I've finished another "Bonnie" project - at least this top is finished. The stars are on point, and the quilt top is 72 x 82 inches. I was pleasantly surprised to find this quilt went together very accurately, despite my occasional ... uhhhmmmm ... casual sewing. Try it - you'll like it!
NO shirts were hurt during the making of this quilt top. I HAD shirtings (thanks Keepsake Catalog) and also a lot of blues from my stash. (My REAL shirts are under one of the beds, somewhere here.)
Total purchases for this quilt top was one quarter yard that I ended up not using.
The border? LOVE those teensy triangles -- bonus pieces (1 inch finished) from all the quick corners in the quilt. (I also have a bunch of finished RED teensy one-inch triangles, put away for another time.) They 'neaten' up the project, don't they?
I may hand quilt this one, but it's finished to this point. Thanks Bonnie!
Now, on another subject, I have decided, in 2008, to track all my quilting costs - a daunting process to actually face the truth, but I've started an Excel spreadsheet, and every single penny spent on any aspect of sewing/quilting/fabric goes on that spreadsheet. This idea came from Judy Laquidara. I also decided to add each amount of fabric IN, vs. each amount of fabric OUT (or done). If any of you can suggest how much fabric is "in" a certain size quilt top, please feel free to comment. I'm guessing Baby Quilt Top = about 2 yards. Lap Quilt = about 5 yards. After that, no guess at all! OK, backings are pretty easy. Believe it or not, I HAVE definitely seen a slight reduction in my stash - at least most of the fabric drawers actually close, but I've also moved a lot to under-the-bed storage boxes, so maybe I'm fooling myself.
Three nice little quilts went to Project Linus, so they are OUT THE DOOR! YEAH for me, and YEAH for nice gifts to children.
Beautiful quilt. I have looked at this pattern often and want to try it but I seem to start something different. Bonnie's patterns are great and she is so genourous to put them up for free. T am tempted very tempted looking at yours to start one. I have to stay focused on what I have going. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteElaine, this quilt is stunning! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying really hard to avoid purchasing much fabric this year. I started going through boxes and boxes of fabric recently and I have so much I want to play with. My silent goal is to just buy what I absolutely need i.e. a background print, inner or outer border, backing, etc. So far I've only purchase 1 5/8 yards for setting triangles for my latest finish. I have no real desire to buy more fabric right now.
One way to estimate the fabric is: 1.5 times the amount it takes for the backing. So it takes 7.5 yards backing, it would take appoximately 11.25 yards for the top. In simplified patterns like trip around the world, it takes a little less for the top. The more complicated the cutting is usually the more fabric it uses.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea to keep track. I'm glad you are doing it because I definitely don't have the patience for it. I'll be interested in the results.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea to keep track. I'm glad you are doing it because I definitely don't have the patience for it. I'll be interested in the results.
ReplyDeleteStar Struck is a beautiful quilt, Elaine. Great finish! I really like the idea of keeping track of both in and out fabric amounts and money spent on quilting for the year.
ReplyDeleteWow....your Star Struck quilt is gorgeous! The border adds so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm tracking how much fabric I use...it would be easy enough to track the incoming too. I have also wondered if there is an easy way to calculate the amount in a top. I noticed one of the comments above had an idea. I've seen this subject discussed before but can't remember where. :P If you get any other ideas will you share with us?
This turned out so well, it is just stunnng! This is one of Bonnie's that I'd like to make, too. Your fabric choices were wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat border of teensy triangles sets this off so nicely! I have a box of teensies too so I'll have to try this someday!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I am going to start making more of an effort to do pieced borders - yours really adds to this top!!!
ReplyDeleteI just figure backing amount also equals front amount... that is how I figure the yardage anyway!
As far as buying - I am w-a-y too far away from stores to "casually" shop so I always have a very detailed list of NEEDED items when I actually do get to a store - and thread is usually the #1 item! The last 2-3 years I've definately spent more money on long arm quilting services than fabric purchases, so that makes me feel pretty good - I have finished quilts instead of folded stash!
Cheers!
Evelyn
Pretty, pretty!! Love the tiny border, that just gives it that special snap, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI actually ran out of background fabrics!! and so could get a couple more. I am trying to use up my stash too, and keep track.
JulieQ
WOW! I am not one to make those "bonus triangles" but they look great - I mean GREAT - on this quilt!
ReplyDeleteI to have been tracking so far this year. It is time consuming but painfully revealing.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful! Love the colors and the fact that it's all from stash? Wooo Hooo! I'm trying to finish up some projects that I have fabric set aside for before I buy new. We'll see how that one goes!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteI keep track of my spending, projects and time spent quilting in an excel workbook. It's fun to do.
What a beautiful quilt! Those bonus triangles make a gorgeous border!
ReplyDeleteI dont even want to know what goes in or out here! Not that anything is going out at the moment!
ReplyDeletethat is a nice top & I love the little triangles!
What a lovely quilt! I love the colours! I kept track of my quilting spending a couple of years ago and nearly gave my DH a heart attack. So it's best to not go there. His heart could not take another total! lol I have decided to buy less and use more from my stash this year. A lot of the bigger pieces of fabrics that I have purchased in the past were chosen for a specific quilt in mind. I just havent' gotten around to it! I thought Paula's (Coffee Time) idea was cute about keeping track of the amount of hours she quilts! she was able to calculate her hourly quilting cost! lol Thanks for sharing! Have fun hand quilting that beauty! Keep well!
ReplyDeleteThat quilt turned out gorgeous! I love shirtings! Your teeny border adds so much! Judy convinced me to start keeping track of in and out also. It actually does challenge me to use more and buy less. Well, I guess I will know more in a couple months!
ReplyDeleteYour version turned out beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh I love, love, love your version of star struck! It is awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat thinking out of the box design - on point. That way the tessalated stars sort of finish because of the set triangles. Nice!
ReplyDelete