In July, I participated in the Astronomical Quilts! Block Challenge by completing a 9.5" wonky star block. I decided I really liked the block, but didn't want to make a ton of them. Hence, The Giant Wonky Star quilt (working title). I had enough of the background fabric to make the star 48" x 48". With the three additional borders, it measures 62" x 62". I had the quilt top and pieced back done in August. It went together so quickly. I even made a quilt label for it's September completion. Oops. (I've made a new one.) Thanks again to ALYoF for helping me get a project from the back burner to the finished column this month!
I was searching for a cosmic name for the quilt. With some help from my husband I settled on Stellar Wind. Stellar wind is the flow of particles from the atmosphere of a star, and is not generally symmetric. Perfect!
I think part of the long delay in quilting it was my inability to decide what design(s) to use. With help from my sister I finally came up with a plan last weekend. I decided to do square and triangular spirals inside the star. Then for the background I used a swirl and star pattern I'd used before when I quilted Frieda. I stitched in the ditch between each border, extending the background pattern to the second border. Then on the outer border I made a variety of planets. If you look very closely (okay, maybe you can't tell) you'll see that I ran out of the thread I was using and the last 6 or so planets are a different color. ;-)
After all those planets, some of them were even kinda round!
Linking up to ALYoF January Finishes, Finish It Up Friday, & Fabric Frenzy Friday.
This is one of my finishes from my Q1 Finish Along Goal List. Linking up to the Q1 Finishes party at On the Windy Side.
Jasmine
Congrats on the finish! I love the spirals in the star. What a great sister. And I doubt anyone will notice the different thread.
sarah
Post authorThanks, Jasmine. The spiral is a really fun effect. I was having the hardest time with deciding on that part. She had recommended the spiraled triangles for the outer border which gave me the idea to use them in the star. :-)
Danette
Gorgeous quilt, loved all the quilting especially the planets!
sarah
Post authorThanks Danette. I just kind of went for it with the planets. They got better as I went. ;-)
Roberta Pabst
Love it, Sarah! Where is the hanging sleeve? You will need one for the quilt show!
sarah
Post authorIt's on my to do list, Roberta. I'm thinking this one, Candy Shoppe and Antioxidant Delight. :-)
emily
love the colors and those little stars quilted in there as well.
fabulous job!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Emily. I really had fun with the quilting. Time consuming, but worth it!
Marji
It is in all ways truly....stellar!!
sarah
Post authorHee hee. Very punny. :-) Thanks, Marji.
Jennifer B
Stopping by from Stash Bee! Love the planets and the envelopes! I think Tula's animals are kinda creepy but I think the envelopes are the perfect way to showcase them and not have an entire quilt of raccoon's and octopi staring you down while you sleep.
sarah
Post authorThanks for visiting! I have a large cut of the purple racoons that I'm considering using for a dress for my daughter... too creepy? ;-)
Bo
Just beautiful!! Great name for your quilt!!
sarah
Post authorThanks, Bo! (I'm trying to get better at naming quilts.)
Adrianne
Great quilting!
sarah
Post authorThanks!
Carol Eskola
So glad I found your site via Pinterest!
sarah
Post authorMe too! Welcome to my blog, Carol. Enjoy poking around. I'd love to hear about what resonates with you.