Monday, June 6, 2011

Virginia's Star Quilt . . . Finished . . .

Remember this project? Of course you don't, I hardly remember this project!! The last time I blogged about my Virginia's Star Quilt was February 14th!! (here)



So to refresh your memory, Virginia's Star Quilt is a pattern by Lori Smith for From my heart to your hands Quilt Designs. It's a great pattern that provides detailed instructions for making this quilt in several different sizes.

I got my center star blocks all done then decided I wanted to change the border.

So I added this checkerboard/9 patch border, but ran out of fabric. That's the last time you heard about this quilt.

Luckily for me, a friend had this exact kit at her house and offered her border fabric to me so I could finish my quilt.



So I finished up that black and tan border, stood back and looked at my quilt and thought, "oh no, that's not good." I thought the black and tan blocks overpowered the star blocks, to the point where you didn't really notice the star blocks at all. What a disappointment!

So at this point I'm trying to decide what to do, go back to the border that was with the pattern (maybe that Lori Smith knew best!) or go ahead and add the final border of scrappy half square triangles and hope it all worked out in the end.

I decided to stick with my plan and add the outer border to that black and tan inner border.

And miracle of miracles, somehow those scrappy half square triangles evened things out, somehow they toned down those black and tan squares. What a relief!

This is Lifetime Quilt Number Seventy,
finished at 54" x 66"
and has approximately 1,436 pieces.

I had a few scraps setting on my sewing table when I was all done and thought maybe I could use them for something.

And came up with this little mug rug, it finished at 6" x 6".

26 comments:

  1. It's amazing how much that final border changes the look of the quilt.

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  2. It's really wonderful...isn't it amazing how the quilt changes with each addition. I've almost given up more than once on a project...added one more thing and it was great! Glad it all worked out. I really like it!

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  3. You really have an eye for what makes a quilt look great! Love it!

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  4. Wow what an amazing border! Those little HST's really framed the quilt.

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  5. OMG I love the mug mat! Such tiny pieces!

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  6. You kicked this one out the park. Great job in finding that extra something that brought the quilt to finish.

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  7. Love how the borders worked out!! Wowowowow - Those are some TINY hst's!! :D

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  8. Another spectacular finish Thelma! It's beautiful

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  9. I loved the border, even before you added the 1/2 square triangles, but I am partial to black and gold and when they are combined with a simple 9 patch pattern it is a win win situation. Love what you did with it. Much nicer than the original in my humble opinion.

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  10. I absolutely love the pieced borders! There is not a bad Lori Smith pattern - I think they are all wonderful.

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  11. Oh my gosh Thelma, that is incredible. The checkerboard border was brilliant, but the addition of the scrappy half square triangle border was totally inspired. You are right, it brings everything together and makes it about the colorful stars again. Gorgeous.

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  12. It was so fun to see how the center blocks popped back out with the addition of the last border. It's a beautiful quilt. ...and your mug rug is adorable!

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  13. So lovely! The quilt has such a nice antique-y look to it that is quite endearing. Love the mug-rug too!
    *sillysally*

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  14. I remember this quilt ! Wow what a difference that last border made. Congrats! I love your mug rug , I use mine that you made me everyday !

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  15. Love it Thelma! The checkerboard is perfect! And I love stars! ;-) Have a happy day!

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  16. Wow, you completely changed the look of the quilt! Love it and your "mini me" mug rug :)

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  17. Your finish is beautiful. And it's so interesting to see a true work in progress and how it changes as it progresses.
    Debbie R.

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  18. Your finish is beautiful! Your stars are gorgeous and the border really enhances the overall quilt... good eye! It's much better than the original!

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  19. Gorgeous! Love how it looks with your border changes! Genius!!

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  20. Beautiful. And I love what you did with the border.

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  21. Hi,
    Oh my gosh, I love this blog. I feel like I am walking into a quilt shop with all the pictures. I hope this will get me motivated to get going on all those UFOs.
    I want to follow but couldn't find the follow button, so I'll bookmark you on my computer. Please visit me at my new blog, Ric Rac and Polka Dots. I'm brand new but have lots of fun stuff planned, including some quilting projects! Hope to see you there!
    Julie

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  22. oh I just love that mug rug, isn't it fun to use leftovers and make something special?
    me I could never put a mug on that I would hang it on my wall of quilts
    its adorable!
    Kathie

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  23. I'm not sure I would have had the endurance to add that final border. (I actually thought the quilt looked fine without it.) However, once it was on there...WOW...what a difference it made. So worth the final step. I think it is a great finish!! I liked it fine before, but now I totally love it. Congratulations on such a stunner.

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