Swirling Stars - An RSC Finish

Swirling Stars (UFO #11) has moved from my UFOs/WIPs list to Finished UFOs. 

My goal was to finish it by end of February. That didn't happen due to delayed thread order.

The thread was finally delivered on March 25!

It took me some time to decide how to quilt this one. Simple FMQ (Free-Motion-Quilting) is the easiest and fastest, but it doesn't always 'fit' a quilt.

For this one, I went for custom quilting each block. I didn't have a plan fully in my head when I started, it was like 'quilt it as you go and see what happens' on the first big block. I liked how the first block turned out, but knew it would take some hours quilting all the blocks. 

All straight seams, 3/4" in between each seam. 

The small HSTs are outlined.

I don't remember when I purchased this 108" wide backing. I find it perfect for this colorful quilt. 

The binding is red and white gingham.

Finished size: Approximately 67 x 89 inches / 170 x 226 cm

First block made: January 2023

Flimsy: January 27, 2026 

Started quilting: Beginning February 2026

Finished: March 27, 2026

Hours of machine quilting + burying thread tails: 115 hours

Thread used: 

King Tut: 902, 911, 942, 955, 956, 959, 997, 990, 1001, 1018, 1029, 1034.

MasterPiece: 152 (bobbin thread)

Free PDF pattern from FQS

A Squirrel popped in and... / BOM June 2026

...decided what I should do with some of my accumulated 2" squares:

SCRAPPY IRISH CHAIN!

I've been looking for the 'perfect' pattern to use 2" squares. I've always loved Irish Chain quilts and when I came across this pattern, I knew this is the one I want to make!

The pattern uses 2.5" squares and the finished size is 90" (2.28 meters). Since I'm using 2" squares, it will be smaller, approximately 68" (1.73 meters). That is IF my math is right! 

Block A

81-patches block! 

I didn't like the negative space in block B, and not the big rectangle in the center (pattern). Of course, that is an easy way to make the block, especially if pretty quilting is involved. 

I prefer to make it scrappy, using a variation of white / neutrals and a PLUS block in the center. 

(I'm running out of white / neutrals, more is on the way).  

Here is the box with 2" squares from swaps only 

Do you see the '6600 dated April 8, 2017' (blue sticker)?

That is how many squares that box (laptop box) contained at that date! 

Each zipper bag has 100 squares. Some squares are already used and there are quite some left (not sure how many).

I prefer to sort the squares on colors before I start sewing scrappy blocks

Layout for one block A; 81-patches

These two boxes contain my own cut 2" squares

They do not include 2" Christmas prints, which I have a lot of as well! 

...and 13 16-patches happened too (all from swaps)

A Quilting Life's BOM 2026 - June

I'm not that happy with this one, but may let it go as it is. I shall see when all blocks are done. Had it looked better if the background for the star had been white, and the white had been the red?? Maybe not??

I'm happy to say 'Got the Blues' is quilted! It went faster than I anticipated. 

I went through all my blue stash (not much left). I didn't find anything suitable for binding; either not enough, or not dark enough. I did a big SIGH and ordered dark blue for the binding! I also ordered a few more of the Parlor fabrics I didn't have. 

 

Wanderer's Wife / Parlor / Birthday

My birthday was last week! 

...and since I have been a good girl not purchasing unnecessary fabric so far this year, I allowed myself some new fabric for a specific quilt.

I'd better start from the beginning, right?

I purchased Jen Kingwell's booklet 'Wanderers Wife'. (Former Gypsy Wife) end of November 2019! 

Why I bought it? I got drawn to the design, scrappiness and colors. The booklet has been sitting on the shelf since then, in wait for the 'perfect' fabrics. I wanted something special and a bit outside my comfort zone (I'm bored to tears with my current stash!). Going through my fabric stash, I found most of it rather boring and nothing looked like it would fit this quilt. 

I had almost forgotten about it, when these fabrics - Parlor - (Chrystal Manning) were announced to be 'coming soon'. It was like YAY!!!! These are the fabrics for this quilt! The wait was looong; about 3 months before it was shipped from the warehouse. Even if the colors are (were!) outside my comfort zone, I do love them! They look so yummy! Can you hear my excitement?! lol

There are a few prints still available that I don't have, I'd better get them before they are sold out. I don't think what I have is enough for the quilt.

I see there's a new fabric line; 'Sitara' (Chrystal Manning) that will be available in September. It looks like the design & colors may go together with 'Parlor'.

I'm seeew excited about this one, I'm almost out of breath! 

But first of all; there's at least one UFO I have to complete!