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

Purple Finishes

After joining RSC in 2023 - purple was chosen for April that year - and after making the monthly blocks I had chosen, I decided to make a purple & white/cream quilt.

I got a copy of Quiltmaker May/June 2022 and fell in love with 'Bases Loaded' by Becky Rico (Scroll down to the Green/Cream HST quilt). Why not make one in purple, I thought, and so it happened! 

I had to focus getting it right! lol

Using up as many purple fabrics as possible, I made a pieced backing for this one; 12 blocks + pieces of fabric. It wasn't enough though, I purchased a gorgeous floral hibiscus purple for the back, enough for both quilts.

Closeup of the pieced backing

Binding is Aubergine purple 

'Bases Loaded' measures 63 inches (1.60 m) square

Finished May 13, 2024

UFO #22-1 - UFO list 2025

My goal (previous post) was to finish 'No Name Purple' by January 15.

I did it! 

The last stitch on the binding was done January 12. 

UFO #22-2 - UFO list 2025

The centre is a fabric I bought years ago, just because.... it was pretty! lol It has soft shades of pinkish, purple and teal, truly a beautiful fabric. I had in mind to make a baby quilt, but that didn't happen. It has been one of those 'in-and-out-of-the-shelf' umpteen times. 

It was an easy one to quilt. I did FMQ (free-motion-quilting), loopy swirls, on the centre. All the blocks were quilted in straight seams in the seamlines and inside the triangles. Even if the quilting is easy, it took some days. 

Maybe it's easier to see the quilting on this closeup.

Sashing and border is aubergine purple and binding has a variety of purples.

The back is the same floral hibiscus as 'Bases Loaded'. 

'No Name' measures 54 x 61-1/2 inches (1.37 x 1.56 m)

I can't believe I made a quilt using HSTs only! Me, who has always dreaded HSTs!!! 

My feelings for HSTs IS getting better after doing these quilts! (Don't ask me how many HSTs I have after making RSC blocks for two years!!! lol)

 I didn't keep track of how many hours I spent machine quilting these two, but sure it was some! 

 

UFO under the Needle

 As you already may have noticed (if you read my previous post), my UFOs/WIPs list is long as a freight train! How did that happen, btw?? 

The RSC color for April 2023 was purple. I pulled out all purple yardage, about 12-13 yards. After making the monthly blocks, I decided to make a purple & white/cream quilt. By March 2024, all the blocks for the quilt were done + I made a smaller quilt using up more purple yardage. You can see part of the quilts here. I did quilt and finished the biggest purple quilt (yet to take photos), but not the small one. 

It was thread basted and it has been sitting on my sewing table since last year! I know why; I got tired of detail quilting all the HST in different colors. 

Yesterday I counted 1-2-3!!! Here we go, lets quilt it! lol

I did part of the free motion quilting (the centre) last night, the remaining this morning.

I have started quilting the HST, which takes time. My goal is to get it done by January 15. 

This is UFO #22-2 'No Name Purple'. 

Pin in the Quilt - YIKES!

Finally! A UFO is under the needle!

This quilt was a result of the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023.

I had all those purples I wanted to use and ended up making two purple quilts. 

After the tops were done, both were put away. The main reason I wasn't sure how to quilt them. 

2-3 weeks ago I pulled the tops out from their 'hiding places' and got both sandwiched. The biggest one, the one I'm currently quilting, has a partly pieced backing (to use up more purple). It wasn't enough for the backing (no other fabric in my stash suitable), I did purchase a 108" wide backing, just enough for both quilts. 

To get a pieced backing straight can be a real PITA! 

Fortunate I have a big dinner table turned into my sewing table. I tape part of the backing to the table, mark the center and the four sides. I mark the backing center with a long pin, then add the batting and top. Since I always thread baste quilts before quilting, I have figured out long pins are much better (for me) compared to safety pins to hold the three layers together before thread basting. 

I don't have any photos from the preparation for this quilt. However, I did a blog post some years ago, for another quilt. To get an idea how it works for me. 

I'm very careful to remove all the pins after the quilt is thread basted.

I thought I had removed all pins on this one, but to my surprise and horror (!), the pin in the center of the backing was overseen! Yikes! It was between the batting and backing!

I noticed the pin when I started quilting (I start quilting from the center). Thank goodness I discovered it before the quilting was done at that specific area! 

I had to open up some of the thread basting from one end to the center, put my hand between the backing and batting to get that darn pin out! 

(the photo shows the pin after it was removed from inside the layers).

This quilt seems taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R to quilt! 

I decided on straight seams, which I think suits the quilt. It is made of HST (Half-Square-Triangles) in scrappy white / cream and a variety of purples. All the white /cream is quilted.

 I decided to quilt inside each purple HST! My goodness me! Why did I decide on that?! Because I know it'll look good when it's done! 

Variety of purple Masterpiece and King Tut being used for the HST.

(Sneak peek of the backing).

Threads to be buried by hand, because I don't like the look done on the sewing machine. 

My goal was getting it done by April. That didn't happen! New goal date; middle May! 

 

 

RSC Week 37 - September is Aqua + RSC August was Yellow

 Hello, dear readers and followers! 

Days & weeks seem to keep me busy with other stuff than blogging. The last months have kept me busy making Advent Calendars for my Etsy shop. I've made some new calendars this year and some that sold out last year. I'm almost done! I was not going to make any fall items this year, but ended up making some small items.

In between making Advent Calendars, I've kept up with the RSC, the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

RSC color for September is Aqua. I knew I don't have more then a few aqua. What to do? I figured out I can use a variety of aqua, turquoise and teal. That is how the blocks for the Swirling Stars Quilt were made

The big block

The small blocks

(OOPS! I forgot ironing before taking the photos!)

The RSC color for August was Yellow, and here they are

Big block

The small ones

Now I have all the blocks for the Swirling Stars Quilt, in the following colors: purple, green, blue, pink, orange, red, yellow and aqua/teal/turquoise. 8 big blocks and 16 small blocks. They will be set aside for some time while I'm working on more items for my shop. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC 2023)

RSC Week 30 - End of the RED for July

Hello everyone! Have you missed me? lol 

I can't believe my previous blog post is dated beginning June! Where did those weeks go?! It was not my intention not to blog, it just happened without any particular reason. 

July has kept me busy making Advent Calendars for my Etsy Shop. There are some new calendars this year and some that sold out last year. So far 36 (no, it's not a math mistake!) calendars are done, left to sew binding on some. The pockets can be a bit tedious, but it is mindless sewing and I do love making them. 

Sewing took a break at the beginning of July. DH and I were down with a sort of 'plague'. It may have been Covid or a flu, we didn't bother to get tested. I'm back to normal but DH's coughing is dragging a bit although he is much better. 

Goodbye RSC RED - Welcome the color YELLOW for August! 

July and the color red is at its end. I don't have a big variety of Red either (mostly Christmas reds) - same with orange - but enough to make the blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt. 

Small blocks

What else have I done in red? Not scrappy, but they are red! :) Two Advent Calendars

New Scandi 2023 Makower UK

Festive Magic by CocoGigiDesign for Dashwood Studio 

Backing is red dots on white, from my stash.

This weekend I'll take a break from Advent Calendars and finish up some Halloween / Fall items - she said hopefully! lol 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - RSC

RSC Week 21 - End of the Orange Month

 Goodbye RSC ORANGE - Welcome DARK & BRIGHT BLUES for June! 

I haven't gone through my blue colors for June, not sure what I have. I do have a lot of blues, but dark & bright? 

Well, May and the color orange is nearing its end. I don't have a big variety of orange, just enough to make the blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt

The big block

...and the two small blocks

What to do with the remaining orange? 

Do you remember the '70's, when orange & brown were hot colors? My first sewing machine, a Husqvarna, (not my photo) was orange! I had it for years, until the engine burnt. Going down memory lane together with my dear friend in Norway, who painted his room orange and brown, to his father's despair! LOL 

An idea was born! 

Make a quilt in orange and brown! Moda Marbles' Chocolate Brown 6851 + orange!

I had only about 3/4 yard Chocolate Brown, enough to make 10 blocks, but not enough for a quilt. 

I was pondering what to do next.... I can get more of the brown, but decided against it for now. My goal this year to use fabric from my stash. 

What colors go with orange and brown? I did a search and there are some stunning combinations with blue. Take a look at the batik block above; it has dark blue and turquoise together with orange and a touch of brown. 

Another dive into my Moda Marbles! 

Moda Marbles Steel Blue 9881-25. 

I have about 3/4 yard of this color too, should be enough for 10 blocks - 7 blocks made. Still not enough for a quilt! 

Moda Marbles Slate Blue 9882-13. (I don't think steel blue and slate blue are available anymore?)

Another 3/4 yards, another 10 blocks - 4 blocks made. The slate blue is a bit darker than the photo, a beautiful color. 

I'm not yet sure about the layout, maybe 5 x 6 blocks, 10" blocks. If I go for sashing, what color should that be? Black is almost always 'safe', what about deep olive green? Your opinion, please! 

HAPPY QUILTING!

RSC Week 20 - May is Orange

 Hello everyone! 

Any progress on Orange - the RSC color for May, hosted by Angela over at SOScrappy? 

I'm a bit behind, but will get there eventually. I have been busy finishing the purple quilt top. More about that in another blog post. 

Orange. Orange has never been a favorite color and that is visible in my stash; approximately 4.5 yards.

Some of them may be seen as yellow with orange, like #6 from left. The spots are orange and since I have only a few, I chose to use it as orange. I had already cut the squares when I remembered to take photos. Didn't have much of those two fabrics, turning them into reversible coasters. 

I've cut triangles for the Swirling Star Quilt. One block (big and small) has 14 colors. I have 12 different orange. I would love if I can find 2 more, which I doubt!

Update!!! 

I had totally forgotten the Moda Marbles! Had a look there and found 3 orange! That adds more t0 the yardage; approximately 7 yards. Plan this evening is to make one big and two small blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - RSC 

RSC Week 15 - Purple Progress and a Few Finishes

 It's Saturday again and time for RSC

I completely missed last Saturday and now we are already halfway through April! How did that happen?! Cooler days (beginning 'cold season') although the last days have been HOT and humid with thunderstorms. 

Slow progress on the purples. First I did was to make the blocks for the Swirling Stars quilt 

The small blocks (not very clever to photograph white on white!)

The big block

Do you remember the bunny fabric? 

A little purple here too and part of the bunny stripes has become placemats, mug rug and tea cozy. I used Moda Marbles 'Iris' for the binding, just enough for these items. 

Set of 6 placemats

Mug rug

Insulated tea cozy, same both sides

When I purchase fabric (from the US) I usually add one or two quilt magazines. What caught my eyes was Quiltmaker's cover photo in the May/June '22 edition; the blue and white coffee cup quilt, hence I bought the magazine. Don't you love quilt magazines? I do! What's better to snuggle up on the sofa enjoying a cuppa and reading a magazine? I love that! 

So, now you may believe this is the quilt I chose for the purple? Nope! I chose 'Bases Loaded' by Becky Rico (scroll down to the green / cream HST quilt). I thought that would make a nice purple and white/cream scrap quilt, using up some white/cream scraps too.

I have 5 blocks (16 inches finished), and a little helper today! I realized there are some purples I won't have enough and I don't want to end up with several HSTs in the same fabric for the last blocks. I ordered a charm pack with a variety of purples, should get it in about two weeks. I needed thread to finish binding on a few pink items too. The thread I have is not even close to matching.  

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge RSC

RSC Week 12 - GREEN Flimsy and Pieced Backing

 It has been another busy GREEN week. 

My goal this month has been to use as much green fabric from my stash as possible, and I think I have succeeded, IMO. Last week I had made 48 scrappy Churn Dash blocks for the green scrappy quilt and made a couple of crumb blocks for the pieced backing (here). 

A flimsy!!!

To get a better variety of green, I pulled out what I had of 5" squares in green. Not that it was that many, but fabric used is a good thing, isn't it? :) 

It didn't take long piecing together the blocks. What took time was the pieced backing. Quite some brainwork getting the pieces to fit. 

I'm happy to say lots of bits, pieces and 'ugly' green have gone into the backing. 

The batting was delivered yesterday, guess what I'm going to do next week!

 The crumb blocks are made from 'table scraps'.

Together with the batting I got yesterday, I also got thread to finish more items; trivets and placemats (previous post). Please note I DID NOT buy anything I didn't need, EXCEPT two quilt magazines! LOL  Did I need the magazines?? Yes, for inspiration! :) 

Did you notice I haven't said anything about the weather? It did improve and this week we have had some sunny days and 'of course' hot and way too humid for me. We are heading towards the 'cold' season and the nights and slightly cooler, which is a good sign! 

Our coffee trees (we have four trees) are thriving in the hot and humid weather condition, lots of coffee beans (actually coffee berries) this season. 

Linking up with Angela over at SOS Scrappy  and the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023

RSC Week 11 - Green Updates

Another GREEN week, inside as well as outside. 

It has been raining and Friday at around midnight we had a spectacular thunderstorm that lasted about 2-3 hours. Some fishermen were interviewed on the news, they said they'd never experienced such a heavy thunderstorm. 

March is the Green month. RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) hosted by Angela over at SOS Scrappy.

Rainy days and what is better than stay inside playing with stash?!

I have finished the 48 Churn Dash blocks for the boy's quilt. 

Churn Dash blocks are fun and quite fast to make. 

Some leftover pieces I plan to use for a pieced backing

Table scraps turned into big crumb block!  

... and a small one! The crumb blocks are for the backing too. 

Some rectangles I didn't need for the Churn Dash blocks

I turned them into a small table topper 

...and a smaller one, all batiks. I love these greens, 'sour' greens, as I call these bright green colors. 

A pillow cover top for my friend in Norway, it has two different greens.

More green emerged from the shelf! It's going to be some round placemats for my shop. 

...and outside; avocados from the tree! 

Linking up with Angela and RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge