Tuesday 3 June 2014

Starry Starry Quilt

 The starry quilt has come back from being longarm quilted and i had fun taking some pictures of it over the weekend.............i took various photos of it here and there, and pinned it up in my sewing room where it will stay for a while as i like the bright colours.............
 ..................above is a peek into my sewing room.........behind the door on the right is my fabric cupboard as well as a small sofa piled up with fabric and my ironing board with a partly made project on it (top secret, for a magazine).............i made forty four six point stars for this little quilt and joined them with a white hexagon, then filled in the sides with white fabric to straighten them and added a two inch border all round..............
 ............the stars were all hand sewn using english paper piecing........i got my diamond pieces from sew and quilt here..................i used lots of my favourite fabrics from my stash and the white fabric is kona white also from sew and quilt...............
 ...............making the stars was a pleasure, as i enjoyed using up lots of prints and it was a very portable project so i could make a few now and then and before i knew it had quite a collection.......
 ................here is a handy tip i learnt.........if you piece the diamonds together in two groups of three and then join the two 'halves' of the star together right across the long, straight middle seam it prevents that little gap that sometimes forms in the star centre and the wobbly effect that sometimes creates..........sewing across the middle seam makes it a much sturdier star :)...............
                                    ..............i tried not to include too many pictures ;)..............
 .................just a couple more.............here is the backing made using the gorgeous pam kitty picnic gumball dot pattern which i mentioned last time.............it picks out all the colours in the quilt so nicely and i used some of my old favourite pink and white candy stripe for the binding (i bought a vast amount of this fabric a few years ago and have used it in endless ways since then.......my stock of it is getting a bit low now though....................
 ...............the long arm quilting pattern is an all over one of daisies..................
..............some of you may remember the little patchwork birds i made for the exciting and inspiring love patchwork and quilting magazine...........i am pleased to say they are featured on the hobbycraft blog so if you missed them before and would like the pattern now, pop over there and see the feature........you can even buy the little white tree from hobbycraft to hang your own birdies on...............
 ............i have enjoyed a few posies from the garden this week and just had to include one here....
..............this deep magenta rose has a gorgeous scent and i love having  this jug on my desk while i work, or next to my cutting table...............
 ...............i am loving this time of year, with lots of sunny garden days and lots of lovely new crafty things to make too...........i am busy with work projects this week, but i'm also gathering yarn together for another flowery crochet cushion.........thank you to everyone who asked about my cushion in the previous post.........i will try to write out the pattern for it soon and let you know how i made it.......
                                           ...............a little pile of summery quilts.............
................thank you for dropping in to see me in my crafty little blog space, lovely readers, it is a pleasure to see you.........and thank you so much for the sweet comments too......i know everyone is very busy and i really do appreciate you taking the time...............wishing you all lots of happy sunny days and starry starry nights.....................back soon xxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxx

69 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Awe Helen your quilt is sooooo beautiful, you are a true inspiration! :)
Love your little garden posy too, the garden is really coming to life now with lots to choose from!
Looking forward to seeing your new crochet project! :)
Have a lovely week,
V xxx

julie said...

Wow Helen, the quilt is just stunning and I love the little pile of summery quilts, so pretty.

Wishing you lots more sunny garden crafting days to come
J x

justpootling said...

Your star quilt is beautiful Helen - the more you look at it, the more patterns you see.I can see why you would want to keep it hung up.
Have a good week
Kate x

Judy Glasson said...

Your star quilt is lovely. So bright and cheery. Love the fabric you have used on the back too. Wish I had some. Love your garden. Winter is on its way here. Not that you would notice. Still quite warm. Thanks for the great blog.Best wishes
Judy.

Christine B said...

Love your starry quilt Helen. The colours are so pretty and the daisy quilting is lovely! :)

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

I'm "starry eyed" in love with your beautiful starry starry quilt Helen!!!! Absolutely love the fabrics, backing and binding. You did a fabulous job and should be so proud. I love your pile of summery quilts in your sewing room. Eye Candy indeed!
Enjoy this pretty summer so far and thank you for sharing your helpful hints, xoRobin

Jilly said...

Wow Helen, your star quilt is fabulous! It is making me want to try paper piecing again - which I haven't tried since I was a student (many years ago) Such beautiful colours and so summery.

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Loved all the pictures of your adorable quilt!! So pretty to look at!!

marmarel said...

Very beautiful star-quilt and I love the pictures of your sewingroom too!
Your birdies are so lovely!
Greetings from Marijke

scrappyjacky said...

The quilt looks so pretty....but lovely and bright and summery.

sew said...

Wow indeed - another masterpiece from the Philipps genius! It's beautiful, Helen and a work of art.
I love your posy & am just about to crochet a pansy from a pattern I noticed this morning and can't wait any longer to have a go!

Unknown said...

Beautiful, beautiful quilt, Helen! I love the stars, but so often quilt patterns get too 'busy' for my liking - the white background really makes the stars shine! ;-) Chrissie x

Samantha Roberts said...

Thank you for the tip of sewing the diamonds together to make the stars, your quilt is so lovely I'm very tempted to have a go at one. In the meantime I have printed off the bird pattern and will have a go at making some, thanks for this. Sam xx

...Nina Nixon... said...

Hi Helen!

I love your starry quilt. I've not made one of those before, but I did make a spider web one...many moons ago.

I just wanted to let you know I've changed my blog name to ninanixonuk - I forgot to announce it on the blog before I made the change over...ever so sorry.

Nina x

Annerose said...

Wunderschön dein Sternenquilt und wie immer hast du tolle Farben ausgewählt.
Ganz liebe Grüße Annerose

Thimbleanna said...

Always such happy eye candy over here. Your new little quilt is beautiful!

Mickie said...

Helen,
My, what a lovely quilt, so bright and cheerful. I agree some quilts can be "too busy", but the white background really sets off the wonderful prints. I look forward to your post each week with much anticipation. Thank you for sharing your lovely creations.
Mickie, Indiana, USA

Mickie said...

Helen,
My, what a lovely quilt, so bright and cheerful. I agree some quilts can be "too busy", but the white background really sets off the wonderful prints. I look forward to your post each week with much anticipation. Thank you for sharing your lovely creations.
Mickie, Indiana, USA

Jane said...

How beautiful your starry quilt is Helen and the Daisy pattern sewn on it really does finish it off perfectly. It looks so bright and cheerful hanging there....enjoy ;0)x

By Neymes said...

O COLORIDO DAS MANTAS NA CADEIRA ME ENCANTA,PARABÉNS HELEN.VALÉRIA.

Sally said...

What a lovely quilt! I really want to make my own now, thanks for the inspiration!
Sally x

Lorrie said...

Such a summery starry quilt. It's beautiful. That's a great tip about sewing across the centre of the pieced stars.

Simone said...

Gorgeous! Everything is so gorgeous! I think your starry quilt is one of my favourtes. I love the colourful star shapes with the white background. Most striking! x

Wilfing Mum said...

I absolutely adore your starry quilt - just beautiful. I was interested to have a look at the longarm quilting website, as it is the quilting side that puts me off making quilts, as I am not a free-motion quilter & my machine struggles with even a small quilt doing straight lines! I'm also terrified of destroying all my hard work of making the quilt top by messing up the quilting. Thankyou!

Jennifer Hays said...

Helen, your quilt is stunning! Wow, it's just gorgeous. I love the colors and the star motif is so crisp and fresh with the white background. Well done.

Elderberry-Rob said...

Your quilt is beautiful, I love the fresh bright colours against the white. I wondered how many hours it must have taken to make! A lovely colourful post that really makes me feel like bringing some colour into my home too!

Ingrid Orens said...

Your star quilt is soooo beautiful ! And the backing fabric - it's just perfect for the quilt... Colourful, and funny... Looks like confetti ! It just "finishes" the quilt...
Fantastic !
Xxx, Ingrid

Blog da cidoleta said...

Que linda essa colcha !
As estrelas são lindas e as cores também . Beijos.

busybusybeejay said...

That is just beautiful.Your choice of fabrics and colours is always spot on perfect.Barbarax

gillyflower said...

So beautiful! The simple star shapes set against the white make such a pretty cheerful quilt, and great for using up scraps too.
Thanks for including the link to the longarm quilting site, its something I'd never really thought of.
I've had a hand pieced star project on the go for a while now, and seeing your beautiful finished one makes me want to get back on with it - thanks for the inspiration Helen, as ever!
Gill xx

Ali said...

That is sooo pretty - you must be so pleased with it xxx

vintage grey said...

Oh, it is so beautiful Helen!! I just love it!! Thanks for the tip on piecing the middle of the stars! I am making 8-point stars and had problems with the centers, and just learned about doing it this way. ;)Have a lovely week!! xo Heather

maryaustria said...

This quilt is dreamlike! So beautiful! Absolutely amazing!

Susan Freeman said...

I love that brightly colored quilt and the pretty fabrics you used. So cheerful! And thank you for the tip about stitching the diamonds together. Makes perfect sense, but I would probably not thought of it.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Christine said...

it is so beautiful!!! I love all the different fabrics for the stars. I just started some paper piecing yesterday and I just love it.

Ladybird Diaries said...

Oh my goodness Helen, your quilt is just beautiful! I love it.
Marianne x

sky-blu-pink said...

Love the birdies! I am inspired by the star patchwork, and am straight out to buy the twiggy tree!

Amy at love made my home said...

Lovely Helen!! I like the white background as it really makes the colours of the star pop out. I hope that you enjoy it hanging on your wall or wrapped around you, whichever you decide! xx

Jane said...

Such a beautiful quilt, I love the colourful stars on the white background. Have a good week.
Jane x

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Swoon! I LOVE that quilt! Thanks for the tip on joining the diamonds for a well done center. I've never heard of "English paper piecing" so I'm going to Google it and see what I find. As always, your flowers are so lovely.

Oh gosh, I love that quilt!!!

Unknown said...

Ah Helen what a gorgeous quilt, it takes my breath away. I think your sewing room is just perfect and so you - I wish mine looked like yours, I would be a happy girl. As always I love coming to visit you Helen and always leave inspired by your talent and the wonderful things you always create. Big hugs
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Crafty in the Med said...

Hello helen. I so enjoy your blog! You make the loveliest of things. The star quilt is indeed impressive and do like that you have described how you made it.you make it sound so easy.

Keep well
Amanda x

Ana Love Craft said...

Hi Hellen, this is absolutely stunning!!! I can't imagine how many hours you spent making this wonderful quilt!I looove it! Your flower arrangements are always so beautiful and delicate. Lovely sewing room and sweet birds. Thanks for sharing.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello Helen! As always, I love coming to visit you because your colors and home and photos make me so happy. It's like having tea with you. I'm glad you are planning to tell us how to do your cushion as it's divine. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for sharing more of your lovely work, Helen. I am reminded of the starry night we enjoyed driving to CA last night. My oldest daughter, her 4 little girls and I arrived at 3:15am this morning at the home of our friends! xx

Sherri said...

Beautiful! Thank you for the paper piecing tip too!

Pixie Camembert said...

Hi, Helen.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your starry quilt. The colors, the design, the quilting...all are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing. Someday I WILL get back to quilting. Thanks again.
Sally in California

homemade@myplace said...

I love stars, so your quilt is just fab!!!!!
xxxxxxx Ale

Frances said...

Helen, that starry quilt is really a tour de force of artfully contrasting, yet also complimentary colors. The while hexagons are perfect choices to invite the viewers' eyes to study each star.

Lovely! Thank you for that tip about paper piecing the stars in two half-sections, then doing one long seam.

When on when am I actually going to do some quilting?

Later this morning, I will be doing a little watercolor birthday card for a friend, and think that your photograph with the purple and white pansies may have suggested part of my card's design.

Many thanks. xo

Kay said...

beautiful!! This is another quilt I simply must make. x

Pat's Patch said...

Hello Helen, Your starry quilt is beautiful! I love your cute birds as well + thank you for your tips and links for your makes. Love Pat x

Pat's Patch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pat's Patch said...

Hello Helen, Your starry quilt is beautiful! I love your cute birds as well + thank you for your tips and links for your makes. Love Pat x

emma said...

Such a beautiful quilt. You are such an inspiration for many of us - just looking at your blog cheers and encourages me! Thank you!

Henry's Shed said...

Wow! Such a beautiful quilt! EPP is such fun - I might have to have a little break from hexagons to try some of these gorgeous stars! xx

Joy said...

Starry, starry night .. .. .. I love your quilt Helen, you clever thing you, it's beautiful, and your little birdies too! The little posy from your garden is so bright and cheery - isn't it nice to have your own blooms inside where you can enjoy them and take in the lovely fragrance! Wishing you a happy weekend! xoJoy

The warm fireplace said...

Thank you for your tip on putting the star patchwork together, i have had the same problem of it not looking right, great tip.
Sue

A little happy place said...

Oh Helen, I LOVE that quilt, well worth all the hours of hand stitching! Have a super weekend. Sarah xo

My Little Home and Garden said...

Helen, I love the starry quilt. It's so beautiful and the polka dot backing is fun!

The little birds look happy in their tree and there is nothing like a jug of garden flowers to bring a smile to one's face.

I hope you're having a beautiful weekend.

Karen

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

I see I missed a lot when I was having a holiday in your beautiful country! I enjoyed seeing photo's of your garden and pretty flowers. Your starry quilt looks beautiful. It must have been so much work. How do you do it all :-)?

Wishing you a Happy weekend!

Madelief x

claire said...

It's gorgeous Helen :)

Lucie said...

Les photographies sont magnifiques! Félicitations !

Sam I Am...... said...

I love EPP and thank you for the tip about sewing 3 and then joining down the middle. I have not done stars yet but they were next on my list as I just love stars.
I think your next book should be a compilation of all your skills and creativity...decorating, gardening, quilting, crocheting and the paper crafts you do...oh, and cross stitch! Plus, anything else that I forgot or don't know about. How about a Beatrix Potter inspiration theme since you visit there.
I personally do look for books that cover all different areas as most of us, I think, do have varied interests and of course we all want the most for our money. LOL! I know from blogging...most of the blogs I love are ones that have a variety and even throw in a recipe now and then. that's why I love yours...it's all beauty in many different forms from flowers to sewing to stitching to quilting to whimsical creations and a travelogue too. I could publish your blog into a book and read it every night! Seriously! Hugs...Sam

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

That quilt is spectacular, I simply can't understand how anybody can make one with those tiny pieces... But all that work has paid off: the most gorgeous pile of summer quilts!

Have a lovely week!

Yours,
Mia

Darice said...

Dear Helen,
Loving your sweet flowery little blog! Some
days when its dreary here, I love to look at your pictures and get motivation from your crafty ideas! I especially did love your starry quilt, but have never completed any paper piecing. This just be the nudge I needed! Thank you so much for the time you spend on your posts and photos too, it brings me to places I'm not likely to ever be!
:o)
Darice
North Dakota

Unknown said...

Love your starry quilt Helen. The colours are so pretty and the daisy quilting is lovely! :)
happy wheels
super mario bros
pacman
agario

Unknown said...

The article you have shared here very awesome. I really like and appreciated your work. I read deeply your article, the points you have mentioned in this article are useful
Signature:
i like play games happy wheels online and play happy wheels 2 games and zombie tsunami , retrica , retrica camera, happy wheels game , agario

Unknown said...

Thanks for your sharing. We feel very pleased about that. You should also try their best games with our free today to get the sense of fun that brings. Thank you!

Juegos de Matar Zombies
return man 3
fancy pants 3
fancy pants
fancy pants 4
fancy pants 2
fancy pants 5
fancy pants 3 game
fancy pants 3 hacked
fancy pants 3 unblocked
fancy pants adventure 3
fancy pants adventure

Unknown said...

Thanks for providing us this great knowledge, i think i need this. Keep it up.
Signature:
Play atari breakout - From atari breakout game. Using a single ball and the aim is to gain as many points as possible by control the ball against the bricks at game atari breakout