Our last challenge of the year was to make a Lone Star quilt with the Surprise fabric we received in our last box from Island Batik. My fabric was a beautiful collection called Emperor’s Treasure.
We were also given 2 yards each of 2 fabrics from the collection. I was give Bamboo Leaves- Green and Ginko Leaves- Green; a bright limey green and a dark green.
I have made a few Lone Star quilts using the QuiltSmart Interfacing designed by Bill Reinhold. I taught classes here in Tallahassee when he first developed the method. It’s an easy, no fail method.
I have also made a Lone Star quilt using Studio180 Design’s pattern, “Deep in the Heart”. To better understand this method, Deb Tucker recommends Jan Krentz’s book, Lone Star Quilts. I started my Lone Star with this method, because I knew how large my Lone Star would be and I could design my quilt from there.
I started by sewing 2 1/2″ strips together, offset. I used a Schmetz Microtez needle to do my piecing; I love the sharp point for Batik fabrics.
Next, these strips are cut on the diagonal which can be challenging, with all those bias edges.
To sew my strips together accurately, I mark the quarter inch seam using my Quilter’s Magic Wand from Studio 180 Design. I pin each intersection and sew carefully to avoid any stretching of my fabric.
Once I had my diamond’s together, I had to decide where I was going from there. I really wasn’t sure about making such a dark diamond with the green background, but other ideas just didn’t have the pop I was looking for.
What do you think?
There are lots of Y-seams to deal with here… not my favorite thing, but it turned out ok.
From here it was just playing with different ways to finish the quilt. There are multiple ideas in books and on Pinterest, but I had fabric limitations to work with.
I chose to quilt with several complimentary Aurifil threads. I used Hobbs Wool/Cotton Blend batting, which is lightweight and shows off the quilting.
Over Thanksgiving my husband and I traveled to Arkansas. It was perfect for taking pictures:
Disclosure: The products in this post were provided by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread Prairie Spirit Alpaca & Schmetz Needles
Island Batik is giving away two fat quarter bundles this week: Click on the Rafflecopter link to enter the contest! Click Here
Be sure to check out the beautiful Lone Star quilts made by my fellow Ambassadors.
WEEK 1
December 5
Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine
Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail
December 6
Megan Best, Bestquilter
Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs
December 7
Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts
Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood
December 8
Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
December 9
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway
WEEK 2
December 12
Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts
Suzy Webster, Websterquilt
December 13
Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads
Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter
December 14
Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese
Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia
December 15
Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights
Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts
December 16
Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway
WEEK 3
December 19
Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts
Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde Gifts
December 20
Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts
Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs
Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels
December 21
Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion
December 22
Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky
Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum
Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio
December 23
End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up
Gail Renna 
Your quilt is sooo beautiful. I love all the colors you used. Great job!
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Thank you Joyce.
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It’s beautiful, Gail! I love the pop of lime with all those rich purples. The photos you took on your trip are beautiful. Have a lovely day.
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Thank you Jennifer.
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Gail, this is absolutely gorgeous! I really love that pop of lime with the rich purples and greens!!
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Thank you Brenda.
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wow your quilt is gorgeous. it seems to radiate from the center out. wow. thanks for sharing and inspiring. these fabrics really put your quilt in the wow factor.
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Thank you Lori!
Gail Renna
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What a great job you did! I remember well these challenges and the fabric limitations, which are real. I love the bright green, it really is perfect. The photos are terrific, too!
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The lime really makes the design pop. Love the borders, and great photo location.
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Your use of chartreuse is so bold but you made it work beautifully. Stunning piece accented by your location!
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You totally rocked the difficult chartreuse color! Beautiful job.
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