Friday, December 8, 2023

Christmas Stars

Lori brought 2 quilts that she had quilted for me when she came to our mini retreat. The Christmas Stars quilt came along to retreat with me. 

I sewed the binding Saturday evening and she was a finish by 10 pm! Both sides were machine stitched. When I machine stitch binding, I sew the binding onto the backside then turn to the front for top stitching. Not all quilters do it that way but that is what works for me. When I hand bind, I stitch the binding onto the front then turn to the back for hand stitching. I only hand bind special quilts, quilts that I hand quilt. Machine stitching is so much faster!

The design Lori used was a perfect, it's a holly design with circles, so cute. And the red thread looks so nice!

I thought I had posted when Christmas Stars was in the flimsy stage but I can't find one. The last post I find is when the blocks were arranged on the display floor in August. Those blocks were on the floor for two weeks and I checked them several times looking for mis-sewn blocks.


When I displayed the finished quilt at retreat, someone noticed a block that was incorrect. They asked me if I did that on purpose. No, I did NOT!

That's a bunch of nonsense about Amish women purposely adding a mistake to their quilts. They're just like me, they don't purposely make mistakes, they just happen!

For backing fabric I used the red/beige fabric I had considered adding as a border. You all quickly dispelled that idea, this fabric was perfect for backing. The backing needed to be pieced and I added other Christmas fabric. Years ago I had participated in a Christmas block exchange. These blocks were never used so I added them here.

Here is a closeup of the quilting on white fabric, isn't this design fantastic?!

For now Christmas Stars measures 83" by 89". She'll shrink whenever she gets washed. 

I haven't decided if she's going to hang in the rafters or if she'll be displayed on a bed during the Christmas season.

Linking to Needle & Thread ThursdayTGIFF!, Peacock Party, Whoop Whoop Party, Finished or Not  Friday, Patchwork & Quilts


14 comments:

  1. It's glorious! I love the pattern and the fabrics. The quilting just sets it off so beautifully. I do my machine binding and my hand binding exactly as you do. I stopped hand binding when I started washing my quilts and my binding came apart - eeeek! So obviously I was doing something wrong with my hand stitching.
    Nice finish! Hope to see it after you decide where to hang it. :)

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  2. I tried machine stitching the binding once and it looked horrible - I'm just not neat enough at it. I like the process of hand stitching the binding but I know many are now machine stitching it and glad it works for some people. I agree I never thought the Amish planned a mistake that is silly

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  3. Christmas Stars is beautiful, Gretchen! I love the scrappy look of the different reds, greens, and neutrals you used. Amazing how we can look at a block a million times, and not see the mistake until it's too late! Hopefully this will just give you a laugh whenever you see it from now on.

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  4. Such a beautiful Christmas quilt.

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  5. This is a beautiful quilt. I'm always surprised when I hear that saying about intentional errors. I doubt any of us are perfect enough to not make mistakes once in a while. My mom used to say mistakes and dust were okay because if someone was looking for one/some, you'd hate to disappoint them. ~Jeanne

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  6. Thats a lovely finish Gretchen. xx

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  7. I agree with Jeanne about what her mom used to say ;D Your quilt is gorgeous, I love the red thread too, and the quilted swirls. Great use of the Christmas blocks on the backing!
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful finish, and linking up!

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  8. Beautiful quilt with stars!
    I don't see any error block at all.
    I always sew the binding on by hand, just like I make my entire quilt by hand.
    Fast isn't necessary for me, because I already have so many.
    I like it nice and slow.
    You can lie under the stars at Christmas. :-)
    Greetings,
    Floor

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  9. Love your Christmas Stars! It was so nice to meet you in person, I think from now on I will ear dessert first!

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  10. Love it!! and you are right - the quilting is perfect for it!!!
    I do binding the same way -and sometimes use a decorative stitch on the top ;-)
    Merry CHristmas!!!

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  11. What a beautiful Christmas quilt! I need to put one on my to-do list for next year. I think about too close to Christmas to accomplish it. LOL!

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  12. Absolutely beautiful Gretchen. I did my first machine binding on my last quilt that turned out beautiful . I do what you do. I cut a 2 1/4” strip and Sew a good 1/4” seam. The secret is using the same color of thread. I am sure I killed my thumb with the 20 quilts I hand bound earlier this year!!! Hugs

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  13. That's a beautiful quilt. Congratulations!

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