Sunday, June 28, 2020

Selvage Stars



I've recently added 8 more Selvage Stars to my collection. That brings my total of blocks to 21 and I would like 35. 


My inspiration is a c1880 String Star quilt in the Pat L Nickols collection at Mingei International Museum. 

I found out about Mingei International Museum from Sally (Objects of Design) and she was also a spark of inspiration when I saw her String Star blocks inspired by a different quilt at Mingei. 
This is an old UFO I started back in December 2018.     I made six more blocks in January 2019 and then six more in February 2019 and then set it aside until a few weeks ago when I decided this should be my new 20 Minute Challenge since I completed my last one. I promise myself I'll work on making these blocks for at least 20 minutes per day until I have my 35 blocks. 
For foundations I've been using some very light weight pages from an old insurance semi annual report I knew would be good for something someday. Thank goodness we now receive these types of things electronically.  My 20 minutes a day may include sewing selvages to the foundations OR trimming and tearing off papers (all trimmings of paper and fabric go into compost pile) in front of TV in the evening OR assembling blocks. 

I've definitely found a renewed interest in this UFO and usually spend more than 20 minutes a day on it. 


19 comments:

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a good way to make progress on a UFO (or any project, for that matter!) Thanks for providing the tutorial link. Like I need ANOTHER project! Sigh...

Quiltdivajulie said...

Thanks for sharing this - I've been wanting to make a string star something . . . and the Mingei is fabulous. I need to create a new bookmark for it (mine got lost somewhere between computers).

Jayne said...

I'm floored that you have that many selvages! I love that you recycled for the template. Brilliant idea!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Those string stars are really neat! I'm glad to see you pull it out again. Thanks for linking to the tutorial, too!

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

Wow! These are great! I love the yellow and red backgrounds! Thanks for the link to the tutorial. This goes on the "someday" list for sure.

gayle said...

I love these stars so much! I'm glad you're working on them again. (How big are these gorgeous blocks?)

cityquilter grace said...

oh yeah they are gorgeous.....very nice

---"Love" said...

Your string stars are great, and will make a beautiful quilt! ---"Love"

Margo Yang said...

Your stars block look great! A few years ago, I saw projects done with salvages, so I thought I would do it too. I've been saving salvages ever since. To date, I still haven't got enough that I can do anything with them. I'm afraid I'll run out of enthusiasm to make anything with them by the time I have enough! :-)

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Happy to see these again Cathy. I love the bold background colors. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Susie Q said...

So great to hear you speak of the compost pile!! that is where my too small pieces go.

Ann said...

Oh, these are lovely. Why didn't I think of using two different values for the backgrounds. Have fun!

Cathy said...

I love how you’re putting a strip of color in the center of each diamond to match the block background. Nice touch! I keep saying I’m going to make one of these string star quilts some day. Maybe I could use all my neutral color selvages on various color backgrounds. so many project ideas, so little time!

Linda said...

I’m amazed at how much you achieve in your 20 minutes a day routine. The red and yellow backgrounds really showcase the selvedge stars.

mangozz said...

20 minutes a day sounds like a good idea to make progress on something you're tired of working on. The problem is that it would take me more than just 20 minutes to decide what to work on. Your selvage stars look really good though. Where you work with scraps so much, I am surprised that you would have enough selvages to use.

grammajudyb said...

Love your chicken timer. Just using her would be enough to get me doing 20 minutes! It is amazing how small bits of time add up! I have 3 stationery boxes of selvage. I think I’d better find a timer and get busy!

QuiltGranma said...

Good for you! Progress helps make the blues go away! And in this time of Covid lots of folk are feeling blue/disoriented! I've been wanting to get back piecing, and then I fell, and raided up a big purple on my arm... so I am pampering it, keeping it raised and wrapped with bruised cabbage leaves, covered with plastic wrap or produce bag then with an ace bandage holding it all on. REALLY helps take the swelling and color down, and ease the pain. I broke the skin in my fall and the moistness of the bruised cabbage leaves is helping keep the skin nice and moist, and healing so fast!

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

It's such a great idea to commit to 20 min a day on a particular project. Your string stars are so dynamic!!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

They are so great!! And yay!! you are almost there!