Saturday, October 12, 2013

Star Struck...

Confession time: I have a closet full of quilt tops still waiting to be quilted.  (Please tell me I'm not the only one!)  There are at least 20, maybe 25 in there of all different sizes.  In an effort to some day empty that closet, I pulled out one of those tops and finished it last week.  I'm calling this one Star Struck.


This quilt is actually one of the first ones I ever made so it's probably 7 or 8 years old.  I remember the pattern came from WalMart.  It was hanging in their fabric section along with all the fabric to make it.  I bought so much of it, I know I made at least 2 quilts from it.  The fabric is rather rough and my points are occasionally cut off, but I'll always remember how much fun I had making it.


I don't know if it was because of the fabric or what, but I had a lot of trouble quilting this.  My thread kept breaking, then I had a problem with skipped stitches.  It was one thing after another.  I ended up changing the needle 3 times and still had to make a couple of fixes after I pulled it off the frame.  I used the Climber pantograph on it which is usually a quick and fun one to use.


I washed the quilt (with lots of fabric softener) as soon as I finished it and I'm pleased to say it softened up quite a bit.  I think after a few more washes it will get that nice, wrap around you, softness to it.  And I don't mind the chopped off points in it either.  It's just a reminder of the great time I had when I started quilting (and continue to have today).

So, to sum it up:
  • Size: 46" square
  • Fabrics: from WalMart
  • Batting: Warm & White
  • Thread: Superior Threads So Fine #401 to quilt
  • Pattern: mystery pattern from WalMart
  • Quilting: Climber pantograph by Meredith England from Sweet & Simple Pantographs
  • Completed: October 2013


My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. 
Proverbs 23:19 (NLT)   


10 comments:

  1. It looks great Dee! I did a few of those WM quilts when I started too... and they aren't quilted either! :-o LOL I guess you aren't the only one. ;-) When my machine gives me tension problems right off the bat, besides changing the needle, I turn it off for a little bit. Sometimes something doesn't seem to 'load' right and turning it off and then back on sets everything right. Happy weekend!

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  2. This is so pretty! I think it is important to keep and love and use those first, early quilts! They contain the joy in discovering a new loved activity. There is just nothing else like it, (at least to me.) I'm not sure what your fabric was like, but I've had trouble quilting some of the "white on white/cream on cream" fabrics. The printing seems a bit plastic-y and doesn't like to quilt.

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  3. Great job on the finish. When I first started quilting I was drawn to those same colors.. and they came from Walmart as well. I think a lot of us started at Walmart... how times change. :)

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  4. Looks great! I love that star pattern! Any idea what that block is called?

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  5. For an old quilt this is still a beauty. I have a few UFOs that are so hideous that I'm not sure I can ever finish them.

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  6. Another lovely job Dee. Keep at it. It is so nice to see these projects of yours from before I joined our Bee.

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  7. Another lovely job Dee. Keep at it. It is so nice to see these projects of yours from before I joined our Bee.

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  8. I have noticed the same issue with Wal-Mart fabric. It is just not quilt store quality! That is a nice pattern.

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  9. What a nice pattern! I like the colors a lot too!

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