internet and using my bandwidth. I have paid for the DVD once and do not see how I occur additional cost other than need to have a dvd player. ( I think I am being redundant.)
• The main thing I dislike about CRAFTSY platform is how unstable it is…. maybe it is because of my whimpy internet but I continuously have to reboot my connection or wait for the program to buffer so I can watch the show.  This is always worse in the winter.  If my DVDs play funky … I just clean the disc and run a cleaner disc over the player and I am good to go. 
• Since Craftsy -like platforms have become such big business in the on line craft learning, I have noted there are less and less DVDs available for purchase. Even the independent DVD producers who use to develop a DVD series are no longer producing as many. In the future I will review the DVDs I have purchased so that if you can find them you can decide if you wish to purchase them.

GOOGLE CHROME CAST MEDIA STREAMER
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/google-chromecast-hdmi-streaming-media-player/9071056.p?id=1219013308425&skuId=9071056

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HAPPY QUILTING,
NONNIE

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https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/ Nonnie’s Blog
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http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dream Podcast
Links for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams
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FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @NONNIE_P ….. @NONNIE_P
email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com
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