You may remember, way back in August last year, that I began making some green saw tooth star blocks with an unbirthday present from my lovely friend Claire. She sent me some fabric pieces, all slightly larger than 10 inches square as a surprise gift. I chopped each of them into four 5 inch squares and set to work.
I had enough to make 25 stars.
They looked lovely all laid out together and I rearranged them over and over again to get the best distribution of colours. The next photos were taken in very poor light.
Then I had a brainwave… What if I added some Irish chain blocks? I had some coordinating solids that would look nice and then I’d have a much bigger quilt.
When sewing them together, it’s a good idea to pay attention or you might make a mistake like I did. OOPS!
Thankfully it wasn’t too difficult to put right. Now, after quilting and binding, I have a lovely happy dance to share 🙂
I was quite shocked to look back through my posts and find that I’d originally received these fabrics last August. It’s taken almost a year to get them all sewn up. Better late than never.
Thank you so much again Claire. I couldn’t have made this without your very kind unbirthday gift. I hope you like what I made 🙂
katechiconi
/ June 29, 2016That is one really lovely quilt. What fun to have made it entirely from what you had to hand. The Irish Chain blocks were an inspired addition, because the new layout really gives those stars space to breathe, but showcases them at the same time.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016Thank you Kate. Sometimes it’s best to just stop, take a step back and think. I usually plan a quilt from start to finish. With this one I just made the stars with what Claire sent because I enjoy making them. I was never really sure what they would turn into. That’s most unlike me 🙂
claire93
/ June 29, 2016I totally approve of what you made ^^ and I think it was a brilliant idea to add the Irish chain which sets the stars off so well and gives you a lovely big quilt ^^
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016I’m pleased you approve 🙂
Deb
/ June 29, 2016Very fresh and beautiful!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016Thank you Deb 🙂
susanssnippets
/ June 30, 2016Love the colors and the addition of the Irish chain blocks really makes the stars pop!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016That was the plan 🙂
knitnkwilt
/ June 30, 2016Me too: I think the Irish Chain setting was a perfect idea. A beautiful quilt! Love the colors.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016Thank you. I love the colours too 🙂
tialys
/ June 30, 2016The addition of the Irish Chain really complements those stars and I absolutely love the colours. I bet Claire is delighted to see her unbirthday present transformed into such a gorgeous quilt.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016She is happy and that makes me smile too 🙂
witchylin
/ June 30, 2016Just gorgeous, like all your quilting.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016Thank you Lin. You are so kind 🙂
knettycraft
/ June 30, 2016What a wonderful quilt Avis… the combination with Irish chain blocks is magnificent!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016I think I might use the Irish chains more often to highlight blocks. It almost makes the stas look as though they are set “on point”.
Carole
/ June 30, 2016That looks beautiful. I love how the Irish chain blocks transform it into something really special 🙂
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016And they are so simple to make too 🙂
Debbierose
/ July 1, 2016Irish Chain is a great showcase for these beautiful fabrics
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 1, 2016I’ll definitely make more like this 🙂
Denby
/ July 2, 2016It looks great. Love the colours.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 4, 2016Thank you. I really enjoyed making it and it was great to eventually turn the pile of stars into something practical 🙂
basildonkitchens
/ July 2, 2016Fantastic – you put together a wonderful quilt! I love the stars surrounded by the Irish chain. 🙂
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 4, 2016Thank you Connie. I had fun putting this one together 🙂
rutigt
/ July 5, 2016What a great idea, adding those Irish chains 🙂 It´s a great quilt!!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 6, 2016Thank you Gun. I don’t think it’ll be the last time I frame blocks this way 🙂
Granny Maud's Girl
/ July 6, 2016Only a year to sew them up? That sounds very good to me!
We all make those kinds of oopsies. Thankfully, they are not too hard to fix and the result is beautiful.
I like how your cross-over Irish chain bits are slightly bigger. (I am sure they have a proper name, but I do not know it.) I have never thought to do that.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 6, 2016Yes, I wanted them to pop, so bigger and darker was intentional. I’ve seen some 3D looking Irish Chain style blocks lately, made with chain squares gradually getting larger and smaller. With the right colour placement, they could be fabulous. Something else to try…
TextileRanger
/ July 17, 2016A lovely fresh and crisp looking quilt! It took me a while to see the “oops”! 🙂
Oh Sew Tempting
/ July 17, 2016Thank you. It was one of the last seams I did that day and I probably should have packed up earlier. Loss of concentration I think 🙂