I finished sewing the blocks together for Scattered Stars, my cheddar and indigo quilt, this evening. Take a look:
Light from the window on the right side of the room isn’t spreading evenly across the surface and the bottom part of the quilt top is puddling on the floor but I think you can get a good idea of what this quilt is going to look like.
With three sizes of blocks (six, 12 and 18 inches) scattered across the quilt, I figured there’d be plenty of partial seams. They’re not especially difficult but I wanted to plan for them so I didn’t sew an entire seam and then have to rip out part of it. The plan was to sew the blocks into smaller sections that could then be joined together.
I started by printing a photo of my layout and marking the sections with a Sharpie:
After studying the diagram I realized there are only two partial seams in the entire quilt. What a pleasant surprise! (One of the places is in the lower right side of the quilt around “that singleton block” — the one with the 3″ Churn Dash in it. Can you spot the other?)
I sewed the six-inch blocks together first — six pairs and two trios — and then the 12-inch blocks — three pairs and one trio. The star points meet in these blocks and I knew I’d have to pin the intersections — all 28 of them — carefully. When those were done to my satisfaction (yes, there were a few that had to be redone) I started creating the sections.
That’s when I realized there are several other places where star points meet — stars of different sizes. That surprise wasn’t quite as welcome. Turns out there were 17 of those, all needing to be carefully pinned. I’ve circled them in the next photo:
I admit a few of those had to be redone as well.
It took the better part of three days to get these blocks together. Coco was a frequent visitor in my sewing room during this time. Here she is staring at me intently, willing me to stop what I’m doing and fix her dinner:
The top measures 66½” x 90½” which is just about right for a twin size quilt so I’ve decided not to add borders. I’m thinking about finishing it with ½”-wide binding.
Next up: a pieced backing using a couple of 18″ blocks that didn’t make the cut for the front.
What a stunning quilt! You do such beautiful work.
Your quilt turned out beautiful, and the navy/cheddar combination is stunning!
You are brilliant to take photo and make sewing plan for partial seams. If you go with a 1/2” binding will the points all still pop? Would a facing be an option? I have never done a facing but this top is so stunning as it is, it would be hard for me to visualize adding a binding. Brilliant quilter just brilliant!
Fear not, Vickie! I staystitched around the outer edges and all of the star points are beyond the quarter-inch seam allowance. That said, facing the quilt is a very interesting idea. I’ve never tried it either but I think I would try it first with something smaller!
What? Take a sip or a small bite first? You are so wise.
Lovely! It’s always instructive to see your process, too. Thanks!
Your quilt is beautiful! Bravo!
The challenges faced with this quilt design, every one of which you brilliantly overcame, are just too daunting for me to comprehend. Lucky for me, I can jump right from your first layout to the finished product without feeling the need to understand ANY of the mystifying steps in between. What a gift!
The quilt almost coordinates with Coco’s coloring. I’m sure she approves.
I noticed that too, Jeanne Ann! Her golden eyes look cheddar in that photo, don’t they?!
Did you use partial seams? Looks good.
I see the quilt inspector in inspecting….did she give it a paws up?
Only two partial seams, Char! Can you believe it?