Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Summer Stars

This year I decided to subscribe to Block magazine from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. The first issue came February 20th, the same day I was leaving for Phoenix. I stuck it in my bag so I could peruse it while I was on my vacation.

I selected several patterns I wanted to make with some of the precuts I had on hand. When I told someone I was going to make some quilts from this magazine, they told me they didn't like MSQ patterns, they weren't challenging enough.

I wasn't looking for challenging patterns, I've made several quilts that took years from start to finish. I wanted fast and easy.

The first quilt to be made from Volume 1, 2020 of Block is Summer Stars. MSQ has the pattern for sale but you can watch the tutorial for free. Just click it and watch.



This really is a fast and easy pattern. I cut the pieces last Friday afternoon and started sewing Saturday. I finished on Monday. That's a record for me! It even finished at the same size the pattern said it would, that's another record!

Edited - I forgot to say that I didn't use the special ruler they called for. I used the 45* line on my regular long ruler. Worked just fine!


This is the first time I've ever made wonky stars and some of those stars are really weird but they're pieced.

I used a 30's jelly roll, I knew I wanted to make this quilt so I purchased the border fabric before the 'official' isolation started.


For now it's waiting in the 'to be quilted closet'.

As usual there was a breeze while I was trying to photograph the quilt on the clothesline. 


These heifers were recently turned into this pasture, they've never experienced a quilt photo shoot so I took a picture of them by theirselves.

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Clever ChameleonMidweek MakersWednesday Wait Loss, Put Your Foot Down, Needle & Thread Thursday

21 comments:

Chris said...

I love a challenge but sometimes we do need to make something fast and easy. The heifers look nice in their pasture.

Julierose said...

Oh this is a lovely quilt--I like the combination of those wonky stars and the ojos..Great colors in this--I am definitely with you on "challenging" quilts--not for me all those pieces and angles...I want to enjoy myself sewing. Also, this is really beautiful and simply put together--how wonderful win/win
~ ~ ~ ~waving from clouding up skies Julierose

Vicki in MN said...

I love MS patterns! One doesn't need a challenging piecing project to make a wonderful quilt!

Unknown said...

I love Missouri Star Quilt Patterns! I have so much fabric that quick and easy patterns help me go through the stash so I can buy more! Your Summer Stars quilt is lovely!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Gretchen! Oh, those heifers!! I wonder what they thought about the quilt picture process. They sure had to get a good look, didn't they?!! I love cows - they are really curious and actually a bit nosy. Here's something that bothers me - when you told your friend you were going to make a quilt, why couldn't she just say that's nice?!! Does she HAVE to say that the pattern is too easy (for her)?!! I think your quilt is beautiful - I don't care if it was easy or challenging - and it was a lovely choice in fabrics. I've not tried to make anything wonky before although my newest project is just that! It's a wonky block - I've only sewn one long seam so far, so it has a ways to go. Thanks for linking up this week! ~smile~ Roseanne

Dirt Road Quilter said...

That pattern's on my list too - yours looks wonderful! I love MSQ patterns - quick and easy patterns make treasured quilts too.

Gretchen Weaver said...

The comment didn't bother me, I didn't loose any sleep over it anyway. I'm a rather blunt person too and I'm sure I've stepped on other peoples toes at one time or another. This quilt is going to be for our 8 year old granddaughter and I think it will be perfect for her.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I don't mind challenging quilts but right now I'm in the mood to sew and actually piece a quilt!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That is so pretty - I love the colors! I'm so impressed you could piece it in a weekend!

Robin said...

Lovely cheerful quilt. Wow! I think that's a record from start to finish. It was probably a lot of fun. I'm glad your friend didn't discourage you from making something fast. Fast definitely has it's place just like slow is usually reserved for applique.

Created by Kathi said...

I am with you... enjoy the patterns you like ... sometimes tough ... sometimes easy... sometimes intermediate but fUN right now is important and what a fun and happy summer stars quilt it is :) Thanks for sharing your flimsy finish! Kathi

Katie said...

Another gorgeous quilt! I totally agree - sometimes fast and easy is just the ticket!!

Jayne said...

It turned out beautiful! Sometimes a non challenging block is just what we need. I'm all about a quick finish once in a while, thats for sure!

Raewyn said...

It is fun to have projects that you blink an eye and they're finished, in amongst those long term projects. This is beautiful. I love the fabric you have used and the border fabric sets it all off beautifully. Nice to see the cattle enjoying the photoshoot!

Rebecca Grace said...

Well, from a quilt shop business standpoint, it makes better sense to offer patterns that are easy, achievable, and go together quickly -- people who make easy quilts make MORE quilts, and that means they are buying fabric more often!

I totally get what you mean about wanting something easy for instant gratification after you've been bogged down in complex projects for a few years. Somehow the "quick and easy" projects I pick are never quite as quick or as easy as I thought they would be, however... :-). Your Summer Stars quilt is really lovely and refreshing. Great job, and happy quilting!

Susan said...

This turned out really nice! I love the coordinated scrappy-ness.

Joy said...

Hello I am embroidering the Miss Jane's best and did not see color numbers on the pattern.I picked out colors and do not like them. Could you possibly tell me what DMC colors you used on yours.Thank you

K Reeves said...

I like that pattern and the 30's fabric is perfect for it! This is a fun and happy quilt, and done in a weekend? Wonderful!

For the love of geese said...

You definitely held their attention. This is a great quilt. I can't say I've ever looked at a MSQ magazine. Thank you for linking up to Put your foot down.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Love the little cows watching you so intently! It seems like the wind always comes up when I'm trying to photograph a quilt. Yours is gorgeous. I don't measure the value of a quilt by how hard it was to make but by how much I love it when it's done and I love yours! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

Kathy S. said...

Glad the heifers got in on the action of the photo shoot. The quilt is gorgeous. Oh how I LOVE a fast pattern like that. Thanks for the pattern reference. I love MSQ too! I haven't made one of their quilts for quite a while. Your fabrics area great!