Blanche's Barnstar

Here is my first finish of 2016 and one of my goals for the 2016 Finish Along - a Triple Barnstar quilt (an Amy Gibson - Stitchery Dock - design).

It measures 72" square and for the backing I used leftovers of the main fabrics (and, this is becoming a feature, can you spot the photobomber cat?).

For the quilting of the points of the stars I used sets of three straight lines, following the shape of the triangles: 1/4" gaps for the smallest star, 1/2" gaps for the next size star, and 1" gaps for the largest star, and leaving the central area of each point un-quilted for softness:

In the central star's corner squares I stitched a star outline and repeated this on a larger scale for the outside corner blocks. The rest of those outer corner blocks were quilted with straight lines that cross-hatched on the interior corner.

For the white negative triangles and outer V-shape I used a loopy stipple to give some variety and softness in contrast to all the straight lines.

The binding is the geometric triangle print that was used on the front.

This quilt was 'commissioned' by my dad's sister, my Aunty Blanche, who wanted a quilt for her bedroom. She left it up to me to choose whatever colours or pattern I wanted but sent me a photo of the dark teal colour of her bedroom curtains.

Over the years of my life Blanche was the 'seamstress' for many of my important outfits (high school ball, college graduation and my wedding dress) so it has been a pleasure to return the favour and create this for her. Here it is 'in situ'...I am pleased to say she was absolutely delighted with it!

Linking up with Kelly's Needle and Thread Thursday party and Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday - kia ora everyone!

WIP Wednesday - Moda Designer Mystery quilt

I've excitedly got a finish to share in my next post (need to get the photos off my camera) but in the meantime I've moved onto my next Finish Along 1st quarter goal - completing my 2012-2013 Moda Designer Mystery BOM quilt...

I've had the blocks and the finishing kit sitting in my 'textile storage facility' (aka the spare room) since 2013 and have finally got around to putting it together! 

Here's progress so far - I had forgotten how much I adore these Bonnie and Camille 'Vintage Modern' fabrics...

The Moda kit/BOM packs all had ample fabric for the blocks, I've got a lot of leftovers that I will relish using in another project. 

Linking up with Lee's WIP Wednesday party - Happy New Year from sunny summery Southland!

Goal List for 2016 Finish Along First Quarter

For the start of this year's 2016 Finish Along I am not going to be too ambitious - it might still be the school holidays but I will soon be back at work planning for the kids' return on 1st Feb and then life will be very different to the "cruise-mode" that I am currently running in!

1. Complete this Amy Gibson Triple Barn Star - fmq and binding to do - couldn't get it done in the last quarter but it's almost finished...YES! It is done and delivered - check it out here!

2. Put together and quilt this Moda BOM Mystery Designer quilt (it has been patiently waiting since 2013!) Completed at Easter!

3. Finish this Me and My Sister baby quilt ('Easy as 10')

4. And this one too - a sister quilt to the purple one - both made from a Kate Spain 'Terrain' charm pack and yardage

5. Turning these fabrics into a "little something"... DONE! Feb 2016 - enjoy it Jan!

6. Lastly, quilt up this top that has been waiting about six years!

Right - I'd better get started! Good luck everyone!