Illuminated Indigo and Cheddar Stars

More square than it looks!  12" in fact

This Little quilt was inspired by a group of friends this summer.

We were together for quilt study and fun.  As we looked at quilts in J's collection - we were challenged to make a small reproduction version of one quilt in particular.

The illuminated indigo and cheddar stars glow with the light of summer sunshine.  The original quilt is glorious with glazed chintz in the center of the stars.

Who could resist?

Not I!





This is a picture of the antique original with one of the little reproduction quilts.

While we were not able to come up with just the right stripe, we did capture the essence of the quilt.

The little reproductions are machine pieced 4" stars, set with an alternate block.  The pieces are hand quilted.

They serve as a wonderful memory of good times spent with friends, enjoying quilts and conversation.  I think I will add all of our names on the tag to commemorate the summer of 2014!

We had hoped to find a stripe similar to the original, but this print was the end choice.  Sometimes you go with what you have!

These are the stars auditioning for their new home.

It doesn't take long to make five machine pieced stars.  That's is part of the fun of a simple little quilt.

Let the fabric add the drama.








The backing was an exciting choice.  The original has vegetable dyed brown linen.

My friend graciously and generously dyed linen for backing.  Our first attempt was with coffee as dye and didn't achieve the look we wanted.  Isn't this great?  It looks just like antique vegetable dye.

Here you can also see the blue thread - yes, the antique is quilted in blue thread!  However, it is a double line fan.  The little quilts are a single line fan.





The binding on the original is a wonderful eccentric indigo print.  We used a licensed Andover reproduction from The International Quilt Study Center.

Fussy cutting this from the stripe, captured the eccentric print perfectly.

I am very happy with how this little piece turned out.

I did wake up Velma to let her know the hand quilting was finished.

She was interested, but then went back to her nap.

I suspect she might like a nap on this little quilt if it ever comes off the wall.

We are enjoying some light snow today - and some stitching - maybe you are too?