My Favorite Quilt Block - Wonky Star

Welcome to my little part of the crafty blog world. 

I'm super excited to be a part of 'My Favorite Block Quilt Along'. The awesome host, Kim, has short interview with me over at  Persimmon Dreams.

Trying to choose one favorite quilt block proved to be harder than I anticipated.  I finally landed on the Wonky Star. 

My personality leans towards straight, symmetrical, and perfect blocks but this layout gets me to step out of my comfort zone and create something on the fly!  All in all, this block is good for me.

Here's my little tutorial :)

Wonky Star

Materials:

For a 12” finished block (12.5” unfinished block)

Cut 8 – 4.5” x 4.5” background fabric(s)

Cut 1 – 4.5” x 4.5” center fabric

Cut 4 - 4.5” x 4.5” star point fabric(s) *

For a 6” finished block (6.5” unfinished block)

Cut 8 – 2.5” x 2.5” background fabric(s)

Cut 1 – 2.5” x 2.5” center fabric

Cut 4 - 2.5” x 2.5” star point fabric(s) *

*If you want a little extra leeway make these 0.5” larger (especially on the smaller blocks)

Above photo is for reference. This is the layout of the all your pieces, with the star point fabrics on the outside of the background fabrics they will be sewed on

Construction:

1/4" seams throughout

1. Cut your 4 star point fabrics and cut them in half.

2. On one background fabric place one star point.  I usually test how wonky I want my points to be. Make sure the star point fabric covers the background fabric.  The background fabric is your reference.

Below is what NOT to do.  This is easy to do on the smaller blocks so check, check, and double check.

3. Sew, trim background fabric, press.

4. Repeat for 2nd star point. Sew, trim background fabric, press.

5. Now trim block to original background size (on all sides).

6. Repeat steps 2 – 5 for all four star points.

7. Assemble your 9-patch.

Suggestions on pressing: I’m a press to the side kind of gal because I feel it gives more stability in the finished product and my mother taught me to do this. I do highly suggest nesting your seams.  I’ve added a photo as examples of how I’ve put together my blocks. 

Finished blocks:

                12.5” unfinished block                                                  

6.5” unfinished block

Other examples of wonky stars I’ve made:

You can mix it up with tons of combinations of background, star, and center points.  I love gathering my inner wonk!

 

This beauty was entirely from scraps.  I starched each piece and cut 1" strips and went to town.  The seams are bulky but - ohhhh soo cute!

So for a handy reference, you can download this tutorial available here.

Remember to check out the other 20 designers over at Persimon Dreams main page for this QAL. Make sure to check out Karen over at Little Birdie Quilting with her fantastic strippy leaf block from Tuesday - it's fantastic!

Oh and there's a super active flickr group where you can find some great color choices.

I can't wait to see what people make.

~~~

Thanks for stopping by!  Please feel free to check out my other blog posts. And a monthly linky party, hosted by Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs and myself,  'A Lovely Year of Finishes' where you finish up your projects and you can enter to win prizes.

February: A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Finishes Party

Second month!  Did you complete your goal?

I did!

It was the mid-month check-in totally kicked me into gear! As I just had this sitting for ohhh 2-weeks.

I even hand delivered this to my fella's parents.  They are so wonderful!
I hope they like this.

Quilt Stats:

Name: Batik Strips

Size: approx. 56" x 70"

Fabrics:  Batiks from local shop hop in 2011. 

Binding: brown + colorful batik 
Pattern:  My own design

Quilting: Me with long arm rental with all over large loop-dee-loos 

Started : 2012

Completed: February 2013 

~~~

Now it's your turn!

Please link up your finished it project below. 

Oh and grab a button for your blog post

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvBE7uofUE15qEda8ii_lCUv9l9ajbjKBxw5xuQHlMIkMtwM_aDuyXvP350NArINiIsI944NN1d1nnvh4WUKQcPN01tr519Pg9cNPbImu-G1P-vihiQu88UZr7jpHTG7HCO5NHNnKSAj4/s400/2013btn600.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

No worries if you aren't a blogger, you can link up your finished project from a photo you've added to our  flickr group. You know you want to!  391 of our closest flickr friends want to see what you've been working on.

Melissa and I are excited to host this monthly link with tons of prizes!

To be eligible for February prizes you must have entered into the goal setting party.

**Please note, this is the same linky on both Melissa's blog and here, so no need to enter twice ***

Prizes for this month are as follows:

1. $20.00 Gift Certificate from the Quilting Lodge

2. $15.00 Gift Certificate from Contemporary Cloth

3. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n' Giggles

4. $15.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop

5. Hex-A-Holic Handbook from Paper Pieces

6. Riley Blake Designs - fat quarter bundle {one of their latest lines}

6 winners will be chosen by Mr. Random for those that post here with your finish that had also linked-up to the goal setting party.  So remember to check your emails!

~~~~
Need more information on this year long party? 
Check out the details of 2013 ~ A lovely year of finishes found here or here.

Also our flickr group there are lovely participants and some Q&A on it's own page .



February mid-month check-in linky party

Short month!  Mid-month!  Oh dear!

So we're doing a mid-month check-in for A Lovely Year of Finishes.

This is a reminder to keep working towards your goal :)

Ra-ra!  You can do it!  

Uhh I need this to as I haven't touched my February goal. 
My partner is doing way better on her goal, go Melissa!

Please note this is going to be a SHORT check in because the month is so short.  The linky will be open for only 5 days.

Melissa and I would love to see how you're all doing.

And this is not mandatory just a fun encouragement along the way! 
Oh and remember to go check out the flickr group there are super fun things and TON of photos there too.  

And remember to visit some of these lovely people and grab a button for your blog posts.

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvBE7uofUE15qEda8ii_lCUv9l9ajbjKBxw5xuQHlMIkMtwM_aDuyXvP350NArINiIsI944NN1d1nnvh4WUKQcPN01tr519Pg9cNPbImu-G1P-vihiQu88UZr7jpHTG7HCO5NHNnKSAj4/s400/2013btn600.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

You people are amazing!

Sewing - what's that?

I am so lucky to live right down the road for such a sweet and talented blogger, Solar Threads.

Yesterday we got together to "sew" - it was mainly catching up since it's been awhile since we actually got to talk.

I did bring over my fabric for the Sew Kind of Wonderful Curve it Up QAL.  I only opened the box - nothing got accomplished! There are 7 blocks listed and I have 3 of them done -lalalalala
{maybe a March A Lovely Year of finishes goal :) }

~~~~

I been sewing, but something not so quilty.

I putting lace back on a wedding dress.

I felt super smart! I transformed the bookshelf to a hanging device.  The dress wasn't flopping around here and there.

Oh and I free motion quilted the lace on.  I have no clue if that was right but you know what - it doesn't matter :) Because it's done, done, done!

I feel a little crazy that I actually took this project on!
Only for one of my bff's!

~~~

I'm linking up to

I'm also desperately avoiding a new project because of Janice's lone star post.
Drool!

Happy Tuesday peeps!

 



January Winners ~ A Lovely Year of Finishes

I'm so tickled at the amazing turn out of this group. 

It kinda makes me feel better I'm not the only one with WIPS all over the place. 

150 posted finishes and I know there were a few that finished up after the deadline. 

You all are seriously amazing!

2013 is going to be good :)

And just to show you how good, how about some winners from last months 'A Lovely Year of Finishes' from people that linked up to both the goal setting party AND they linked up their finish at the end of the month.

1. $20.00 Gift Certificate from the Quilting Lodge

The winner is Ellie Q

~~~
2. $10.00 Gift Certificate from Contemporary Cloth

The winner is Beth

~~~

3. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n' Giggles

The winner is Muriël 

~~~

4. Charm Pack donated by Melissa and Shanna 

The winner is Jessica 

~~~

Many heartfelt thanks to our sponsors.  It's so fun to finish things up but also to enter in to get a little something something.

Oh and by the way, we'll be answering a few more questions in the Q&A for our little group.

♥

This month's goal setting party is open til the 7th.  So please make sure to add your link here with me or here with Melissa. You only have to link-in once as we share the linky party.  It's crazy how these things work.

February: A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Goal Setting Party

Here we go with the second month - whoop!

Check out the details of 2013 ~ A lovely year of finishes found here or here.

Also our flickr group there are lovely participants and some Q&A on it's own page .

~~~

My goal is the second quilt I had on the long-arm rental last month. 



So it's trim and put on the binding. 
Even with a busy month I can do this!
~~~~

So what are you going to finish in February?

Remember you should only choose one item.  You for sure have more going on but pick one that you'll finish. 

Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) here.

Oh and grab a button for your blog post!

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image004.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

**Please note, this is the same linky on both Melissa's blog and here, so no need to enter twice ***

Melissa and I are excited to host a monthly link with tons of prizes!

Prizes for this month are as follows:

1. $20.00 Gift Certificate from the Quilting Lodge

2. $15.00 Gift Certificate from Contemporary Cloth

3. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n' Giggles

4. $15.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop

5. Hex-A-Holic Handbook from Paper Pieces

6. Riley Blake Designs - fat quarter bundle {one of their latest lines}

6 winners will be chosen by Mr. Random for those that post here and the wrap-up at the end of the month with a completed finish.