Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Lookin' a Little (Star) Fishy

Remember playing along with the TV show Concentration? (1958-1991, according to Wikipedia.) It was a game show where contestants matched pictures that eventually revealed a picture puzzle. This is my super easy version, with no puzzle behind the squares! Do you see how these "Swirling Star" blocks look like star fish? Okay, not quite exactly, but very similar.




Since my last post, these are the shapes I've been hand piecing. To make each one, I begin stitching at the outside of two pieces, moving toward the center. When I've stitched the two pieces together, I pick up another shape and stitch back toward the outside edge to complete joining three sections together. This makes one half of a block. I repeat the steps to make the other half of the block. Then I piece together the two halves starting at one outside edge, stitching across the center, and ending at the opposite outside edge. It takes me about 35 minutes to piece one star block.

I now have 36 of these.

I have been a little uncertain about what fabric - color and print - to use as "connectors" between each star. I cut out only a few connectors using a white, tone-on-tone print. Here they are, laid out for my first assessment of what this quilt top will look like. 

None of the connectors are yet pieced to the stars, so the lay-out isn't precise, but I think I like it. While arranging stars, I decided I need another blue print, and maybe another aqua. That means I won't be hand-connecting anything until I make all the stars I need, but at least I know where I'm headed.
... down a star-fishy path. Do you agree that I need to come up with a name that has "Starfish" in it?

15 comments:

  1. I agree with the "starfishy" name. I like the white connectors too. This will be a beautiful quilt!

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  2. Those are too cool. They're making me even more excited to visit Florida soon.

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  3. They are sooo cute! I'm not too good at naming quilts but it could be "Starfish for Patty" LOL

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  4. Oh, those are really neat blocks! What about using a light gray instead of the white (or even a dark gray)? I think it would really make those stars pop - I think the white is competing a bit too much. :)

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  5. I love the white connectors. It looks so fresh and I also like the name Starfish for this quilt!

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  6. Oh my goodness, Linda... I have never seen anything like this. Your blocks are absolutely gorgeous! I just swooned...

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  7. Just gorgeous Linda. I love your blocks. Yes i agree with "starfish". Would love to have a go at making these. Hugs,

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  8. They definitely do look like starfish. They also remind me of the little pinwheels on a stick that would turn in the wind. We would get these when we went to fairs and carnivals as children. Great pattern Linda.

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  9. Wow...they really do look like starfish! It's a really beautiful quilt...look forward to the finish!

    Pam

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  10. oooo that's so pretty! I am once again awed by your hand piecing bravery! :)

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  11. Your blocks are so fun and different. I like the white but as Michelle suggested, it might be fun to experiment with some grey....beachy or stormy sea!!!

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  12. Wow, you're my new hand piecing hero, I love the blocks.

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  13. Good going Linda, that's a great handpiecing project. well done on the cute little starfishy shapes.

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  14. Oh, Linda, I just love this quilt so far. What fun fabrics. Yes, starfish in the name for sure.

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  15. Patience is your virtue, Linda! There is such a lot of work in this quilt - and it's looking beautiful! :-)
    Hugs
    Jenny

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