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.

Stargazer Going Down

92913713[1]

I am just so frustrated.  All my lovely red star blocks that I made do not work what-so-ever with the rest of the quilt!  What was I thinking?  My inspiration was a pattern in a 2007 American Patchwork and Quilting magazine.  Heritage Stars was the name of the pattern.  It is a Homestead hearth design.

003

You will notice the center medallion.  Focus fabric is a blue floral with reds and creams.  This is the fabric I chose for my center medallion.  Not a red in sight.

004

No red.  The blue, caramel and chocolate blocks work great.  Not the reds.

005

006

Again–what was I thinking?

So, the question is, what do I do now?  I do not have enough of the Allspice Tapestry browns and caramels to make more blocks.  Blues I have, but not the others.  Do I beg and plead with you, my readers, to sell me any small pieces of Allspice Tapestry browns and carmels you may have in your stash?  I am not above asking–the Internet has nothing in all the searches I have done.

Or, shall I completely shift gears and purchase more reds from compatible Fig Tree groups such as Patisserie, Gypsy Rose etc, and make a red version of this quilt?  And pack up the blues, browns and caramels?

Or, do I bag the whole project and write it off as a complete waste of time?  I have put in so many hours of sewing on this silly project.  Why didn't I buy the kit when it was offered in the magazine in 2007?  I could have had the exact fabrics that were shown in the magazine.

   

 

  

74 responses to “Stargazer Going Down”

  1. I would not give up on the project. I think I would either purchase reds from the other Fig Tree Groups or continue searching for more Allspice Tapestry. I did a quick search of my own on Quiltshops.com and a 2 or 3 pages of Allspice Tapestry came up, but don’t know if it was colors you were looking for…

  2. I would not give up on the project. I think I would either purchase reds from the other Fig Tree Groups or continue searching for more Allspice Tapestry. I did a quick search of my own on Quiltshops.com and a 2 or 3 pages of Allspice Tapestry came up, but don’t know if it was colors you were looking for…

  3. I think it is the burgundy red in the large star that is the bug a boo. In your post yesterday, the star blocks all look good. I say do a new center… Is that possible? Good luck :).

  4. I think it is the burgundy red in the large star that is the bug a boo. In your post yesterday, the star blocks all look good. I say do a new center… Is that possible? Good luck :).

  5. There’s no reason to pack anything up. I’d take the corners and the beige sashing off the center medallion block and replace them with a fabric that has beige, blue, and RED in it. That way, you’ve incorporated red into the center and the red star blocks will work.

  6. There’s no reason to pack anything up. I’d take the corners and the beige sashing off the center medallion block and replace them with a fabric that has beige, blue, and RED in it. That way, you’ve incorporated red into the center and the red star blocks will work.

  7. My thought too would be to change up the center. I like how all your smaller stars work together. I have to cut a couple of borders from some Allspice fabric, and then I would be willing to share what I have. I know that there is a beige background fabric and then the reddish-orange floral for the large border. Could even send a couple of pics for you to see.

  8. My thought too would be to change up the center. I like how all your smaller stars work together. I have to cut a couple of borders from some Allspice fabric, and then I would be willing to share what I have. I know that there is a beige background fabric and then the reddish-orange floral for the large border. Could even send a couple of pics for you to see.

  9. It’s never a waste of time…you can go with either one and use the other for a table runner or napkins or a wall hanging. If you need anywhere to “get rid of it,” I’m sure you can count any one of us, or Sara to smile at the thought! It’s all beautiful.

  10. It’s never a waste of time…you can go with either one and use the other for a table runner or napkins or a wall hanging. If you need anywhere to “get rid of it,” I’m sure you can count any one of us, or Sara to smile at the thought! It’s all beautiful.

  11. If you have to change it, change a bit of the center. It is going to look fabulous and with all those stars going on, it won’t matter, anyway, imo.

  12. If you have to change it, change a bit of the center. It is going to look fabulous and with all those stars going on, it won’t matter, anyway, imo.

  13. I would make a new centre if possible. I don’t have one inch of any of those fabbies but I would send you the whole lot if I did! I know that doesn’t help but I just wanted you to know that it’s okay to ask!:)

  14. I would make a new centre if possible. I don’t have one inch of any of those fabbies but I would send you the whole lot if I did! I know that doesn’t help but I just wanted you to know that it’s okay to ask!:)

  15. Yes, I agree the red/orange color of the center star is throwng it off. I’m not also excited about the gold surrounding it either, but that’s just me. I soo love all the small blocks. They’re awesome. I just finished the top for a throw out of this line that I’ve been hoarding for about 3 yrs. I did find a bunch of Allspice fabric on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=allspice+tapestry&search_type=supplies&ref=auto
    Also, I have about a 3 yard piece of blue similar to the 8th photo from left to right, but instead of the color shown, mine is the dull blue colorway.

  16. Yes, I agree the red/orange color of the center star is throwng it off. I’m not also excited about the gold surrounding it either, but that’s just me. I soo love all the small blocks. They’re awesome. I just finished the top for a throw out of this line that I’ve been hoarding for about 3 yrs. I did find a bunch of Allspice fabric on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=allspice+tapestry&search_type=supplies&ref=auto
    Also, I have about a 3 yard piece of blue similar to the 8th photo from left to right, but instead of the color shown, mine is the dull blue colorway.

  19. How frustrating. If I had the fabric you are looking for I’d send it in a heartbeat!!!
    I agree with most of the commenters to redo the center block and use your reds.

  20. I echo the suggestions to make a new centre block. I do like the one you have, but it can become the centre of a new project that does not require red. If I had any of the fabric line you’re looking for, I’d send it to you right away. I’m sure you can find some among your readers – we’ve all found ourselves stuck like this before!

  21. How frustrating. If I had the fabric you are looking for I’d send it in a heartbeat!!!
    I agree with most of the commenters to redo the center block and use your reds.

  22. I echo the suggestions to make a new centre block. I do like the one you have, but it can become the centre of a new project that does not require red. If I had any of the fabric line you’re looking for, I’d send it to you right away. I’m sure you can find some among your readers – we’ve all found ourselves stuck like this before!

  23. I agree with the others. I love all the small blocks. They look great. As far as your medallion block, I think I would just try to change out the outer triangles. It seems that is the one that just won’t “play nice” with the others. What do you have to lose? Even if it comes down to re-thinking something else in the centre block it is still easier than all the small ones. My opinion is that I like yours better than theone in themagazine. More spark and life in it. Keep us posted.
    Oh, by the way I don’t have any of that fabric line either, but it would have glady found it’s way to your mailbox if I did.

  24. I agree with the others. I love all the small blocks. They look great. As far as your medallion block, I think I would just try to change out the outer triangles. It seems that is the one that just won’t “play nice” with the others. What do you have to lose? Even if it comes down to re-thinking something else in the centre block it is still easier than all the small ones. My opinion is that I like yours better than theone in themagazine. More spark and life in it. Keep us posted.
    Oh, by the way I don’t have any of that fabric line either, but it would have glady found it’s way to your mailbox if I did.

  25. I guess I really don’t see what the problem is. It’s a scrap quilt…I think it will look great just the way it is. But then I’m not a ‘one liner matchy matchy’ type quilter.

  26. I guess I really don’t see what the problem is. It’s a scrap quilt…I think it will look great just the way it is. But then I’m not a ‘one liner matchy matchy’ type quilter.

  27. Nicole,
    I have 15″ by WOF and 12 x 12 of a brown. I would be delighted to send it to you. I’ll email a photo of the fabric.

  28. Nicole,
    I have 15″ by WOF and 12 x 12 of a brown. I would be delighted to send it to you. I’ll email a photo of the fabric.

  31. I might have some of the colors you are looking for. Email me. Would hate to see all your hard work go to waste.

  32. I might have some of the colors you are looking for. Email me. Would hate to see all your hard work go to waste.

  33. Sorry, I don’t have any to share with you, but I do like the others suggestions of getting a little red into the center and seeing if that would work. Good luck!

  34. Sorry, I don’t have any to share with you, but I do like the others suggestions of getting a little red into the center and seeing if that would work. Good luck!

  35. You might have already done this. . .but. . .have you tried putting the center & the blocks on a design wall to see exactly how things would look?
    There was a workshop that I took many years ago with either Eleanor Burns or MaryEllen Hopkins (can’t remember exactly right now). What is important about the memory is that she had said that all reds go together.
    At the time I didn’t believe her; however, over the years I have seen lots of quilts with lots of different reds in them & they all worked.
    I don’t often run into problems like this because I purposely do not make a quilt in the same colors as the pattern. . . I always need to do things my way.
    Good luck figuring out what to do.
    In peace & pieces,
    Sherry V.

  36. You might have already done this. . .but. . .have you tried putting the center & the blocks on a design wall to see exactly how things would look?
    There was a workshop that I took many years ago with either Eleanor Burns or MaryEllen Hopkins (can’t remember exactly right now). What is important about the memory is that she had said that all reds go together.
    At the time I didn’t believe her; however, over the years I have seen lots of quilts with lots of different reds in them & they all worked.
    I don’t often run into problems like this because I purposely do not make a quilt in the same colors as the pattern. . . I always need to do things my way.
    Good luck figuring out what to do.
    In peace & pieces,
    Sherry V.

  41. Oh Nicole if I had the fabrics I’d gladly send them to you…
    I think split them and try to match up enough fabrics to make two quilts – how about fabric from your stash? :o) Good luck – and don’t dispair – there are positive vibes coming in now from Switzerland!!!!

  42. Oh Nicole if I had the fabrics I’d gladly send them to you…
    I think split them and try to match up enough fabrics to make two quilts – how about fabric from your stash? :o) Good luck – and don’t dispair – there are positive vibes coming in now from Switzerland!!!!

  43. Nicole, a local shop here in Cary is a treasure trove of old Fig Tree and 3 Sisters lines. They have at least some of almost every older line. They do not have a website, but I’d be happy to go take a look for you if you’d like. Let me know!

  44. Nicole, a local shop here in Cary is a treasure trove of old Fig Tree and 3 Sisters lines. They have at least some of almost every older line. They do not have a website, but I’d be happy to go take a look for you if you’d like. Let me know!

  45. I would work on the center medallion block, I think it can be better. I would either make an entirely new center block or replace the outer two borders. But a whole new center star that works with fabrics of your small stars is my first choice.
    On my first medallion quilt, I made the center star a second time, every time I look at that quilt I’m so glad I did..
    I’m happy to get to see the pattern today, I was wondering what all those beautiful small stars were going to be when they grew up. I think this is a wonderful pattern.

  46. I would work on the center medallion block, I think it can be better. I would either make an entirely new center block or replace the outer two borders. But a whole new center star that works with fabrics of your small stars is my first choice.
    On my first medallion quilt, I made the center star a second time, every time I look at that quilt I’m so glad I did..
    I’m happy to get to see the pattern today, I was wondering what all those beautiful small stars were going to be when they grew up. I think this is a wonderful pattern.

  47. You’ve already gotten some wonderful suggestions Nicole. If I had some Allspice Tapestry I’d gladly send it to you. I’m sorry!

  48. You’ve already gotten some wonderful suggestions Nicole. If I had some Allspice Tapestry I’d gladly send it to you. I’m sorry!

  49. I agree, remake the center. This one can be the start of another one when you find the fabrics. Another choice might be to incorporate a print with some of the red in the first border between the center and the small stars. However, one can never have too many sawtooth stars, they will always work in another quilt. I’m always amazed at how fast you churn out beautiful quilts!

  50. I agree, remake the center. This one can be the start of another one when you find the fabrics. Another choice might be to incorporate a print with some of the red in the first border between the center and the small stars. However, one can never have too many sawtooth stars, they will always work in another quilt. I’m always amazed at how fast you churn out beautiful quilts!

  51. Maybe the color on my monitor is off….I don’t see a real problem with it. But, I’d have to agree with the majority of the commenters…remake the center medallion and keep the pretty, pretty stars. I would remake all the triangle pieces for a start.

  52. Maybe the color on my monitor is off….I don’t see a real problem with it. But, I’d have to agree with the majority of the commenters…remake the center medallion and keep the pretty, pretty stars. I would remake all the triangle pieces for a start.

  53. [skipped the earlier comments to avoid being influenced – will go back and read them later]
    Being a liberated quilter, I would see this as a marvelous design opportunity … not a failure or a reason for such frustration (a little, but not a lot).
    Why does your quilt have to look “just like” the one in the magazine? Maybe if you just remake that center medallion with a red that makes you happier . . . then the rest of your blocks will work like you want/need them to.
    OR take the blocks that you have (that you love) and lay them out to design your own top . . . without that block that doesn’t play well with the others. . .
    Or offer the whole lot for sale and let someone else design a top from your beautifully pieced blocks.
    You’ll find a way to make it work!

  54. [skipped the earlier comments to avoid being influenced – will go back and read them later]
    Being a liberated quilter, I would see this as a marvelous design opportunity … not a failure or a reason for such frustration (a little, but not a lot).
    Why does your quilt have to look “just like” the one in the magazine? Maybe if you just remake that center medallion with a red that makes you happier . . . then the rest of your blocks will work like you want/need them to.
    OR take the blocks that you have (that you love) and lay them out to design your own top . . . without that block that doesn’t play well with the others. . .
    Or offer the whole lot for sale and let someone else design a top from your beautifully pieced blocks.
    You’ll find a way to make it work!

  57. Oh, dear, a frustrating experience for sure. Is it possible to make sure the reds are further away from the medallion in the layout? There must be some caramel or blue or maybe even brown in your stash that would work to even out the red, but only if you don’t have your heart set on using the Fig Tree lines only. Good luck on figuring this out!

  58. Oh, dear, a frustrating experience for sure. Is it possible to make sure the reds are further away from the medallion in the layout? There must be some caramel or blue or maybe even brown in your stash that would work to even out the red, but only if you don’t have your heart set on using the Fig Tree lines only. Good luck on figuring this out!

  59. Ditto on re do’ing the center block. And don’t kick yourself on the kit, it probably wouldn’t have had the same fabrics, jus tmy experience with kits.

  60. Ditto on re do’ing the center block. And don’t kick yourself on the kit, it probably wouldn’t have had the same fabrics, jus tmy experience with kits.

  61. Now that you know a little more about how you want the quilt to look, I’d remake the center. Use the first one in a small wallhandging and give it as a gift. Two for the price of one :).

  62. Now that you know a little more about how you want the quilt to look, I’d remake the center. Use the first one in a small wallhandging and give it as a gift. Two for the price of one :).

  63. As Michelle suggested, the search at quiltshops.com has come to my rescue many times.
    John may have the winning idea since his local shop has lots available.
    I hope you’ll audition the fabrics from your stash, no matter which company made them, to see how you like what you already have. I think using those fabrics will make your quilt all you want it to be.
    Yep, I see a lovely red star quilt or wall hanging, table runner, or … in your future!
    Hugs!

  64. As Michelle suggested, the search at quiltshops.com has come to my rescue many times.
    John may have the winning idea since his local shop has lots available.
    I hope you’ll audition the fabrics from your stash, no matter which company made them, to see how you like what you already have. I think using those fabrics will make your quilt all you want it to be.
    Yep, I see a lovely red star quilt or wall hanging, table runner, or … in your future!
    Hugs!

  65. Could you make the stars that don’t work into a lap quilt, and find more Fig Tree to complete the other one? I have an Allspice Tapestry jellyroll if you are interested.

  66. Could you make the stars that don’t work into a lap quilt, and find more Fig Tree to complete the other one? I have an Allspice Tapestry jellyroll if you are interested.

  67. Nicole, Like Kim, I am not one who sticks to one line of fabric in a quilt. I generally incorporate anything that coordinates in a way that pleases me. Usually a mix of Moda, various Henry Glass and Robert Kaufman and many others of my favorite fabric lines. Matter of fact, for the very first time since I started quilting, I bought some of Heather Mulder Peterson’s ‘At Home for the Holidays’ line, but just enough to make a throw and a small table cloth. It will be my very first quilt made from one specific collection. I really like the look of many fabric lines together in a quilt. I’ll bet if you go through your stash, you will find something you love that ‘plays nicely with the others’.

  68. Nicole, Like Kim, I am not one who sticks to one line of fabric in a quilt. I generally incorporate anything that coordinates in a way that pleases me. Usually a mix of Moda, various Henry Glass and Robert Kaufman and many others of my favorite fabric lines. Matter of fact, for the very first time since I started quilting, I bought some of Heather Mulder Peterson’s ‘At Home for the Holidays’ line, but just enough to make a throw and a small table cloth. It will be my very first quilt made from one specific collection. I really like the look of many fabric lines together in a quilt. I’ll bet if you go through your stash, you will find something you love that ‘plays nicely with the others’.

  69. Either re-make the center or use what you have to make two much smaller quilts of a different lay-out and then give them to some young gal for her dollies or give them to a charity for their use in a draw or whatever. You always seem to go for big quilts maybe this time it wouldn’t be so bad if they were little, different and had no borders then you could redress the pattern and your fabric and start all over again with something you are complete;y happy with. Happy quilting!

  70. Either re-make the center or use what you have to make two much smaller quilts of a different lay-out and then give them to some young gal for her dollies or give them to a charity for their use in a draw or whatever. You always seem to go for big quilts maybe this time it wouldn’t be so bad if they were little, different and had no borders then you could redress the pattern and your fabric and start all over again with something you are complete;y happy with. Happy quilting!

  73. Your center is lighter than the magazine picture. I think that is what is throughing you off.
    You need to get the blocks up on a design wall. It is totally amazing when it is vertical and not flat.
    What about a band of red around the center medallion. If all else fails, consider remaking the center darker.
    Don’t pack it up. This is your challenge to make it work. This is one that you are doing that will not be matchy matchy to the photo.
    You can do it!

  74. Your center is lighter than the magazine picture. I think that is what is throughing you off.
    You need to get the blocks up on a design wall. It is totally amazing when it is vertical and not flat.
    What about a band of red around the center medallion. If all else fails, consider remaking the center darker.
    Don’t pack it up. This is your challenge to make it work. This is one that you are doing that will not be matchy matchy to the photo.
    You can do it!