Monday, April 25, 2011

a new portable project

I'm very excited-I found my portable summer hand stitching project! This makes me laugh, and is highly optimistic, since spring hasn't even sprung here yet. But once summer comes, I'll be ready!
This quilt is inspired by Jessica's travel quilts. Aren't they AMAZING? I have admired her star quilts for years, and now I'm diving in. I'm as scared as I was when I first was trying hand applique, but that turned out pretty dandy, so why not try something new?

A few specifics: Jessica has a video tutorial on how to make the stars. There is a flickr group here. She suggests using quilt patis, but I made my own cardboard templates. I didn't want to wait and order them, so I tried making my own, complete with punched holes and so far, so good! I drew a 60 degree diamond, with each diamond side measuring 2" long, which means the stars finish at 6.5" across. I can't wait to watch it grow. This is going to be a fun journey!

Happy Monday to you!

45 comments:

Impera Magna said...

Oh, that is going to be just beautiful... great job!

Jessica said...

enjoy enjoy!
i love the stars you've done already!!

Andria said...

Those are so cute!

StuffandThings said...

Thank you for the link to Jessica's blog. Your stars look great and I am sure you will make something spectacular.

SkippityDoDahQuilts said...

I love the 30's feel of the stars! So fun!

Happy Quilting!

www.skippitydodahquilts.blogspot.com

leigh said...

I love working on english paper piecing in the car (on trips). It is super portable and a great way to use scraps. I've been working on a hexagon one for a while now. It's turning out great!

Rachel said...

This is a beautiful pattern. I have this pattern done by my grandmother for my mother. the top is done, but I just have to quilt it for my mom. It's very special since it was the last quilt my grandma made before she passed. This will surely keep your hands busy during down time in the summer!!

Cheers!
Rachel
www.dewberrylane.com

Linda said...

Wow, those are going to be awesome! Might have to think about some sort of portable project like that one of these days. Seems like I am gone more than I am home a lot lately. Looks like a good scrap project.
And I giggled all the way through her video. She has a very busy helper. :)

Marti said...

I already love it! Did you make one cardboard template and then use it to make paper pieces? I know, I know, I'll go read the links now. ;)

Jezibels said...

I always wanted to have a travel project and to make a little toolbox!

LesQuilts said...

Hi! You should check out One Inchy Hexagon blog!
We are making hexagon flowers with hexagon shapes, ie: like yours, but I know, different, with different shapes!
http://inchyhexagonswap.blogspot.com
if Jane opens up anymore spots, you may be interested!
Take care, Leslie

audreypawdrey said...

This is going to be stunning! I am going away for two weeks this summer, and if I don't have anything to work on I will go crazy! I love the way these are turning out.

deebriese said...

Amandajean: I love this I am also facinated by hand quilting...I love the cathedral window also..

Hands Sew Full said...

OOH! I need something to do when I can't be at my machine! I have to look into these they look wonderful. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Great travel project! I love what you have done so far. Thanks for the ideas and links.

Kristyne said...

You know, I've only ever done hexies like this. I think it's time I give diamonds a try - they are a girl's best friend, aren't they? ;)

bethanndodd said...

Yay for trying something new! I still need to give hexagons a try. Looking forward to watching your progress :)

Canadian Kristin said...

I fell in love with the Inchy Hexagons but these diamonds have been tempting me to give them a whirl! I have a Cricut Expression so cut my own templates by the dozens with that... scrapbooking stores usually have die cut machines that you run cardstock through several sheets at a time, perhaps there is one in your town?

amy smart said...

Love.

Deb said...

I love to paper piece also! I have made paper pieces from freezer paper and then ironed it to the fabric, which worked nifty. But, then I got tired of making the pieces and bought the pieces from Paper Pieces. They have a web site...paperpieces.com. They have die cut pieces for reasonable amount. It is a great portable needlework project!!

Deb from Cluttered Quilter.blogspot.com

Edith said...

Welcome to the club! :-) I am also working at a star quilt - with the quilt patis templates Jessica recommended. I'll have to update my blog about my progress. I am sure loving piecing these stars, they are so pretty.

Cille said...

I love it. Just started my first star quilt as well and was surprised how fast it is going. I thought this was goping to be a year+ project, but apparently not. Cheating a bit though as I'm making it with my Mom.

I was going to use a hexagon between the stars but really like them a bit closer together like yours. I will have to go home and play a little :)

JHNickodemus said...

Ooof. That looks like as much work as a grandmother's flower garden!

Alicia said...

I love these stars!!thanks for sharing the tuto!!
hugs from spain

Unknown said...

I really like the stars love your fabrics to i have just finished the top part of my first ever patchwork quilt and i did hexagons but i used my own cardboard templates i was thinking of doing another one for my mum as i loved making it all be hand and not using the machine. I am now in the process of hand quilting it which i am enjoying. I will defiantly try the stars next so thank you for the idea ;-) Enjoy yours and i will enjoy watching it grow and develop, dee x

Selfsewn said...

Yay I have finished my diamond quilt top, just need to quilt it!

Its a lovely project.

-girl from the bush said...

Hi Amandajean, I love your stars! I am handpiecing some 'candied Hexagons'..from Kerry Dear. Love doing the diferent colour combos. I HAVE JUST GOT BACK INTO DOING THEM AS I HAVEN'T TOUCHED THEM FOR 5 MONTHS AS THE CROCHET BUG GOT ME. Thanks for the link to jessicas blog, i'm off to check it out now. sue~ n.z.

Thimbleanna said...

OhMyGosh -- your stars are adorable! I love the fabrics you've chosen. It's going to be a fantastic take-along project! If I ever get done with my yoyos (ha!) I'm thinking stars or hexagons would be a great replacement -- like you, I love to have a portable project. I'm looking forward to seeing this one grow!

kylaparker said...

This is exactly what I've been waiting for :-) Can't wait for the holidays to start... Still working on my hexagons though... Not sure if I'm finishing those first or start something new. This is definitely highly contagious :-)

Suzanne said...

I love that you are always thinking. I've done yo yo's but I'm barely up to the point of hexagons. Diamonds to stars will be off in my future, I'm sure.

Terriaw said...

these really are amazing! I do love having a portable project, especially for summer. I remember the portable project you worked on last summer - those applique flower petals. Very cool. Love this one too!

Traci said...

Ooooooh--I love it! Perfect portable project!! I have been looking for that blue print (in any of the colorways) and can't track it down anywhere. I know it was Windham feedsack 2--did you get it recently? Do you have any I could buy from you or trade? I love it so much and am so bummed that I missed it!

Kelly L. said...

I'm working on a english paper piecing project as well but mine is hexagons. I'm thinking that my project will last for this spring, summer and probably into the fall in order to hand quilt it as well. Good luck with yours!

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

I love this! I have been filling jars with paper pieces not sure as to what I was going to make with them. You have got the wheels turning in my mind. Thank you!

Kim D. said...

Wow, love those stars! I would definitely start this project if I didn't have a hex project already in the works. Thanks for sharing the link to Jessica's travel quilt. I just posted photo's of my hex quilt this morning. It was my travel project as well, so I throughly enjoyed her post.
I look forward to seeing your progress.

Beth said...

Your stars look so good. I do believe that I have a couple of kits that use English paper piecing. Great idea for a summer project ( or a take along in any weather).

quirky granola girl said...

those are stunning!
pick up some sunblock and mosquito spray and you are ready for WI summer :)

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Wow, it looks beautiful so far, and I love that it's 30's style fabric but not applique flowers...the stars are really fresh and different!

Lisa H. said...

You are fearless!

pratima said...

pretty stars. They are sparkling with the white path in between them. Happy stitching!

Quiltefia said...

Hi!! Paper piecing is great work!! but you can do it easier!! Paper templates from Sue Daley and a glue-pen from Sewline!! Very helpful!! And I still love your blog, and I am so glad that you came back after your Blog-pauce...... The best!! Anne:-)

Jo @ life in lists said...

I just recently decided that this summer's hand pieced project is going to be diamonds, so it's nice to see I'm not alone! Last year I managed to piece an entire king size quilt top in hexagons- http://lifeinlists.typepad.com/blog/2010/07/the-big-top.html - which I'm in the process of hand quilting.

kylaparker said...

I started this and it's just so satisfying!! Much easier to do than hexagons... If you have time to stop by my blog: www.wildesdurcheinander.blogspot.com I'll post pics soon...

Deb R said...

ohhh its gorgeous!!! I can see another addiction coming on...move over hexis :)

VickyB said...

I am glad to see that someone else is tackling this project. Mine has been ongoing for over 7 years. As soon as I tire of it I put it aside and pick up when I run out of hand project. I will take a pic and post on my blog. Your project is beautiful.