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Monday, 30 January 2012

Star light, star bright!

I told you that I had completed the Cherry Star top...


Well then I went ahead and finished the whole blanket...


I'm opting for 'blanket' rather than quilt, as it has a simple dark grey fleecy backing, and minimal quilting just to keep it all in place.  I sewed it up, right sides together and turned through.


I top-stitched just under 1/4" around the edge in dark grey, and outlined the star the same way.  Simple, but effective.  This is for the times when we, or rather I, really want to snuggle down and be cozy.




Without batting, it is really light, especially compared to the whopper Constellation!  But it is beautifully warm, I know, I sat under it yesterday evening and it was great.

So, do you like the background?  Be honest.  I know it won't be to everyone's taste, but I love love love it!  Its an IKEA classic which I had been waiting to use.  I sort of envisaged counting the stars in the sky, and it made me smile as soon as I auditioned it.


Thanks must go out to Chelsea for running the Made In Cherry QAL, it focused my mind on using my rainbow charms on a superb pattern that I had pinned as soon as I saw it; and I am, once again, surprised and thrilled with how it turned out.

I think I normally play things a little too safe; so much time, effort and expense is usually being invested for me to risk making a big old faux-pas by getting all adventurous.  But I want to change that, and make things I will love, and reflect the look I really want to be creating, not just making the things I know will look OK from the outset.  Does that make sense?  First attempt, I will deem a success.

So onto my Mouthy Stitches partner, who will also receive a leap of faith, with 3/4" finished HSTs.  I wasn't too sure I could pull it off, but Lucy's excellent and timely use of the brilliant method from Elizabeth 'Oh Fransson!' for piecing small squares set me on the right route.

I can confirm that it worked a treat; I won't talk you through it, the original does that way better than I can, but all you need to know is that I gridded some light-weight iron-on interfacing with 1.5" squares, pressed on my trimmed HSTs and off I went...










I really hope my partner likes the Cherry Star off-spring panel, otherwise this Mama will happily keep it! xxx
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56 comments:

  1. linda30 January 2012 at 13:16

    beautiful i love the ikea fabric for me it is lovely and your pouch will be as well luck partner !!

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  2. Sadie30 January 2012 at 13:21

    It's truly awesome! LOVE IT!
    Inspired using the text print, it is so cool!

    Teeny tiny HST's make me smile :-) I'm sure they'll make your partner smile too x

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  3. Rachel30 January 2012 at 13:23

    Wow, Hadley, I absolutely love it!!! The background fabric is perfect, so unexpected but brilliant! And I love how you just backed it with fleece too (must file that idea away for future use...)
    I know I said less orange but, actually, the pouch panel looks stunning too! I would be a very happy bunny if that came my way!

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  4. Judith, Belfast30 January 2012 at 13:27

    Cherry star blanket is awesome - love the background fabric! And your MS swap panel looks stunning too - lucky duck whoever gets it! Jxo

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  5. Unknown30 January 2012 at 13:27

    LOVE the background! Its so perfect. But then, I love marmite too...

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  6. Nicky30 January 2012 at 13:33

    I'd happily have both Hadley...if you are offering?

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  7. Leanne30 January 2012 at 13:41

    I love your quilty blanket and the background! It is such a fun use of colour. And the little pouch is turning out wonderfully. I debated using that exact technique myself yesterday but was too impatient and skipped it. And yes, I hope you continue to be creative and do challenging work because the results are awesome.

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  8. Judith30 January 2012 at 13:50

    I love the background. It is a bold use of fabric and just perfect here.

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  9. Stephanie30 January 2012 at 13:54

    I love it! I think the background fabric is perfect. I think it off sets the bright beautiful colors of the star wonderfully. I also love the idea of counting the stars in the sky. Great job!

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  10. Lucy | Charm About You30 January 2012 at 13:57

    I think it's so perfect!! I love the big writing and it makes the colours stand out. It really makes me smile and love your attitude :)
    The hsts are amazing! Isn't it fun?! Dang it, I'm joining in next time!! ;)

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  11. Jennifer30 January 2012 at 14:02

    hadley I LOVE the star - the backing is phenomenal!! Perfect choice and your swap partner will LOVE the pouch, its beautiful! great work!

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  12. cheeky monkey30 January 2012 at 14:13

    That looks amazing! I wish I am your partner ;)

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  13. Canadian Abroad30 January 2012 at 14:21

    You've made another cracker of a quilt/blanket and your Stitches partner will be thrilled!

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  14. lindsey30 January 2012 at 14:24

    Beautiful! I've used fleece lots of times,, especially for baby's quilts. Its so much faster than all the wadding etc. I do like the backing although I probably wouldn't have thought to use it. I'm often like that, think it wouldn't look good but then when someone is brave enough to do it it looks great. IKEA has some good fabric. We have a huge landing window and so I am planning on using some of their fabric for curtains.

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  15. Fiona @ Poppy Makes30 January 2012 at 14:33

    It looks fantastic! I've been eyeing that Ikea fabric for a while, and I love the way you've used it :)

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  16. Kati30 January 2012 at 14:38

    That background fabric is just perfect. You did such a great job on this. I am in love with it!

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  17. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com30 January 2012 at 14:49

    Love the rainbow Made in Cherry and that background fabric is killer. I really need to make a trip to Ikea. Do you think we have the same things here?
    Those small HST will make a great pouch for your partner. Can't wait to see what you do with them.

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  18. Little Island Quilting30 January 2012 at 14:49

    If I'm really honest with you.....I LOVE THE BACKGROUND FABRIC ;-)

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  19. Archie The Wonder Dog30 January 2012 at 14:50

    I love the background - I've not seen that fabric before but will be keeping my eyes open when I'm next in IKEA, just in case. As a numbers geek (freak?!) it would be perfect for my stash!! And I love the Child of Cherry panel - can't wait to see it in a zippy pouch!

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  20. MC30 January 2012 at 15:02

    Great choice for the background, it really makes the star stand out.

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  21. Kelly30 January 2012 at 15:16

    We may disagree on the marmite thing, but I definitely agree with this background! It looks amazing and I am hankering after the hst pouch big time!

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  22. verykerryberry30 January 2012 at 15:19

    Counting the starts, perfect! Really like that a lot! For the record, I like brown, especially with aqua/ I also like marmite- are the two connected?

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  23. Annaliese30 January 2012 at 15:35

    That's it, from here on out you should keep taking leaps of faith, because these are both amazing! I absolutely LOVE that background fabric for the cherry quilt, and I am sure it will be well loved with that super soft background. Yummy!!

    You've given me the inspirational kick in the butt to hurry up and finish piecing mine :)

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  24. Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane30 January 2012 at 16:08

    I absolutely LOVE the background fabric- love it. And I love your rainbow star. So happy you get to enjoy it already and snuggle under it. Glad you made something you love, love, love.
    And you can send that little brilliant rainbow of HST to me in the swap! I won't mind a bit!
    xo

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  25. Poppyprint30 January 2012 at 16:47

    The texty number background is BRILLIANT!!! I love your rainbow blendy star - very clever and the finished blanky is just perfect. Enjoy your snuggles!

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  26. Annabella30 January 2012 at 17:20

    We all know you are a quilting rock `star` and now it`s confirmed!

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  27. Cindy30 January 2012 at 17:23

    AWESOME! I love the background fabric - it really works here. You'd need a nice, bold top to pull it off. What a perfect chance you had here. Well done.
    Your little HSTs are just delicious.

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  28. Sarah30 January 2012 at 18:23

    Love your Cherry Star and that IKEA background - it's so different. I used that fabric on a bag lining before Christmas and fell in love with it. It looks very much at home with your star. Enjoy!

    Very clever way to create the offspring HST panels - will be great in your partner's pouch.

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  29. **nicke...30 January 2012 at 18:24

    you make beautiful things hadley! i love everything you do. i am always so inspired by your makes. and you make SOOO much! i love the text background fabric so much! i think it is gorgeous and next time i am even remotely near an ikea and i am going to buy some of that fabric. i have loved it since i first saw it. thank you tons for linking to that tute. your hst pouch for ms is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

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  30. Katy Cameron30 January 2012 at 18:56

    Oh I love that texty background too, but I've also not worked out what to do with mine yet! Striking yet another thing off the list ;o)

    Love the pouch in all its offspringy glory

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  31. Sarah PingsAndNeedles30 January 2012 at 19:41

    love the ikea background .. when I saw it on Flickr it took my breath away and I thought exactly the same thing re. counting the stars! Did you notice the other night how very bright the starlight was? wunnerful.

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  32. Sarah30 January 2012 at 20:04

    Love it.... not that I'm surprised.... lol That text print is perfect. Love the pouch panel too :-)

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  33. Catherine30 January 2012 at 20:05

    love your cherry star quilt and the background fabric. your stitches partner (err, me I hope!) will be thrilled

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  34. Susan30 January 2012 at 20:27

    It is a clever method , isn't it? Love the cherry star too!

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  35. Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird Quilting30 January 2012 at 21:10

    I love the background it makes the cherry star really pop.

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  36. Chelsea30 January 2012 at 22:12

    Your top is gorgeous!!! I love the use of the ikea fabric, it's such a perfect balance to all the colour.

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  37. Sarah @ FairyFace Designs30 January 2012 at 22:14

    ooh, LOVE the background fabric, it works brilliantly and it looks lovely on the fleece. And I hope I might be your partner, fingers crossed!

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  38. Benta AtSLIKstitches30 January 2012 at 22:27

    I have that fabric too, waiting for the right quilt! I use fleece a lot too, lovely and cozy! I like the way you did the postage stamp size blocks, I have done it before, but I just snipped open at the fold, I didn't think to cut ff the fold!

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  39. mammafairy30 January 2012 at 22:34

    That is how you made it all so beautifully neat! I love it and your partner will too! Assuming it is not me!

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  40. Katie30 January 2012 at 22:45

    Oh that is genius! I'm assuming that since you're my swap mama you don't have me so very lucky partner.

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  41. Ella31 January 2012 at 00:06

    That quilt is PHENOMENAL!!! You go, woman! Also, can I please be your partner?

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  42. Sana Saroti31 January 2012 at 00:09

    I love that quilt/blanket!!!! It's just perfect. I always wanted to make something with rainbow colors for me. This might be it!

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  43. Cascade Quilts31 January 2012 at 00:33

    The quilt/blanket is absolutely STUNNING! My favorite quilt yet in this pattern for sure!!!! The Ikea background is FAB too. Love love love!

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  44. Toni31 January 2012 at 01:49

    YES!!!! I love it! I have some of that fabric, too, but don't think it will ever be used on anything as cool as this!

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  45. Rhonda the Rambler31 January 2012 at 11:23

    The whole premise behind Marmite is you love it or you hate it - so you have so patiently taught me. Well, I am still sticking my spoon in the jar. I am just not sure. Not that my opinion matters all that much. My first glance says I love it then I look at it a minute longer and I am not so sure. LOL

    I love where your pouch is heading. I made a whole wall hanging (actually taught a class) like that ages ago using a large print floral, cutting it up into 2" squares and then by the way you place them on the grid you can get different designs (like hearts, baskets, etc). I have it hanging on my wall because I found it the other day - quite dated now but it reminds me of something.

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  46. Barb31 January 2012 at 13:18

    Your quilt looks fantastic!!!

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  47. AnnieK31 January 2012 at 17:03

    Love it! Some things just give off happy vibes, and I think this does :-)

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  48. Katie31 January 2012 at 18:59

    Gorgeous! I love the colourwheel effect, very pretty!

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  49. WandaFish31 January 2012 at 21:27

    I've heard that the Quilt Police are setting out to confiscate the star quilts of talented bloggers :(
    I'd be happy to rehouse anything for a pal ;)

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  50. Very Berry Handmade31 January 2012 at 22:00

    All gorgeous! Love the blanket - and love those fabulous squares.

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  51. Lindsey1 February 2012 at 03:30

    That background fabric is ah.may.zing. Awesome.

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  52. felicity1 February 2012 at 05:05

    The background is 100% perfect. I love LOVE Ikea's wonderful large-scale prints for backings. Plus, the fabric is 60" wide - bonus! What a beautiful finish, Hadley!

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  53. Inspiredbyfelix1 February 2012 at 20:59

    Yeay!!!! I love the star!! All that rainbow goodness..can't get enough of it! and the backing is great, I've got some of those large scale IKEA prints too...must put them to use one day...

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  54. Jenelle11 February 2012 at 09:32

    This is just beautiful! The background fabric is wonderful and really sets off the rainbow colors perfectly. I also love the idea of making a more simple blanket rather than doing all the batting, quilting, and binding for such a large project. I am still thinking about how I want to tackle finishing my own Made in Cherry. :)

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  55. Steffi´s Candy Quilts31 March 2012 at 20:06

    WOW! I just saw this quilt and I love everything about it. The rainbow scrappiness, the background fabric, the big star...
    Would it be ok for you if I would make a similar quilt? I hope to get a bit of the IKEA fabric the week after easter when my hubby has a few days off from work. I think it would also make good sewing room curtains. :-)
    I really love your creations! The small HSTs are gorgeous.

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  56. Kelly11 September 2012 at 20:41

    I don't think I could love anything about your Cherry Star quilt more than I already do. SUPER SWOON! I'd sleep under that every day, even if it was 90 degrees out! :)
    I've pinned it to my "Quilty Goodness" board on Pinterest (with proper credit, of course!). Feel free to follow me if you'd like: http://pinterest.com/lipglass/quilty-goodness/

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