....because I've decided to do a couple of BOMs this year. And none of them are small projects. I did so well at resisting them last year. But I couldn't resist these. (Much like I could't resist Shelly's Summer Garden, which I'm still working on!)
I received an email from a LQS in Grand Rapids about this Feathered Star project from HoopSisters. I went up to their store to get some more details. (I found out later that a store here in my own town is doing it too. But I had already paid and signed up at the other shop.)
Here is a photo of the finished project. I love, love, love stars. Especially feathered stars. This project seems to have a nice mix of a "modern" flair with a traditional block. I love that about it.
And here are some sample blocks. Aren't they cool?! Get this....they are all done in the embroidery machine and are quilted BEFORE you assemble the blocks. Better yet, all the quilting designs are digitized by Sharon Schamber, whom I adore. I bought some of her embroidery quilting designs, but I've been too intimidated to try them. So, I figured doing this BOM would get me to jump in the water and try it out.
Look at the beautiful quilting designs! I'll be able to quilt this one "all by myself!" Excited.
These are some of the smaller star blocks. They are all embroidery.
The larger stars are pieced in the hoop, but all the "feathers" are embroidered. What a cool combination.
And some of the blocks are just quilted. This is going to be fun.
I knew immediately what I wanted to do. I called my friend Jackie, who hand dyes fabric and said, "Can I come over and pick out some fabric for this project? I want to do bright rainbow colors." She let me come over on Saturday, and here's what we picked out.
I might also throw in one or both of these yellows. Undecided on that so far. I need at least 10 fabrics, and I have that many without the yellows. We'll see how it unfolds. I feel like it might need the pop of yellow to set off the other colors, and I'm leaning toward the brighter one.
And all the matching embroidery threads. It's like being in a candy store when I sit and fondle these! LOL.
For the background, we need two background fabrics. I'm going to use Kona White and Kona Snow. I have been to two shops around here that usually carry those, and I cannot find a scrap of either! How weird is that?! Well, I'll figure that one out. I may as well buy Kona White by the bolt, anyway, I use so much of it.
I can't wait to get started on this. The designs came with great instructions...written in PDF and a PowerPoint slideshow that shows the step-by-step. Pretty awesome. I'll keep you posted.
If you want more information on the HoopSisters Feathered Star project, you can go here. But I think you have to do it through a shop that's hosting it. Not entirely sure.
Is it cheating to do this all in the embroidery machine? Who cares. I think it's going to be a blast.
Well, it finally snowed here. But it was 1 degree when I woke up this morning, so it's too cold to go out and do anything in the snow. And a lot of schools around here cancelled school today, because the wind chills are so low. (However, Sweet Pea did have school.) Brrrrr..... I'm ready for spring. This project should cheer me up a bit!
Until next time,
Very pretty and you are all set to start!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | January 22, 2013 at 04:22 PM
That looks awesome!! I can't wait to see your blocks!
Posted by: Maureen | January 22, 2013 at 04:23 PM
Ok these look beautiful but I don't get the embroidery and quilting thing :/ What's that all about?
Posted by: Sue | January 22, 2013 at 04:30 PM
Wow, good for you! This project is so lovely. I've never made a feathered star block. I can't get over how beautiful they are. I have a feeling it's going to be quite fun to work on.
Posted by: terriaw | January 22, 2013 at 05:14 PM
Wow! Gorgeous fabrics and what a fun pattern. I think it's cool that it is all done in the embroidery machine.
My goodness, they cancel school because it is cold! It has been as low as -22 some mornings when my P. left for the bus stop. This morning it was only -6. And these are just the temperatures. I don't know what the wind chill has been. I just bundle him up good and send him.
Posted by: Lynn | January 22, 2013 at 05:46 PM
Oh my...I know you told me about these but wow. The feathered star and embroidery are fantastic. Be sure to show us lots of pictures. Hugs
Posted by: Cathy | January 22, 2013 at 06:03 PM
You know how much I love these blocks and the quilting. Yours are going to be beautiful. I love the fabrics you are using. I can't wait to see the finished quilt! It's going to be awesome!
Posted by: carolld | January 22, 2013 at 06:04 PM
Gorgeous! What a beautiful quilt it will be. It is definitely not cheating when you embroider! The feathers are so pretty. I love the fabrics you chose too!
I thought about you today when they said some schools were closed. Stay warm!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | January 22, 2013 at 07:16 PM
Oh, how beautiful! I didn't realize that it was embroidery at first....so cool!
Posted by: Carla | January 22, 2013 at 11:12 PM
Oooh, it looks like so much fun -- it's beautiful. I LOVE the colors you've chosen -- this will be a fun project to watch unfold. (And repeat after me...Moda Bella...Moda Bella...Moda Bella...!)
Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 23, 2013 at 08:51 AM
Ooh, I love that! I saw it in the email from Bernina Sewing Center, but didn't really "get" it until seeing your close-ups. No worries about points not matching in this quilt! :) can't wait to see your progress.
Posted by: Lisa Ruble | January 23, 2013 at 08:59 AM
silly girl....
can't wait to see your progress!!
Posted by: Brooke | January 23, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Very cool - feathered stars without having to match anthing!!! I hadn't played with my embroidery attachment in YEARS and just got it out last weekend because I found some great crosses to embroider (it took HOURS but I got all 10 of them completed). I went out to the Hoopsisters site and they are going to be at a shop in Vegas on the 12th of next month. I'll have to go check them out - that may be dangerous to my bank account though. Looking forward to watching your progress.
Posted by: Deb | January 23, 2013 at 03:49 PM
oh, my! This will be awesome!
Posted by: jenclair | January 23, 2013 at 07:13 PM
Oh....my....goodness!!! I cannot wait to see your quilt. This is so beautiful! And I love your fabric choices. They are perfect!
Posted by: Cindy | January 24, 2013 at 07:24 AM
I did a Hoop Sisters BOM a couple years ago! It was a lot of fun!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | January 24, 2013 at 08:00 AM
This looks absolutely luscious! I can see why you fell in love with it; I would have done the same. The colors are gorgeous, and I know you will have a great time doing this quilt. Is this the one for the new hoop?
Posted by: PegVan | January 24, 2013 at 06:32 PM
Oooh, are you ever going to love doing those feathered stars! They are so beautiful. I was super good last year and didn't start any boms - so I'm signing up for two BOM's this year and doing a third one online. Sometimes you just have to, Right? I also think your quilt needs a bit of that bright yellow to make it pop.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | January 28, 2013 at 03:32 PM