Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Sewing the Alphabet - B

B is for Buckeye Stars

and Bullseye

Buckeye Stars - This Rainbow Scrap Challenge from 2019 is about ready for a wrap-up.  I put the finished blocks on the design wall.



There were fourteen "acceptable" blocks, one that I felt that was too dark and matchy-matchy for a scrap block, and two more "hybrid" blocks (orange/green combos) ready to assemble.

Hybrid Stars
My first thought was to "increase" the size of the block by putting it on point. (Did you know a block takes up almost 1.5 times the space of a square block when put on point?)  But, of course, that requires finding a setting fabric.  I auditioned several; a couple competed with the stars for attention and a couple didn't speak the same language.  I finally settled on this recent purchase that has a lot of the colors in it but is very subtle in design.


If I do a 4 x 5 setting, I will need a total of 20 stars so I will be making a few extra in teal and yellow.

 Layout plan - colors to be rearranged
Next up is Bullseye.  This is a project I started in a class at the NC Quilt Symposium in 2017.


Taught by Ann R. Holmes, a stained glass artist, it is an interesting fusible applique technique where the finishing stitching is done when it is quilted.  It is small so I hope to be quilting this one and several other small projects during this period of self-isolation.


6 comments:

  1. Hey, I thought this series was I-Sew-Lation A to Z!! :P
    LOVE those Buckeye Stars and fondly recall our Symposium weekend visit, Libby. Happy finishing!

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  2. That setting fabric looks perfect for your blocks, Libby! I've always liked those blocks, and it occurs to me that the Northern Lights blocks I've been making would make the same buckeye block, if I put 4 together. I'm going to have to take a look at that!

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  3. Love your stars, and that's a great fabric for setting them!
    I've got bunches of buckeyes I've been making for the last couple of years, with no plans on what to do with them. Hmmm...

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  4. Your buckeye stars are so pretty, and that setting fabric - love it!! Bullseye is beautiful!
    So you have two "eye" projects. ;)

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  5. Love both your B-eye projects! That setting fabric for your buckeye stars is perfect. Enjoy your time sewing.

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  6. I just sewed a lot of HSTs and Four Ps into Buckeye Beauties. I was trying to use up some green 4.5 inch units from the Parts Dept. I like what you are doing with yours. Pretty versatile block!

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