Collaborative Scraps
January 25, 2010 § 22 Comments
Collaborative Lone Star
At the time, it felt like a crazy decision to sign up for a class the day after we got back from our ski trip. But I’m SO glad I did! My friend Linda and I wanted some girl time sewing together and decided to take a class from Judy Irish. Judy Irish is the long-arm quilter behind many quilts by Kaffe Fassett, Liza Prior Lucy, and Freddy Moran. The class was awesome! And Judy is a hoot! She is a great teacher, offering to iron, rip, make suggestions, solve problems or whatever needs to be done so that each student ends up with a fabulous quilt.
We worked on the Lone Star quilt from the book Freddy & Gwen Collaborate Again. And… can you guess? My star is made entirely from scraps. I made a point of digging through my scrap bins for larger pieces and didn’t put any thought into what I was throwing into the bag. As you know… I am completely addicted to my scrap bins at the moment.
Nothing but scraps
Now I’m trying to decide what to put in the background. In keeping with the “nothing but scraps” theme, I could piece together a bunch of whites, creams, and light fabrics. I love being able to say that “no new fabric was harmed in the making of this quilt”.
Oh how I love checks!
However… I LOVE this check fabric! Dilemma number 1: This would break my nothing-but-scraps rule. Dilemma number 2: The greedy side of me wants to keep the check for myself. The plan was to give this quilt away as part of my scrap-quilts-for-friends plan.
The patched cream fabrics could be the backing. Or… I could find another fabric similar to the check. Or… I could keep this quilt for myself and come up with another scrappy quilt. I just found out (yesterday) that the birthday party & the Lost party have been separated into 2 different events. So, now I have until the END of February instead of the beginning of February to finish three scrappy quilts.
I definitely see a mini version of this coming out of my scrap bins. And possibly more than one!
Scrap on!
Bloomin' Workshop 
Oh my your scrap bin is to die for. I love love love your lone star.
Yes, you have the best scraps!! :-)) I love your star and really, it will shine on either background. 😉
love love love – I said it on flickr, I’ll say it again – that is the best lone star I have ever seen!!!
I might need to quote the clever Katy because I LOVE LOVE LOVE this too, Anita! Really wonderful! I’ll bet the class was a blast! I think it was brilliant to schedule a class right after vacation — you kept the fun going.
It’s gorgeous! Knock your socks off gorgeous! The checked background is my fav but either will be beautiful.
Oh Anita, this is SO pretty! I love scrappy quilts, too.
The check looks fabulous for the background but I understand your dilemma. Hmm…
I love that lone star! I agree, the checks are fabulous… what if you keep them and make a “giant check” background out of the light scraps and some dark ones?
What an amazing star! I love how all of your scraps form such a stunning shape!
my vote is for the checked fabric.
OMG! I would definitely go with that check, is it black and white? It really makes those gorgeous scraps pop.
I’m reading that book right now so it’s great to see something inspired from it! Can’t wait to see how this turns out.
that star is amazing and the check fabric goes brilliantly – inspiring!
Say it in a sing-song voice…GOOOOORRRRRRgeous!!! LOVE this!!! Either background looks swell! I love the idea of the pieced creams. Use the check on the one you’ll keep for yourself! Beautiful!!!
This is just gorgeous! Love the fact that it is all scraps. I happen to like the check!
well this is one quilt I would have to keep for myself and YES splurge and buy yourself that check for the background, it really is perfect for your lone star. Sometimes we just need to make ourselves a quilt.
you can whip up another one out of the scrap bin for your friend 🙂
Kathie
That is the most amazing lone star I’ve ever seen! Gorgeous colors and great scrappiness.
amazing. I was looking to do a star pattern from scraps as well and boy this one is a beauty. right now i’m working on toothbrush rugs out of yards of fabric I’ll never use in quilts or sewing but can’t give away. I’m almost done with one and have all my scraps cut into srtips to start the next three. Thanks for keeping me inspired.! take care.
Well not that it matters I like the check background
that is a cool book a lot of inspiration in it
nice piecing
You are right. The star WANTS the checks. It is shouting that it WANTS THE CHECKS. I heard it clear over here!
This is pretty awesome! I’m loving the deep purple against the checks and you should totally keep it 😉
Oh my goodness that is beautiful! I absolutely adore it!
your star is amazing!!!
lone star and black / white check background — it is wonderful!! And I know how difficult it is to get those lone stars to be flat and accurate. I’ve made several – your scrap one is GRAND!