Diamond Star Quilts - Book Review + Giveaway

For some time I had this voice inside me goading me, chiding me.
Shouldn't you try something more advanced?
Isn't it time to add to your skills?
How about attempting something that actually challenges you?

And every time I banished it. Shoo away.
It was comfortable. I am enjoying the popularity of the sisters, basking in the adulation of the Picket Star Blocks and relishing the warmth of comments for Mercyful Quilts.

Then I got an email. The voice had evolved. It was harder to ignore.
Barbara Cline asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing her upcoming book - Diamond Star Quilts.

Barbara Cline

WHOA!!! WHAT??? Who is Barbara Cline? A quilter, teacher, designer and author of six books.
Yes, I said yes. Immediately. I chose to make Twirling and A-Swirling Star from the book.

My choice

Oh boy, and yes it was a challenge. 

After 7+ years and 150+ quilts I do not consider myself a beginner but I am not an expert. Further I had never made a lone star type quilt before which makes me Lone Star newbie, but a confident newbie :-)

Step 1 Choosing Fabric - Of course I wanted brighter fabrics than the purple, gray and navy. But just three colors? And one of them is the background.

Paul: You can use all random colors.
Me: You mean scrappy.
Paul: Yes, that.
Me: I worry that using many colors may lose the impact.
Paul: What impact?
Me: I love the movement.
Paul: It has that energy about it.
Me: It looks like a fancy firework and the transparency of the background between the swirls gives it the sparkling effect.
Paul: So make it in warm colors

 

Fabrics

Step 2 - Cutting Fabric - This was easy.
Step 3 - Piecing the Strip Sets

Piecing Strips

Strip Sets

The biggest challenge is the accurate 1/4" seam.  I chose to proceed very slowly and check after every step. In fact, I decided to make just one strip set per day.

There was some seam ripping in the beginning. By the time I perfected my 1/4"seam the sets were all done.

Step 4 - Cutting. This wasn't difficult either.

Piecing 

Step 5 - Piecing the diamonds. This is the heart of the pattern and if you got Step 3 right, this should be not too difficult, although I was prepared to do some seam-ripping, if required.

The first one

This is not a lazy daisy quilt. This is not a scrappy improv quilt. Even the slightest bit of wonky would derail it. Very precise, very careful and double check everything.

Design Wall

I completed the first quadrant and then the second. I showed them to Paul. He merely nodded.

When the four quadrants were completed (final seams pending), I placed all four on the design wall, admired my handiwork and left for work. 

WOW!!!

See what Paul had to say...

Paul: You should call it "gender reveal party"

Me: WHAT??? WHY??? 

Paul: Because it looks like someone started a fire...

Me: I am calling it "Playing with Fire"

Paul: That works too.

Me: Your humor though topical is horrible, at least in this instance.

The book, on the other hand, is marvelous. 12 fantastic patterns and many tips and tricks.

If you are up to the challenge, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy.

Just then I noticed an error - a piecing error.  Two strips were oriented incorrectly. I could rip them out and re-sew. But leaving it in seemed more valuable a lesson - what happens when you don't pay attention at every step. So there it is - my mistake immortalized in fabric and thread. 

Finished Flimsy

If you can find it, smile, for we are all human.

If you cannot find it then don't bother. The star still shimmers just as bright.

Basting

Quilting in Progress

I added a skinny border to protect the vulnerable star points from the encroachment of the binding. 

Binding is the same fabric as the background.  

Paul, the model

Labelled

Playing with Fire

Shimmering

Paul: So what is the word, hummingbird?

Me: I have been weighed and measured and have been found wanting...

Paul: What does that mean?

Me: It means that there is room for improvement in my work.

Paul: And how will you improve?

Me: By making more of such quilts...

Paul: Good thing you have the book

Me: Lucky Me!!!

Walking Foot Quilting

Matched Seams :-)

A touch of Wonkiness

Looking Good!!!

Paul: But what is your book review verdict?

Me: It is an excellent resource with 12 terrific patterns

Paul: But...

Me: But there are many little things that a new quilter may not know or follow leading to a finished product that is less than perfect.

Paul: I don't understand.

Me: It is like writing a recipe.  If I am sharing the recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala with someone who is familiar with Indian cooking, the recipe will be 5-6 lines. If the same recipe is written for someone who is new to Indian cooking the recipe will be a page and a half.

Paul: Why so?

Me: Because I will have to explain the ingredients and use additional pictures to show the exact color of the sautéed onions - things the Indian cook already knows.

Paul: So what do you suggest?

Me: A Quilt Along. This is when several quilters make the same pattern together, 1-2 steps every week and share tips and lessons learned.

Paul: You are so wise.

Me: You are so kind.

One last look...

You may be so lucky so as to win a free copy of the Diamond Star Quilts. Please leave a comment for a chance to win. If you are a no-reply blogger, please include your email. I will announce the winner on Saturday, October 10, 2020. And if you do not respond by Saturday, October 17, 2020, you will forfeit the prize and I will pick another person.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

The pattern did not use the entire strip sets. What happened to the leftovers? 

I will show in the next blogpost :-)