1 Down - 83 to Go

It has been a fortnight since I posted a progress report on my Bali Wedding Star Quilt, so I thought it may be an idea to fill in any that are interested on where I am up to.

I have had lots of paper to sort through, cut apart and file away into numbered bags so I can have everything on hand when the instructions call for them.

I have cut and cross cut what seems like bolts of fabric.
And glued (yes GLUE) and pinned and sewn and trimmed.
Even did a little un-sewing as well.

Until I had a mountain of these!
These odd shaped pieces are the start of my Star points that 'float' across the background fabric.

Straying (once again) from the suggested pattern, my Stars will only have TWO contrast colours not the suggested 8.

And now that they are finished it is onwards to make the smaller Star Points (referred to as the Melon Stars).

This time I will be teaming up a Deep Mid Blue Batik with the Black contrast.
It is not a true black but more like an Inky Blue/Green, it has a bit more 'life' to it than a flat black.

Will it all work together?
I don't know yet.
I have done ONE - and there are 83 to go!

Have I lost my Mind?

The minute I saw it I just HAD to have it!

It is the Quilt design I have had on my Wish List for a very long time.

It is the PERFECT design for my DS#2.
I knew exactly what colours to choose to achieve the 'look' I want.

But I had to wait ....

.... wait for the ladies from the NSLQS to learn how to make it - so they can guide me on my way.

I have chosen my fabrics - many are from the beautiful Stonehenge Range by Northcott Fabrics.

Last Wednesday I started what is to be a Technique of the Month and received my first installment of fabric and pattern instructions.

OK - so I have to confess - FUSSY CUTTING the first pieces of this quilt was NOT in the instructions, but when you choose a fabric that cries out for it - you just have to give in.

Curious yet?

Have I lost my mind? 

Maybe I need a COMPASS to help me find it!

Judy Niemeyer's 

Mariner's Compass

One single Compass 69"x 69"

Part One finished.

Looking forward to Part Two.

Bali Wedding Star - The Next Step

It was good to catch up with my new friends at the NSLQS (Not-so-local quilt store) and be given some pointers for the next Section of my Bali Wedding Star. It is not a class as such but a place where you can go and learn the finer points of Foundation Piecing. We just happen to be working on several of Judy Niemeyer's Quilt designs.

Now if there is a "Tool for the Job" it is usually worth getting one and I was fortunate to be lent the set of Perspex Templates for this quilt by one of the other ladies who has finished with hers for the time being ...

Oh WOW how much easier it was to trim the arcs to shape and also cut the Melon sections apart from my background fabric!

I am not working from a Kit so I still need to choose the colours that will make up the cornerstones that join the rings. And I will need to be patient and not sew them on yet - this is done much later in the process.

So this week I think I have everything prepped and ready to start chain piecing the 'Stars' together.

I overheard this comment to a new student...
"Yes it is a LOT of preparation, but when you get to sew - it is plain sailing."  Oh - I do hope so!

In the meantime - I am getting a little distracted by the sight of all those offcuts! My heart skipped a beat when I spied some especially beautiful and very usable ones heading for the bin the other day (I wanted to dive in after them!).

I am trying VERY HARD to resist the temptation of starting another Applique Quilt to use them all.
Or heaven forbid - I found myself researching Crumb Quilts the other day!!!!

Quilting is not a cheap hobby (especially in Australia, where fabrics often cost TWICE what they do in the US) so before you throw them out .... Don't forget that those offcuts/scraps have cost you the same amount as the fabrics you have used in your quilt!"

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Footnote:
If anyone would like to ask specific questions about my adventure with this quilt - email me privately via the "Contact Me" link on my profile.
Alternatively Quiltworks have placed many excellent explanatory videos on Utube - Just Google "Bali Wedding Quilt" and hit Videos