The Stars Are Out Tonight ... Or The Morning Star Quilt Comes Together

 

Here's the first layer of diamond blocks to form the center star.

I've been working on diamond blocks for a morning star (aka lone star) quilt.  This is to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary next June 2019.  It might even be done by then.  ;-)

 Here is the 2nd layer of diamonds. Wow!

And it isn't even close to being done yet!

The pattern is by Jinny Beyer, The Lotus Quilt.  I bought a kit on sale for a really great price.
 This is what it should look like when it's all done :

Matching the seams can be a little fiddly.  I think that is the most time-consuming part of the whole process.  But I've worked out a method that seems reliable.  It involves marking 1/4-inch at the seam on both sides.  Then using a pin to hold and match the seams to meet, then securing that on either side before you sew.  This has given me good results, and makes the extra effort worth it.

Mark the edges at 1/4-inch.  My preferred marking tool is a tailor's chalk marker, because it brushes out and is not permanent.

Here are all my pieces marked and ready for pinning.

Take a pin and stick it through the 1/4-inch point at the first seam.

The goal is to find the equivalent point on the 2nd side, also marked by the 1/4-inch chalk line.

Use that pin to line up the pieces.  Hold it perpendicular to make sure things line up properly.  Then stick in 2 pins on either side to hold it stable. 

Then you can pull out the perpendicular pin.

Pinned and ready to stitch.

Ta-dah!  Pressed and ready for the world ...  The corners meet perfectly this way.

The seams match up on the right side, and I'm not spending time ripping out and re-doing it.  So it's worth the time investment to do it right.

Another tip : I'm also using DIY Linen Water to stabilize the blocks.  My recipe comes from Kay at Borderline Quilter who shared a great idea for making your own spray starch for pressing fabric.  It's so simple!  Just a little Vodka with tap water (or distilled water, if you prefer) in a spray bottle.  It works because vodka is made from potatoes.  Apparently, there's enough starch left in the distilled spirits to make it work in this distilled form.   Only Vodka will work.

DIY Linen Water
In a spray bottle, mix 2 capfuls of straight Vodka in 1-1/2 cups water (tap water works, but you could also used distilled).  [Sometimes I add a little green tea essential oil, which I have on hand for soap-making.]
 
For a heavier starch, mix 3-4 capfuls of straight Vodka with 1-1/2 cups water. Quilter's Moonshine (water with a little vodka).  

You could also look up recipes for Quilter's Moonshine.   This one actually includes starch.

The Heart Wants What It Wants ... a New Spinning Wheel

Tonight I put in an order for a brand new spinning wheel : a Schacht-Reeves 24-inch single treadle Saxony wheel in cherry.     Here are the specs from the Schacht website.   I am taking a huge leap of faith here, ordering it site unseen, and untried.   I've heard good things about them.  They might be a little fiddly to begin with, but once you come to an understanding, it's a smooth spinner.     And a beautiful piece of furniture, too. 

I was trying to wait for the Sheep & Wool Festival in September, but there's no guarantee that any of the vendors will bring this particular wheel to demo ...   In the end, I found the best price through a family farm / fiber shop that happens to be in Wisconsin : Earthsong Fibers.   So that makes me feel even better that I bought "local."  They might very well be vending at the upcoming Sheep & Wool Festival, too.

If I don't like it, I don't think I will have any trouble selling it.

It has such a classic, beautiful look to it.   Truth be known, I would have loved the 30-inch wheel, but my house isn't quite big enough fr that size -- maybe some day?

Now, I wait 8-10 weeks for the Schacht Spindle Factory to make it for me and drop-ship to my home.

Did I mention it's cherry?  LOVE!

In the meantime, I'll give my old Louet S90 wheel some love ...  Still spinning the the silk and wool mix. ;-)

4-Patch Posey Square-within-a-Square Quilt Top Done!

This quilt top is finally done.  I'll plan on sandwiching it at Quit Camp in the fall, to be quilted later, one I figure out what to do.

Any idea on what to call this quilt?  It's  sized for a double / full-size bed.

I started these blocks probably 10 years ago, and just didn't like the original layout in the pattern. I finally had he bright idea to set them with the economy block, or square-within-a square.  I like this much better!