this quilt top sat unquilted for at least a year. this one was NOT neglected because i was feeling meh about it. on the contrary, i’ve had a special spot in my heart for this little star quilt since i made it. i think i was just saving it for something special, and then then finally i decided this January that it was time to finish it up!
it’s made mostly from Anna Maria Horner fabrics, although there are definitely some others sprinkled throughout. you can use this tutorial to make wonky stars like this. only difference is that i made mine smaller. i think i cut my individual squares to 3.5″. That would make your star block somewhere around 8.5″.
it’s machine quilted around the blocks, and then hand quilted around each star. i’ve done this before, and really like it. first do the machine quilting to stabilize the whole thing. i actually did the binding at the same time, and then just did the hand quilting later.
i tried something new on the back of this one – double gauze! I’d bought this one piece thinking it might make a soft quilt back but not sure of the durability. i finally tried it here and can’t see any issues so far. seems like it will hold up nicely and is so very soft. double gauze is two thin layers of gauze kinda ‘bonded’ together, so it’s thick, yet airy. i got mine here.
i also tried something different with the binding. i first sewed the binding to the back, then stitched it to the front with a decorative zigzag. you can read a full tutorial on Rachel’s blog.
This is adorable! Love the hand-stitching around the stars, such a nice combination of quick/convenient machine quilting with that unbeatable hand-quilted touch. Will definitely copy you some day!
Oh, this is so beautiful! I really love this wonky stars und want to make myself a quilt with this pattern, someday (…). But what I like most are (again) your colour choices. I always think in tone-in-tone ways and would never come up with something vibrant like this.
That is one beautiful little quilt…..may just have to make one myself.
I really love your quilt. I have seen a few similar and really liked them too. I really must make a quilt like this too.
I love the quilt, and the binding looks great!
LOVE, just love it! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
I've been in love with this kind of star for months and kept trying to see how it would work out in my head. This really really helps!!
What a stunning quilt! I think you just may have convinced me finally to have a go at hand quilting!! The idea of machine quilting first, and even binding, has made me feel a whole lot more secure about giving it a go, knowing that the quilt is already fastened together.
It's beautiful, Jolene. Love the two kinds of quilting, such a fun idea, and the stars, of course, so adorably sweet.
It's wonderful and I love the addition of the hand quilting : )
This is SO beautiful!
Your star quilt it lovely and ecclectic. I love the hand quilting around each star it as a home made rustic look, just beautiful.
Just love it! Its the best quilt I've seen in a while around blog land. Thumbs up!
Gorgeous!
Wow – this is a beautiful quilt with all my favourite fabrics in it looking perfect as wonky stars. Stunning.
i love this…quilt of the week….no month, for me x
Hello: I like very much your blankets are made in the most traditional possible, has a touch of real working hands, I can not explain because I do not speak English and a translator. Uqe The point is there are lots of beautiful patchwork blankets for the world, large professional artists, there are books, tutorials, blogs. websites, millions of fabrics to buy an entire universe that makes the seam for amateur and addicted to patchwork.
But I write because your quilts really are the best, I like the bladed fabrics and I must say that your hands really give that perfect finishing touch to my view completely finished blanket machine is not a blanket craft, I love that hand finishing!! that where the needle entered quilting led by our hand, and guided by our hearts. A honey from Argentina Vero
Beautiful quilt and love the yellow backing. Thanks for link to wonky stars patterns.
Love Leanne
O… that green. So lovely! Does something for my eyes 🙂 Gorgeous quilt, again.
What a gorgeous quilt! Sounds like you've had great fun experimenting with new ideas – like the machine ditching and hand outlining for the quilting.
I like it a lot, too. I like the AMH fabrics in small doses. I like the stars. I like the colourful background of the stars. I like how cheery the quilt is. The quilt would be something for my daughter (and for me, too. 🙂 ). I'm currently making wonky stars, too. But only for a pillow. Makes me wish I had chosen a print for the background, too.
This quilt is beautiful. I never thought to mix hand quilting with machine quilting – i always do one or the other – but i makes a lot of sense to do both! Love the colors and the stars!
looks absolutely gorgeous! The simplicity of the stars with beautiful fabric. And hand quilting, yum, just adds such a beautiful warmth to it.
I love your courageous fabric selection for the little stars quilt! What is AMH?
AMH is Anna Maria Horner, a fabric designer 🙂
WILL IT BE FOR SALE?
Yes, it will! As soon as I get a chance to put it on Etsy.
I adore everything about your quilt, from the fabrics you used, the combination of machine and hand quilting, your backing fabric and the nifty way you did your binding… truly lovely!
OH MY THIS IS SIMPLY STUNNING, I had to call my husband over to the monitor to show him a beautiful work, absolutely! I want one for myself!
Fi
I love it!
it's beautiful
Love, love, love it! The colors (you have make great color choices) & the texture. It looks so huggable! Can I ask you 2 questions? Maybe others are wondering too: what kind of batting do you use? And how do you achieve that lived-in look, do you wash the quilt after you have finished it and put it in the dryer? Thanks in advance.
The batting used in this quilt is Hobbs 100% cotton. Most any cotton batting will have a similiar look. I also sometimes use 80/20 (80% cotton and 20% poly) I like this because it's just slightly puffier, but still basically a cotton batting.
Yes, the lived in look comes from being washed and dried. My philosphy is that a quilt is not complete till it's taken a trip through the washer and dryer!
This is super sweet. I have been wanting to use a double gauze in my quilts for a while now and always wonder about the durability. I've heard it that as long as it is cared for and washed with a bit of care, it's fine and oooh so soft. I love the way you've used it for a backing. What a treat to cozy up with!
This is a gorgeous quilt. I'm in love 🙂 I'm making progess on mine and I have been debating on how to quilt it. I love how yours looks. I might have to try to do the same on mine, if I ever finish it! Thank you for sharing.
I have never combined machine and hand quilting, but it makes plenty of sense. It's especially perfect for "odd" shapes like stars. What a lovely finish! Thanks for the link love. How did you feel about finishing a binding this way?
This is so beautiful! I love how you used patterned fabric for the background too.
Your star quilt is so beautiful! I made this quilt too and now I know – I should be more courageous with choice of colors and prints. Your quilts is really great!
Jolana
I just love it!
It's beautiful, and I absolutely love the quilting. You have made such a good job of this one, you really have.
Wunderschön! Wirklich wunderschön und sehr inspirierend.. Schönen Gruss von Lilu-Cosmee
Love this quilt and am so interested in the double-gauze backing. Since a little time has passed, can you update on how it is holding up with use? I am soon making my first grandchild's baby quilt and want it to be perfect. Normally I do not wash any of my fabrics before piecing. Concerned about the gauze and cotton on quilt top shrinking at noticeably different rates. Is this anything to worry about? Thanks for your advice.