What I Learned Today

What I Learned Today

30's Lone Star Mock-UpSo I spent my afternoon with Jan Krentz (Okay not HER, but her DVD) and getting my first lone star quilt setup.  I chose 30’s reproduction fabric, for many of my friends this will not come as a surprise.  There is something about 30s fabric that just makes me smile.  It’s bright, it’s cheery, it plays well together, what’s not to like?

I plan on the center to be bright red and will burst out into the cooler colors.  The background will be yellow, and then I plan on adding either smaller stars or some applique in the corners.  Jan’s DVD is a WONDERFUL tool if you plan on making one of these in a strip pieced method.  Her instructions are clear and precise, as is her entire method of assembly.

olfa45So as for what I learned today?  I should be embarrassed probably, but I will admit it, I have NEVER changed the blade on my rotary cutter….ever.  So when watching the DVD, because of the need for precision, she tells you to change your blade.  So I open my package of blade and pop a new one in.  (And I didn’t even cut myself!)  Boy HOWDY does that make a HUGE difference!!!  It cuts like BUTTER!  So the moral of the story is….change your blade.  (I admit I was cheap and didn’t want to spend the $7 on a blade, but it was SO worth it, and made the cutting process MUCH easier and enjoyable.)

So tomorrow I need to get my strip sets sewn together.  Then it’s off to Sew Inspired (my LQS) to get some muslin so I can “block” my diamonds once they are complete.  I also need to see if my 97D foot has come in yet, I can’t WAIT for that little gem!  I will keep you updated on my progress!  Excited to see how this turns out!   😀

Vacation – I’m Back!

Vacation – I’m Back!

30sI’m back from vacation and ready to get going on some projects!

We had a wonderful time at Disney World, so much to see and do, and a few quilts ideas while I was there.

But for now it’s time to focus on my Lone Star quilt.  I decided to take a practice run at it.  So I am making a 30’s Lone Star (something that won’t shock any of my quilt friends, I have a fondness for 30’s fabric, so I’m breaking into my stash to create this one.)

Tonight I plan on to finish pulling fabric from my stash, and then getting some strips cut.  I also plan on making it scrappy, so even though the blues will be similar, the patterns will be different.  That way I can use more smaller pieces of fabric in my project.

Hopefully by the end of the week I will have a panel to show you all!  😀

Love the Lone Star!

Love the Lone Star!

Lone Star Quilts & Beyond by Jan Krentz

Lone Star Quilts & Beyond by Jan Krentz

I love a Lone Star in a quilt.

There is something about all those rings of color that I just love.  I’ve been getting a project together to make a Lone Star of my very own.  I asked friends and other quilters what technique they used, some used a template, some used a pre-printed interfacing.  Then a friend of mine told me to check out Jan Krentz’s book “Lone Star Quilts and Beyond” (which I purchased).  There is also a video on YouTube, and you could rent it for $4.  (Money well spent, GREAT companion to the book I believe it’s a hour and 40 minutes of instruction if memory serves me)

It’s an interesting technique.  I like it because it all makes perfect sense, and she’s very methodical about the process.  So I decided that is the technique I’m going to try.  So wish me luck!  And hopefully I will have some samples to show you soon!

Also a note that my blog will be quiet for a few days, as Karl and I are off to sunny Florida! We will be spending time with our “Philly Family” at Disney World with our god daughter Clare.  So I might post a photo or 2 but nothing quilt-related….unless I find one while I’m there.  😀

Happy Quilting!!