Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Lonestar Circle Mini

When I first started blogging and participating in the quilting and sewing community on Flickr, I signed up for so many swaps. I spent almost two years sewing up mini quilts, pouches, pot holders, mug rugs and hoops for other people. Some of my very best and most creative work went out the front door and into the homes of other sewists. Swapping was super fun and I met some of my closest online friends that way, but I started feeling a little sad about some of the great work I sent away that I'd never see again.  I decided to take a break and only do occasional swaps with friends.

Mini QT March swap made for lmdesigns Potholder Pass 3 'cooking' 452 Poppyprint - mugrug pears 3 birdhouse fence wool mini by Poppyprint Time For Fabric Hoop by Poppyprint
Just a few of the swap items that I sent off to partners over the past 5 years.

Then Instagram took off like crazy and, similar to Flickr, communities started up through swapping again. I felt ready to jump back in and signed up for Kristi's Schnitzel and Boo Miniquilt Swap (search the hashtags #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap OR #makeaquiltmakeafriend if you want to check out the quilts on IG). Round Two is just shipping now and there are 1000 participants!  It is exciting to be a part of something so huge - I even signed up to be a swap mama to help ensure that this massive swap was a success.  Each mama has about 40 swappers to monitor and I'm super lucky because all 38 of my swappers are 100% committed to seeing the swap through. Phew!

So, what would I make for my secret partner? With my book, Make It, Take It coming out in a month's time, I wanted to try a mini-version of one of the patterns.  Lynne designed this incredible Lone Star Circle quilt for the book and used Oakshott shot cottons to make it.

Martingale - Make It, Take It
Photo from Make It, Take It by Brent Kane, Martingale 2014

A lonestar quilt has long been on my "to try" list and this complete circle version is so eye-catching I knew it was a must.  In Lynne's pattern, the strips are cut 3 1/2".  I made a 1/3-sized version by cutting 1 1/2" strips from fat quarters (the finished mini is just under 18" square).  There is something about radiating designs; they seem to be universally loved by quilters.  Is it the symmetry? The eye-catching points?  I can't quite put my finger on it, but this little honey got more likes on IG than anything else I've ever posted!

Lonestar Circle Mini by Poppyprint
All seams are pressed open on this mini, except for the two vertical seams that meet in the middle for the final horizontal joining seam (between the two half circles). I pressed those in opposite directions so I could lock the allowances and achieve a perfect pointy centre star!

The background is Essex yarn-dyed linen in flax, and the finished quilt measures 18" square.  My swap partner seems to like radiating designs (based on her inspiration mosaic) and although this fabric wasn't mentioned in her favourite designers list, I hope the universal appeal of Cotton & Steel will make this okay for her.  I don't have any fabrics by one designer she listed and I'm going to send her the 2 fat quarters I have from her other favourite designer as extras.

Lonestar Circle Mini by Poppyprint

Lonestar Circle Mini by Poppyprint

I simply quilted with straight lines and a longer stitch length (3.5 stitches/inch) using Aurifil 30 wt cotton thread in hot pink and teal to match the centre star prints.  I will freely admit that after doing so much improvisational sewing last fall, pin-matching all of those points nearly drove me bananas, but the effort is well worth the results!  In the book, I explain how to correctly pin-match angled seams so that you end up with perfectly pointy-points.

Lonestar Circle Mini by Poppyprint

Throughout the year I'll be making up my own versions of the contributor projects from Make It, Take It. I can't wait to share more of this book with you!  Of course there will be a blog tour (watch for that in April).  For now, set your calendar alarms for February 10th: that's the day you'll be able to order the book from  Martingale's  online shop. The bonus is that when you buy a hard copy direct from the publisher, you automatically receive a FREE digital copy, so you can take the book along on retreat or to your sew-ins on your tablet or laptop! Yay!


24 comments:

felicity said...

Well this is completely awesome. I've done some of my best work for swaps, too - funny how that is!

Krista said...

Whoa! This is amazing! Good for you for getting back into the swap pool. I am still not ready, but miss that part of being in a group and anticipating when people receive their mail!

Amy Friend said...

Beautifully done! It's fun to see the first book project pop up too! I look forward to seeing more.

Canadian Abroad said...

I can totally understand why this got so many likes. It is perfection. Not that anything else you make is less than perfect of course!

Dianne said...

I have no idea how you can part with this!!! Of course that is true of the other swap items you've created as well :0)
Lucky swap partner you have - indeed.

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

It's just gorgeous, Krista, Well done. I would struggle to give this away!

Katie B said...

Too much awesome!

Debbie said...

This is really lovely! Can't wait to see more from your book!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

This is really pretty K

Live a Colorful Life said...

Really beautiful!!

myBearpaw said...

Love your mini! And Lynne's amazing quilt- what a great idea to make a lone star round!! Genius as usual from Lynne. It's funny because I am working on my first Lone Star quilt and everyone else seems to be making one at the same time!!! I remember your amazing gypsy clock! I was in the same swap - happy days!

Elsa said...

Oh, I do love this star and the fabric is perfect!
Just took look at your new book (so exciting) and all the projects are so fab! Looking forward to February!

LethargicLass said...

I love this SO much!!

Within A Quarter Inch said...

Incredibly awesome! What's your trick for matching at those seams? Especially since they are pressed open. ��������������

Anonymous said...

one word - Wow!

Silvana Gonzalez said...

Que bello trabajo! !!

Leanne said...

I love them both, your mini and Lynne's quilt. Your partner is very lucky!

Anonymous said...

Who wouldn't love this? Awesome little star.

Sandi said...

So fabulous! I wish I could have seen this one in "real life"!
Sandi

Lysa said...

That is really outstanding Krista!

Terry Aske Art Quilts said...

I love Lone Star quilts - and yours is fabulous - great fabric choices, and the quilting is perfect!

Fiddlehead Quiltz said...

Amazing quilt! I love the colours, simply gorgeous!

Katy Cameron said...

I'm insanely jealous of your partner, just thought I'd mention that ;o)

Barb said...

It's the childhood kaleidoscope i played with ..love it Krista.