Sunday, April 25, 2021

It's a Finish!




String Stars
70 x 90

Whew! It's nice to be finished with this one! It was one of my oldest UFOs - started in 2012. Don't ask...I don't know what took me so long. 

I usually make my "string" quilts from strings (varied sizes of long scraps) but this one was made from strips all 1.5 inch in width. The strips were sewn to that green background (Kona Spring Green) 5.5 inch square and the background stayed in place (was not cut away). So those little 5.5 inch blocks were rather heavy when completed. 

Since the blocks were heavy I did not use batting in this quilt so it is technically probably not a quilt but a  coverlet. I hand quilted it with big stitches in perle #8 which is also called Spring Green.  I stitched through the middle of each of the strips and about 1/4 inch inside the stars and then I tied the center of the star. 

I made a scrappy green binding. 

The color doesn't show up very well but it is a green floral backing I set aside a long time ago to go with this quilt.  I kind of like how the stars poof out on the back since I didn't do any quilting and just did a little tie in the center. 

The star stands out because it is just two layers in that area - background and backing. The rest of the quilt/coverlet has three layers - strings, background, backing. 



 

39 comments:

Gretchen Weaver said...

Lovely quilt! I like that you sewed the strips onto a green square, that is what I would have done. This will be a good quilt to cuddle under next winter, the bright fabrics will bring some cheer on a cold gray winter day. h=Happy stitching!

Vicki in MN said...

Just beautiful! I made one like that in all reds and whites many many moons ago. It was fun to make, don't remember if my background was cut away or not.

maggie fellow said...

great quilt - the green makes it sing

Kim said...

AND....what a gorgeous finish String Stars is!! All those patterns and colours set against the green background is fabulous. That green was the perfect choice.

Linda said...

Great finish, Cathy. Well worth the 9 years wait. A lot of work in this quilt, good idea to tie the star centres. I like the way the stars show up from the pretty backing.

Angela said...

Such a fabulous quilt!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Your string stars are beautiful! I like the spring green Kona that you used as the background.

Quiltdivajulie said...

This is just so wonderful!!!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love the green in that quilt, Cathy! It pulls all the bright colors together really nicely. I like the way you quilted it, too, with adding the ties in the centers.

Sharon Kwilter said...

Congratulations. Very pretty.

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

awesome! congrats on the finish!!

Cathy said...

Gorgeous quilt finish. With or without batting, it’s delightful. I love how the stars show through.

JCH said...

Very nice! Happy and bright!

Rebecca Grace said...

Cathy, I love this SO much! That apple green solid sets off all your gloriously cheerful prints to perfection. This is a stunning quilt that will stand the test of time. CONGRATULATIONS on this long awaited finish!

Quilting Babcia said...

Love, love your string quilts, and this one is a real old-fashioned beauty! Joyful, and joyfully completed at last.

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a fabulous UFO finish, Cathy!! Congratulation on knocking your oldest one off the list.

Julierose said...

this quilt is such a stunner!! beautiful work hugs, Julierose

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

Wow! This is a wonderful quilt, just filled with scrappy goodness. Congratulations!

Annelies said...

A very beautiful quilt !

Ivani said...

So lovely. it is a beautiful quilt!

Sharon said...

Oh Cathy! Another beauty! How do you do so many, and especially when you do a lot of hand work on most of them? You're amazing!

Karrin Hurd said...

Gorgeous quilt! I love your quilting and choice of fabrics!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

It is beautiful Cathy. I need to get some of that spring green. It sure looks great with the fabrics you used. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

sewsaucysuzy said...

Love that quilt! I have lots of that green.. a great idea. Did you draw a line to form the star? and begin the string piecing?

MissPat said...

What a wonderful vintage looking quilt. Another labor of love with your hand quilting and tying.
Pat

Maggie said...

Great finish, the colours are very Happy. Hand quilted, makes it even more special.

Marianne said...

I love that spring green - your quilt has a 30s look, made modern and cheerful!

Deanna W said...

Your quilt looks amazing...love all the colours and prints. Scrappy quilts are the best I think!

Shami Immanuel said...

Gorgeous quilt. The fabric looks amazing.

mangozz said...

What a beautiful quilt! I've always loved this design but haven't yet made one. It looks like all 1930s repros which is perfect with the light green. Did you use a pattern or make up your own?

CathieJ said...

That coverlet is beautiful. How wonderful that you finally finished it and saved it from the UFO pile.

*-* said...



What a wonderful quilt! You must be thrilled. I think the way you have put it together is brilliant.
Kay.

QuiltGranma said...

Beautiful! It is quilted, so it is a quilt. To me a comforter is tied, no clue for coverlet. Love teh fabrics!

Cindy said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE that string quilt!!!! That beautiful green just makes my heart sing! And your blue RSC blocks are fantastic!!!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

All I can say is your quilt is absolutely beautiful . I can not stop looking and drooling over it. Lol. Well done!!!!

Ann said...

What a lovely quilt. Clever idea to forgo batting. Love the way the stars shine on the back. I pieced a string quilt once on muslin that was so heavy when finished. I hadn’t thought of skipping the batt.

audrey said...

So interesting that your quilt doesn't have batting. I'm very curious as to how it will wear through the years! Love the retro look and feel to this one.:)

Nann said...

The vertical orientation of the strings makes these look like diamonds -- and they sparkle!