Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Iridescent Star plus My Favorite Quilt Block!

Made with Confetti & Crayola Cotton Basics from Riley Blake Designs
Iridescent Stars, 60" x 60" Lap Quilt

I'm happy to be sharing my latest quilt today, for a couple of reasons!  First, to showcase these fabrics from Riley Blake Designs, and second, to share my favorite quilt block on the Favorite Quilt Block Blog Hop hosted by Carla@Creatin'intheSticks.


First, about the fabric.  When I began quilting, it was difficult for me to put two prints together.  Then as I kept making quilts, my mind did a turnabout, and now I have a hard time using solids.  But once I finished a certain QUILT a few months back, I have been dreaming about making one with solids and not in double-knit polyester!

Riley Blake carries around 200 colors of this luscious, beautiful, soft-to-the-touch "Confetti Cotton" and "CrayolaCotton" solid color fabrics.  I only used 27 colors for this quilt.  And quilting it was like quilting through butter - love the feel of it.


Now, about the block.  As it turns out, my favorite quilt block happens to be whatever I'm working on at the moment!  I do love anything with triangles, so apparently, a half-square triangle is my favorite block.  Today, that is.


My beginning quilts were all made with half-square triangles (HSTs).  When I first realized that I could cut out squares to make triangles, instead of cutting out each individual triangle, that was a game changer.  Then I learned some tips, tricks and tools that really opened my eyes and made the process of quilting so much fun.

Pair * Mark a diagonal line * Stitch * Cut * Press
TIP:  Quilter's math formula to calculate the size squares needed to make two HSTs:
Desired Finished Size (FS) + 7/8"(.875) 

Another TIP:  Round the .875 up to 1 inch for a little "fudge factor" as I call it, then trim to the exact size once it's sewn.
FS + 1"

TRICK:  You can make 8 HSTs at the same time!  Just double the formula:
(FS + 1) x 2   See my TUTORIAL<<

Pair * Mark an X * Stitch * Cut + and x * Press

TOOL:  One great little tool that I probably use daily and can't live without to make practically perfect pretty points.  See my TUTORIAL<<

Made and trimmed the 164 HSTs for this quilt in no time, then it was fun to lay it out.  I stitched the blocks together into 4-patches, which made them easier to manage.



Then I freemotion-quilted with my favorite echo swirl overall design and added the binding and label by machine.


I'll probably use this quilt as a sample of machine binding for the class I'll be teaching next Friday at the Utah Quilt Guild Quilt Festival.








Oh, I think we are going to enjoy this quilt!  The pattern is forthcoming.  A big thanks to Riley Blake Designs for their wonderful fabrics, and to Carla for hosting this hop!  You can see a master list HERE, see a sample of everyone's favorite blocks on Carla's PINTEREST page, and visit those on the list below to see today's installments!

GIVEAWAY:  Win a bundle of RBD Confetti Cottons!  What is your favorite quilt block?  I'll draw a winner on Monday, Sept. 16th.

UPDATE:  We have a WINNER!!  Congratulations, Kathleen, your squishy package is on it's way!


 

57 comments:

  1. Good morning Deonn! Thank you for sharing your pretty rainbow quilt. I have a love/hate relationship with HSTs. I prefer the oversize then trim to fit method for accuracy, but then there is all that sliver trimming, but then they look so good! And they are so versatile. My favorite block is a tie between the Sawtooth Star and Lonestar. Thank you for sharing!

    Brandy

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  2. These colors are so beautiful! When I see a stack like that, I just want to sit and look at it. LOL
    I love lots of quilt blocks, but I'm always drawn to the friendship star or variations.

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  3. My favorite block is definitely a star block of almost any style. Love your project!

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  4. Gorgeous quilt. Love the solids. I would say my favorite block is a churn dash.

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  5. Love the quilt! I love anything with star blocks and pinwheels!

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  6. Beautiful quilt! The colors are stunning! I'm sure it will be a hit in your class. My favorite quilt block is the Churn Dash.

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  7. Such a nice quilt. My favorite block is the nine patch and all it’s variations. dorthac at aol.com

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  8. Very pretty quilt. I don't have a favorite block because there are way too many fun blocks. If I had to pick a favorite it might be nine patch.

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  9. Wow! Your quilt is gorgeous! My favorite quilt block is the log cabin!

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  10. I love anything that has rainbows of color
    sharongalli@gmail.com

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  11. I usually say my favorite block is weathervane, but lately I have been avoiding triangles so I would probably pick 4 patch or 9 patch now.
    joyecox@yahoo.com

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  12. Your quilt is amazing. The colors are fabulous. I've never used these fabrics and am looking forward to a chance to win some. My favorite block this week is the tumbler.

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  13. Beautiful quilt! Love these fabrics. Thanks for the chance to win some. I also really like the quilting. I am always looking for fun ways to FMQ. I will be trying my hand at this one soon. My favorite quilt block is also the one I am working on, but I picked a long time favorite for this blog hop. I post on Friday. Thanks for sharing in the hop ... :) Pat

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  14. I absolutely love your quilt. the colors are fabulous!
    my favorite block is the log cabin. sew many variations.

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  15. Really beautiful and colorful quilt. Your quilting is excellent as well. Those fabrics are so vivid.

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  16. That is a beautiful quilt! I wish I could be there in Utah for your class. I'm SO bad at sewing even one side by machine, and the last one where I did both sides looked great on the front, not so hot on the back. My favorite block is Sister's Choice, but I haven't made any in years. Other things keep getting in the way. Maybe finishing the one I was working on last should go on my 2020 list!

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  17. Love your quilt. I guess, like you, my favorite block is the one I am working on at the time. I think I must think in terms of the overall quilt and not the individual block. Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com

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  18. Love the quilt. It's a Granny Square block for me. Always my favorite.

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  19. Such a pretty quilt! My favorite block is churn dash. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
    Kathleen,
    kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  20. My favorite block is log cabin, but this blog hop may give me a new one!!!

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  21. All time favorite is feathered star! Great hop!!

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  22. Iridescent Stars is the perfect name for this beautiful quilt! It glows so beautifully! My favorite block is the feathered star. I haven't mastered perfect points yet, but I'm enjoying the process.

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  23. I do love half square triangles and all you can do with them. Your quilt is beautiful and just what i love, color on a white background. Thanks for the great post and the shout out. You rock!

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  24. My favorite block is the pineapple, although I haven't made a quilt with one yet! I really like the iridescence of this quilt.

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  25. What a beautiful quilt! Sewing primarily with solids is a bit intimidating for me, so I need to work on that! Perfect FMQ, too, on this beauty! duchick at gmail dot com
    My favorite block (at the moment) is a half-square log cabin...see my blog post about it!

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  26. I could trim HSTs all day with no problem - I find it very relaxing. Lovely quilt that just sparkles.

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  27. Love your quilt! My favorite quilt block is the sawtooth star.

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  28. Beautiful Quilt. Wish I could be there for the Garden of Quilts. I like making Hsts with my Essential Triangle Tool. My favorite block is the Friendship Block in Blockbase. It uses Hsts and strips.
    Thanks for sharing. pmcrowther@yahoo.com

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  29. Oh my goodness that is so beautiful! I love all the colors you chose. Can you tell me the name of that gray fabric you used? My favorite block would be just about any star block. Love stars!

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    1. Thanks, Janice! The background is Silver Confetti Cotton from Riley Blake Designs.

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  30. So pretty. I love the design, and also love Quilt in a Day rulers. Just trim 2 sides, and perfect HSTs.

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  31. Beautiful quilt! HST's are a wonderful block as they help make so many other blocks like my favourite stars.

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  32. My current favorite block is Flying Dutchman, but that will change as soon as I start a new block! I love solids, and I'm finishing up my second all solids quilt. The all-over echo swirl looks beautiful; I'm going to have to try that when I FMQ my next one.

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  33. I think my favorite block is the Ohio star, the one I started with.

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  34. I love half square triangles too. They have so many design possibilities. Your quilt looks fantastic! I never think of using just solids colors. There are SO many awesome prints to choose from. LOL. But the solids look really great. Especially in this quilt design.

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  35. Your quilt is beautiful in the Confetti Cottons (I love them, too!) and your quilting is amazing...love it!

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  36. This is drop dead gorgeous! Love those solids!

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  37. All of those solids turned out gorgeous in this quilt!! I want one just like it!!!!

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  38. I don't do much with solids, but I like how they look in your quilt!
    My current favorite block is the Sawtooth Star.
    THanks for the chance at a giveaway.

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  39. My favorite block is the sawtooth star. But I like almost any star block.

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  40. Gotta LOVE a rainbow quilt!! Thanks for sharing tips with the Hop. My favorite blocks are made of squares, HSTs, umm... Lucky thing I don't have to choose just one! :o))

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  41. I love the quilt Deon! I’m such a fan of these multi color solid quilts. I’m not sure my favorite block because I’m like you and love each thing I’m working on the best. I do love appliqué blocks, pinwheel block and star block are all at the top of my list.

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  42. Beautiful quilt: I love it in solids, I love the soft grey background, and the swirl quilting looks so pretty on it! Great finish!! Hugs, H

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  43. Your quilt is so beautiful. My favorite is a star block.

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  44. I like Churn Dash and a ton of others too.

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  45. Just beautiful!!! I love how many blocks you can make with half square triangles :) xx

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  46. What a lovely quilt! Right now I really like the Wild Goose Chase block, but my favorite changes with each new project. ;o)

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  47. That is a beautiful quilt! LOVE the color movement in it!! I too LOVE the 1/2 square and its Versatility!

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  48. I like HSTs and any star block. Your quilt is beautiful!

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  49. I love the colors in this quilt and also love HST's!! Thanks for sharing! I'm going to have to find some of those Confetti Cottons!

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  50. Applique and star blocks are my current favorites. I love the solid colors. It is a refreshing change from my last few projects. Thanks for sharing.

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  51. Pretty quilt! And a nice job spiraling!

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  52. Beautiful! I love HSTs myself!

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  53. Beautiful quilt. My favorite block would have to be whatever I'm working on at the time too. I can't choose just one. Thank you for a great giveaway. Those fabrics look so fun.

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  54. Love your quilt and the fabulous colors!!! One of my fav's is the pickle dish!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win those beautiful fabrics!!!

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  55. Fun quilt! I’m loving the use of beautiful solids!

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So happy you stopped by for a visit! Thank you!