Summer diversions

Deep in the way-back drawers, I have a pile of these LeMoyne stars.  They're many years old, tucked away after I made several quilts in the same color range and eventually tired of it.  If you're a long-time quilter, you'll probably recognize some fabrics from those early days of the quilting revival ~ Jinny Beyers' prints, Roberta Horton's plaids, several from Judie Rothermel's first groups.  I moved on, but I always thought I'd return to these and although that's not what this post is about, I may yet.  There's quite a stack of them.

I brought these out to show the backs, actually.  I think this may have been my first hand-piecing project and I learned quite a bit from them ~ making window templates, seaming nice tight joins.  And pinwheel pressing, which has garnered some comments both here and on the Trip Around the World Challenge page after I showed the back of my early start on that project.

This is the back of one of the star blocks.  Is it weird to feel a little thrill at the neat way the seams fall in a LeMoyne star block?  I think the backs of these are almost as pretty as the fronts! 

I loved working on these blocks so when, this spring, I came across a photo of antique quilt that featured a variation of the Peony block (which is based on a LeMoyne star), I took note.  The quilt grabbed me as none have for a while and although it's been a busy few months ~ travel, guests, my TAW challenge ~ it sat in the back of my mind as a block I wanted to try to work out. 

This week, awaiting the next set of instructions for the challenge, I pulled out my paper & pencil, ruler, compass and protractor and got to work.  Acknowledging my inner nerd, I'll admit that I might find this as much fun as the stitching.  After some careful measuring, checking of proportions and finally, making the templates, it was time to put them to the test.

Whenever I try to replicate an old block, I generally don't give the fabric choices much thought as I've found that often, the first version ends up needing some tweaking if I'm going to make more of them for a larger project.  So once I was ready to go, I grabbed some scraps of a neutral Moda Bella for the background and pulled out a red and green which were near the top of the repro stacks.

A day and a half later ~ voila!

I've never seen this block variation before and I can imagine one reason is because it's a bit of work.  It took me some time to figure out the piecing sequence.  And because of pre-piecing applique, there's some thickness in the seams.  Cutting away, something I often avoid, may be the solution.  I'm afraid the pressing doesn't fall quite as easily in this block as in the LeMoyne star either, but I'll keep working on it.   A fun summer diversion.

Here's a summer diversion we didn't need.  Our beautiful honey locust tree, which towers over our two-story house, got hit by lightning one night last week.  (Incidentally, throwing us out of bed with the ear-splitting crack of what we thought was thunder at 1:30 a.m.)  Big chunks of bark peeled down and around, exposing large raw areas on the trunk, but with no obvious splits in the wood.  The arborist's opinion is that we'll know in a few weeks if it will survive ~ we're watching for dying leaves.  

So, what's happening in your neighborhood?

*** A question for those of you who work with repro fabrics ~ the background fabric for my peony block is Moda Bella Snow, which is more yellow-y than I want for future blocks.  Any suggestions for a lighter yet 'not white' background choice? 

Comments

[kathie]

I love those stars but that red and green block is just amazing! It is very unique with so many points…great job, I sure hope there is a quilt in your future with this block! nothing better then red and green quilts.
Sorry about the tree, Hope the tree survives its a beauty.
Kathie

[Janet]

The peonies are in bloom right now in my neighborhood. I love them :0) Your block with the extra points looks just right to me. A great block and the red and green repros - my favorite! I'm sorry about your tree - I hope it pulls through. I bet that was LOUD!

[Jan S.]

Wonderful blocks; the red and green is making me swoon. Loveleee!

[audrey]

I noticed that block floating around in Pinterest. LOVE your version! Too bad about your tree. It takes a long time for them to get that large.:)

[Lina]

I really like the scrappiness of your LeMoyne stars. My very first quilt is all by hand. Our instructor/teacher recommend John James Sharps #12 for hand piecing, that was 1990. That is what I use on TATW challenge. Love the new red and green block, look so clean and sharp!

I use and like Bella Solids Bleached White PFD Yardage
SKU# 9900-97 . . . is not white white and not cream.

[Barbara]

I was reading and scrolling...loving your LeMoyne stars...reading and scrolling....reading and scrolling....and scrolled to your Carolina Lily. I did an out loud OMG!!! That block is stunning!!!
I will like to make it...once you have it all figured out of course ;-)

[Ruth]

I spread some wildflower seeds in my garden beds, and we are waiting with bated breath to see if they bloom, or are just carefully watered weeds.

[Meredithe]

I like the idea of a "way back drawer"!!! Mine would be full to overflowing! Great new block - clever you for nutting it out! Hope all goes well with your tree.

[Kim]

Oh good grief that block is stunning! As are your Lemoyne star blocks!! Beautiful work! I've also used the Bleached White that Lina notes above. It's great!

[Dixie]

Major swoon over your new block! Its just breathtaking. Hope your tree survives. We live in a neighborhood which has a bicycle/nature trail running through it. Sadly, fires are breaking out along the trail this summer, and some really large old oak trees and fig trees are looking pretty dire. Hope they make it.

[Thimbleanna]

Wow Jan -- that new block is gorgeous. I've been staring at the picture. Are the little points appliqued on -- I assumed you were referring to extra bulk with the applique stem, but now I'm thinking with those little seams?

The back of that star is just gorgeous! I NEVER thought I would like hand piecing but I've loved the TAW, so maybe there will be a LeMoyne Star in my future LOL.

SO sad about your tree. I hope it survives. I feel like we're losing all of our trees. A big storm took out 6 big beauties many years ago, then the ash borer took out another 10 just two years ago. And now, the tree cutter will return next week to take the final ash that we tried unsuccessfully to save, two sugar maples that have succumbed to some sort of wilt disease (I'm SO sad 'cause they were the best for our fall color) and a hickory that just decided to die. I'm feeling like we're the science lab for tree diseases!

Have you received your TAW exchange fabric? I don't have mine yet and with only one row until I can use it, I'm hoping it will arrive soon. I'm afraid to proceed without it!

Happy Stitching!

[Sharon]

French Vanilla - Cotton Supreme by RJR I have used this for several appliques in red/green/cheddar. Love it

[Rachaeldaisy]

I love your LeMoyne stars, gorgeous choice of fabrics. I love your red flower block!! I could just see a whole quilt of those!

[Cathy]

I like Kona Snow for backgrounds. It is less yellowish than the Bella Snow.