Under the Starry Sky

Last Saturday Susan and I went to NYC to the Empire Quilt Show.  Here is what I bought:

Here is what I won (lucky me)!

Here is what I saw (my favorite at the show):

Congratulations Betsy, great modern twist on a traditional pattern!

Before going back to CT, we had a cocktail under the Starry Sky at Grand Central Station.

I've had a couple of inquiries about how I'm making my 4 inch Stars for the Stars in a Time Warp sew along. 

Judy sent me a smilebox video of how she makes her flying geese units for her stars.  You can see it by clicking here.

Angie did a great post on her method with a link to a flying geese tutorial.

I've decided to make little 4 inch stars.  I am making only 1 a week, so I'm doing it this way.   It is only taking me about 15 minutes a week (after I pick fabrics).

From the background I cut 4 pieces 1-1/2" x  2-1/2" and 4 squares 1-1/2".

For the stars I cut:  8 1-1/2" squares and 1 2-1/2" square.

I'm "eye balling" the short seam from corner to corner.  Of course you can mark it with a pencil.  If it varies a little on my stars all the better for me.

After pressing I can see if I'm a little off.  I trim that away.  Then I trim the back two layers (sorry forgot to photo).

Then I stitch the block together.

Here you can see where I've cut away the extra layers and how I press it.

I like using a hot DRY iron and starch.  The starch really helps keep these little blocks straight.   I also use the pressing stick.   You can see how to use it here.

I press the last 2 seams open to keep the block nice and flat.

and there you have it!

And here are my little stars so far.

Speaking of stars I'm listen to this book, Under the Wide and Starry Sky.  It is the story of Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife.  I recommend it highly.

Well that's all the time have for stars today - See you next time!

Quilts and Krispee Treats, oh my

by: Barb

Hello! This is a busy post, as there was a lot to do this past long weekend.

Saturday, Gwyned Trefethen was the guest at the Empire Quilters. She talked about her series of quilts and various design elements in quilting. Here are a couple of photos of her work:



And this is a fun little Witchy quilt that the woman next to me was working on (darn, didn't write her name down). Members who attended the October round table we "treated" to a kit to make this quilt.


Member show and tell:
This is a "mile a minute" quilt




There was more, but my photos were sub-par for publication.

Here are the Block of the Month fashion label blocks, that I didn't win :(



Hanna and I made Krispee Treats. Traditional, and Fruity Pebble, which were sweet and good! For some reason, fall always seems the right time to make these.


On Tuesday, Hanna and I headed in to the city for a little shopping and see the Quilt Exhibit at the Williams Club, which was a beautiful East Side Brownstone. It is a private Alumni Club and a full of interesting architectural details.









It was interesting to view these quilts in all the different halls, parlors and meeting rooms at this club.

This weekend, I'm hoping to spend a little more time sewing.

Weekend Update

by: Barb

What a busy and fun weekend.

Saturday was rainy, so I just did a quick walk through of the the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. Maybe I'll have better luck next month.


It was my first meeting as a new member of the Empire Quilters, who meet in NYC. They are an active and vibrant group of women and I look forward to getting to know them better. Here is the result of their Block of the Month - what a turn out of blocks!



The speaker was, David Taylor, an incredibly talented art quilter from Steamboat Springs.

His precise process is hand applique', previewing each piece on the design wall, and then heavy machine quilting (thread paint style) with variegated thread. David changes thread color every 5 to 10 mins and buries all the knots on the back. His quilts are almost reversible, as you'll see with the Calf quilt.








The Chicadee quilt has 500 indivdually selected and appliqued pine needles. Amazing.


Sunday, we took a drive to Mystic Seaport Museum in Conn. It's a wonderful 19 Century Whaling Village Museum.

Isn't this great spontaneous public art? It's the visitor stickers and wrist bracelets on a trash can.

Me and Hanna Whaling around.....


Nice strippy in one of the cottages.

This sweet little doll bed was carved by a captain at sea. Upon his return, he was informed that his baby daughter had died while he was away :(
The little quilts are so sweet.


Monday brought another day of quilting and guild fun, but I'll save that for next time.