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?

Prepping for Hand Piecing

There's no Accuquilt Go cutter in my sewing studio. For me, rotary cutting involves rulers for cutting straight edges, or acrylic templates for cutting shapes. Recently, I used a single "Swirling Star" acrylic template to manually cut curved shapes, and I enjoyed it. I especially appreciate the spring-y colors in this pile of scraps. Pretty!

To cut these shapes, I first rotary cut 4-5/8" wide strips that the template would fit onto. Thankfully I tested my plan to cut the templates from a folded (wrong sides together) piece of fabric. Oops! I discovered half of the cut pieces were swirling the wrong way, and had to be discarded - well, set aside for something else. I cut the shapes from two 4-5/8" strips stacked, right sides up.

I marked the acrylic template with the word "up" to remind myself which way to lay it on the fabric so all the swirls would point the same direction. Did you notice the rotary cutter? I found that a smaller 28 mm cutter followed the curves better than my usually-used 45 mm cutter.

Personally, I don't care to mark the 1/4" seam line slots in acrylic templates. When hand piecing, I prefer to sew with a 3/16" seam. To do that I make my own plastic template that's 3/16" smaller, on all sides, than the acrylic template. Then, on the back of the fabric shape, I trace the plastic template to mark the stitching line. It takes three different fabric markers to mark the fabric, depending on the fabric color: a mechanical pencil, or a Sewline Fabric Pencil, or a Clover White Ink Marker.

Also, to hold the fabric piece firmly while I'm drawing the line, I have fine-grit sandpaper under it. It's something like 000. 

For piecing I use Mettler 60/2 thread - white, for this entire project - and a size #9 straw needle. Then, wearing my homemade bottle cap ring pin cushion on the middle finger of my left hand (you can see a peep of it on the far left) and in it, a half-dozen applique pins for pinning the seam lines, I'm set to hand piece. Here goes. 

In my next blog post I'll show you pictures of what I'm making.

Drunkard's Path Templates

Don't you think it's fun to enter a giveaway? Well, thanks to Baycreek Quilting in Oregon, I’m sharing the fun by hosting a giveaway now through Sunday, February 13. Two winners will be selected!

Baycreek Quilting specializes in making sturdy, 1/8" thick, laser-cut acrylic templates. Baycreek's rotary cutting templates are available in a variety of shapes - angles, curves, one-patch shapes, applique designs and quilting designs.

If you're a quilter who has been struck by hexie madness take a look as these hexagon options.

Don't miss a look at Joseph's Coat templates either!

Drunkard's Path

Two people will be randomly selected to win a set of Drunkard's Path acrylic templates. That's two pieces each, of 3", 4", 5" and 6" templates! A $30 value!

This is an international giveaway! Everyone has a chance to win.

For one entry: Comment. That's it. Say whatever's on your mind, or answer one or both of these questions: "What template or single patch shape would you like to have? Do you prefer machine-piecing or hand-piecing, or is there a place for both in your life?"

You might already know I'm a fan of hand-piecing. It's so portable and relaxing! See my projects here.

For another entry: Post about this giveaway on your own blog. Then come back here and comment to let me know you've done that.

As a bonus, bonus, bonus...

Between now and Sunday, February 13, if you place an order from Baycreek Quilting, you will receive free shipping, and that means anywhere in the world. How wonderful is that?!

To receive free shipping, just type "Flourishing Palms" in the comments section of your on-line order, or mention "Flourishing Palms" if you phone-in (US only) your order: 541-888-2838.

Could it be you who'll win a set of Drunkard's Path templates to cut and piece a pretty block like this?

Note: I'll have to draw another winner if your comments appear as noreply-comment@blogger.com. It means I have no way to email you to tell you you've won. To check your settings, follow this path: Dashboard; Edit Profile; "Show my email address;" Save Profile.