Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

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Antique Star Progress

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Since I am house bound with this silly head cold, I took advantage of the down time and sat up in my sewing room for a few hours making Antique Star blocks. Doesn't it make a difference to place them on the diagonal?  I do love the look of a diagonal set quilt.  Observe that there are actually two different color placements in the star blocks. One has a dark star on a light background and the other one has a light star on a dark background.  The cool thing about the layout of these blocks is that it is quite random.  No worries if you have three dark blocks in a row, or light background blocks touching.

The colors and patterns of the fabrics I am using are working together in such a pleasing manner to my eye anyway.  Do you notice that the bigger red prints end up looking diffused and more pink than red?  And those really light tan blocks with hardly any contrast?  The ones that look like nothing special, that you are probably thinking "Why is she including those blah things?"

Mark my words, when this quilt is put together, those light blocks that practically disappear into the mix of things are going to make your eye travel here and there and all over the quilt top.  They will be my Sparkle Factor, something from which I believe every quilt benefits.

We will have to wait and see if I am right, but I think I am onto something!

 

30 responses to “Antique Star Progress”

  3. Wonderful blocks in wonderful colors and prints! I like the diagonal setting because it makes the stars look like Evening Stars rather than the Ohio Stars they are. I love your idea of the “sparkle factor”, too!
    Well done that you managed to sew despite your head code! Hope you’re feeling better.
    I’m cutting light blue fabrics for HSTs today.
    Hugs!

  4. Wonderful blocks in wonderful colors and prints! I like the diagonal setting because it makes the stars look like Evening Stars rather than the Ohio Stars they are. I love your idea of the “sparkle factor”, too!
    Well done that you managed to sew despite your head code! Hope you’re feeling better.
    I’m cutting light blue fabrics for HSTs today.
    Hugs!

  5. It is fascinating how one has to be told about the two kinds of star blocks. If you look at antique quilts, there are always “fading” blocks, like the light ones you are making. Variety of values makes a huge difference between a “blah” quilt and a spectacular one, as you have figured out!

  6. It is fascinating how one has to be told about the two kinds of star blocks. If you look at antique quilts, there are always “fading” blocks, like the light ones you are making. Variety of values makes a huge difference between a “blah” quilt and a spectacular one, as you have figured out!

  7. It’s beautiful! I love blocks placed on point. It makes a simple 4 patch look stunning. ;p
    I can’t sew when I’m sick…I make too many mistakes. ;p
    Get well soon.

  8. It’s beautiful! I love blocks placed on point. It makes a simple 4 patch look stunning. ;p
    I can’t sew when I’m sick…I make too many mistakes. ;p
    Get well soon.

  17. I love it. I like how some darks are together. Not light and dark alternating. I really like the look.

  18. I love it. I like how some darks are together. Not light and dark alternating. I really like the look.

  19. Love all your blocks! The color combos are very pleasing, hope you feel better soon 🙂

  20. Love all your blocks! The color combos are very pleasing, hope you feel better soon 🙂

  23. Lovely quilt in the making Nicole. Always love to see what you are up to. Sorry about the cold, hope you feel better quickly. I like your organization effort. Sometimes getting organized is part of a hobby. I recently got involved with our guild’s comfort quilt making. I brought home finished quilts, bags of partially made quilts, bags of fabric to organize for future quilts. I am almost under water with fabric. Am curious about the size of the comic book holders. If I use them, will they fit in an average size tub, file-folder style??

  24. Lovely quilt in the making Nicole. Always love to see what you are up to. Sorry about the cold, hope you feel better quickly. I like your organization effort. Sometimes getting organized is part of a hobby. I recently got involved with our guild’s comfort quilt making. I brought home finished quilts, bags of partially made quilts, bags of fabric to organize for future quilts. I am almost under water with fabric. Am curious about the size of the comic book holders. If I use them, will they fit in an average size tub, file-folder style??

  25. For someone feeling cruddy, your analysis is quite profound. I totally agree with you that the on-point layout gives your stars a chance to look their best. I also get what you are saying about the “blah” stars with little contrast being the very same stars that will give the entire quilt it’s sparkle factor when complete. Low contrast colors are just as important as the high contrast/color blocks when it comes to the overall look of a quilt.
    Hope the snuffles are over soon & I hope everyone remembers to get your flu shot soon. Lots of people don’t think it is important but, there are lots of older people, people with immune problems, infants and small children who you can make very ill. Even if you don’t get the flu, you can spread it to many people who can’t fight it off. I know you have a cold & not the flu, but thanks for letting me give a PSA.

  26. For someone feeling cruddy, your analysis is quite profound. I totally agree with you that the on-point layout gives your stars a chance to look their best. I also get what you are saying about the “blah” stars with little contrast being the very same stars that will give the entire quilt it’s sparkle factor when complete. Low contrast colors are just as important as the high contrast/color blocks when it comes to the overall look of a quilt.
    Hope the snuffles are over soon & I hope everyone remembers to get your flu shot soon. Lots of people don’t think it is important but, there are lots of older people, people with immune problems, infants and small children who you can make very ill. Even if you don’t get the flu, you can spread it to many people who can’t fight it off. I know you have a cold & not the flu, but thanks for letting me give a PSA.

  27. Nice Stars Nicole Still no quilting for me yet I asked you for your new Address but you did not email it Please send it to me Hope you are Better Soon.Hugs Mary.xx

  28. Nice Stars Nicole Still no quilting for me yet I asked you for your new Address but you did not email it Please send it to me Hope you are Better Soon.Hugs Mary.xx

  29. Hope you feel much better soon Nicole.
    You do better in the sewing room with a head cold than most do on a good day 😉
    Can’t wait to see this one come together. Lovin’ the blocks set on the diagonal.

  30. Hope you feel much better soon Nicole.
    You do better in the sewing room with a head cold than most do on a good day 😉
    Can’t wait to see this one come together. Lovin’ the blocks set on the diagonal.