Thursday, September 15, 2011

★Star Gazer★ Quilted Wallhanging

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Since September is National Sewing Month

I've been trying to complete some of my

UFOs...UnFinished prOjects!


When I lived in FL, I took a class with Pepper Cory at my quilt guild.

She is the GURU of paper piecing stars.

I came home with ONE single block of a dynamic star.

It took me the entire class time to make just this one block!

I considered putting it into a tote but I was afraid it would get ruined,

schlepping it around town.

I thought about a vest but it isn't the type of thing I'd wear.

Finally, after being inspired by my friend Mamacjt's little colorful block borders HERE,

I decided to finish it as a wall hanging.


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I used my chalk pounce to outline feathers for the border.

This was the first time I used this, although I've had it for YEARS!

The little *eraser* is filled with chalk through that circle cap in the top.

You then pounce the eraser over a stencil &

the pattern comes through onto your quilt.

It worked great but my ability to FOLLOW the

chalk lines with my sewing machine was another matter.


I wish I had my machine set DOWN into a table

where I could move the quilt more easily.

I kept bumping into things at the back

thus I kept snagging & stopping.


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On the other hand, I think my stippling is getting MUCH better!

That's the tiny, squiggly lines between the star points below.


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Just like anything else in life, the more you do it, the better you get.

I keep plodding along with my free motion skills,

trying to improve with each project.


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I use snap hair clips to hold my bindings in place while I sew them.

It is a wonderful alternative to getting stuck with pins while you work!

Below is an angled shot, to show the texture.


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The teacher didn't tell us to remove the paper from between the star points

as we went along.

Normally, in paper piecing, you can leave them in

until you're block is completed,

but this one has so many intersections in the middle

that it became impossible to sew them together correctly.

It was too late & we were almost done,

so I have one little area that doesn't fit as perfectly as all the others.

It made me sad,

as it could have been SEW perfect otherwise,

but it was a good lesson to learn &

one I won't soon forget.


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Anyway, its DONE!!!

I've named it ★ STAR GAZER ★

This UFO only took about 9 years to complete!


Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House today &

letting me share my sewing projects with you.

I have more coming, so stay tuned.


I'll be joining The Tablescaper for her

Seasonal Sundays party


13 comments:

  1. Absolutely gorgeous Rett! I love the colors and appreciate the amount of work that went into it-enjoy:@)

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  2. It's very pretty, Rett. I think that a wall hanging is the perfect solution.

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  3. That is absolutely amazing! I am so impressed!!! You are so talented! I love the stippling! Wow... that is all I can say!

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  4. You are a STAR! How beautiful! I wonder why the teacher didn't tell you, just forgot?
    There is a sculpture here on LI called Star gazer. When you come I will show you! :)

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  5. Hi,
    Boy, did this post hit home! I just got home from a three day quilting retreat. Worked on a few of those UFO's myself. Still have a few more to tackle. Your stippling looks great! I am not very good. Need to practice, practice, practice! I know it feels so good to have it finished!

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  6. Dynamic is definitely the word to describe this beautiful quilt. I'd say your FM skills are pretty dang good, Rett. Love it.

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  7. Your work looks fabulous Rett and I bet it feels good to have one more project out of the way and so beautifully done. I've been sewing some UFO's too in the past couple of weeks getting ready for a church auction. Thanks for sharing this piece, its fantastic.

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  8. Fabulous, Rett! I've a few UFOs around my house too. My needlepoint basket is full of them. But I'm working my way through. ;-)

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  9. Wow, it's beautiful, Rett! Great work and you get one big gold star for that piece of art!

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  10. Hi Rett
    Just popping over to say hi and see what you're working on. What a surprise I got, the wall hanging is beautiful! To the eye of one who doesn't sew, your Star Gazer looks perfect!
    I may not visit often, but I think of you every day when I use the tea items you sewed for me.
    Judith

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  11. This is SEW beautiful Rett~ I love the starburst & the stippling! My MIL was a wonderful quilter~ she can't see anymore to do it, but I always admired her work & patience. Bravo for finishing!

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  12. Rett:

    You are amazingly talented.

    Love the new header.

    - The Tablescaper

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~