This week I managed to finish up the second quilt I am taking home to Australia…this one is for my mum.
So my Mum knows that this quilt is heading her way as a birthday present (yes she knows it is coming to her, because I am hopeless with surprises!)… her favorite colours are red and aqua so it is perfect for her…plus this quilt, with its beautiful stars and hours of work needed to go to someone special.
20 paper pieced stars, a couple of yards of Robert Kaufman Quilters Linen, spools and spools of thread and countless yards of red and aqua fabric and we are done.
I was smart enough to send this quilt out to be quilted and the fabulous Nancy Stovall did an amazing job. I actually left the quilting pattern decision up to Nancy and she choose a wonderful swirl that gives great movement to the stars. I love it.
For the back of the quilt I used a bunch of yard and half yard red and aqua prints from my stash. I also embraced the scrappy with the binding, using a variety of red prints to tie the quilt together.
As I was binding the quilt I got a chance to look at every star more closely, and reflect on what I have learnt.
My first couple of stars were a little rough….I did not use small enough stitch setting on some of them which means that some stitches at the seams are visible. I also was not as careful with the bulky joins in the some of the stars – I did not iron the seams open properly leaving a bulbous lump in the center of one or two stars. But 20+ stars in I was a pro – I had embraced scrappy, had finessed my process and was making kick butt stars.
This quilt really does represent a wonderful journey for me… and I am thrilled that my mum will get to keep it.
Quilt Details:
Technique: Paper piecing
Pattern: various stars by Carol Doak and Quilting on the Square
Quilting: Nancy Stovall of Just Quilting
Finish size: 65 x 80 inches
WOMBAT QUILTS 
What a fabulous quilt, Cath. Your Mum will be thrilled to receive it!
Cath, it turned out gorgeous!!!
Thanks. It is a little more traditional than I would normally do but I am pleased with it.
It’s a stunner! I wouldn’t expect anything less from an Aussie, enjoy your trip back home,
Thanks. I now have to work out how to get all these quilts back with me lol.
Oh I could look at this all day, the colours and fabrics are like pavlova, cream and fruit, it just goes together so well 🙂 One super happy Mum coming up 🙂
Oh I love a good pavlova!
I love this quilt. You have a great eye for color. Your mom is so lucky to have this.
A perfect gift for someone special! As you say, all that work on those lovely stars needs to go to someone who will really appreciate it 🙂
Mum is going to love it x
I think she will…if not I get to take it home again…right?
Lucky mom!!!!
Dare I say it? This is stellar!
Just beautiful! Thanks for letting us in on your journey. Safe travels!
Lucky mom! This is one of the projects that drew me to your blog- congrats on a great finish.
What a lovely finish! Fantastic colors and fabrics together. The blue sashing really sets off the blocks.
Wowwwww ! That’s a really beautifull quilt. I love it and I might star thinking about beginning it. Just georgeou!!! Congratulations
Emilia Montañés, Enviado desde mi iPad
> El 31/10/2014, a las 20:35, WOMBAT QUILTS escribió: > > >
Oh Cath, she’s going to be so happy, both to have you home for a bit and to receive such an outstanding piece of work as an expression of love. What’s really exciting is that I may get to see this marvel in person in about 26 or so day’s time! Not to mention meeting you, which is such a thrill!
simply beautiful… and Cath… did I mention it before ;-9 : I ADMIRE YOUR ABSOLUTELY INGENIOUS FEELING FOR COLOURS!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful beautiful work! This will become a family heirloom for sure. What did you do for a label?
I put one of my wombat quilts labels on it. I maybe should have done something more… You have given me something to think about.
I love the colors, the blocks and the quilting. You did a nice thing for your mum!
I love this quilt, the colour is so bold but works perfectly. Quilting is so nice too!
What a lovely gift. Your Mum has watched your star grow and learn and change all your life and now she gets to hold an expression of you in her hands. Lucky Mum!! Have a safe journey and hurry back to Portland!
stunning! what a lovely gift!
I love it! The red and aqua look great together!
This is A-MAAAAZ-ING! You are so talented. I had to call my husband in to look. Of course, he was like, “that’s really good.” Not even understanding how REALLY GOOD it is! Beautiful! Your mom is going to love it!
Absolutely gorgeous! Your mum is a lucky woman ~ there’s a lot of patience and love in that quilt!!
So stunning Cath! You mom is a very lucky lady :). I looooove that quilting motif!!!
WOW..this is a beautiful quilt. I was goggling planned scrappy quilts and this quilt came up. Love the rest of your blog too!
Scrappy is definitely my favorite thing. Glad you found me.
Amazing! I love love love all those super detailed stars.
Absolutely fabulous! I like this best of all the quilts you have made. Lucky mum!!
This is a really lovely quilt! What a great gift – lucky mom.
This is a seriously stunning quilt!!
What a wonderful gift I’m sure your mum will be absolutely thrilled to receive such a special gift you have made with love for her. Quilty hugs
I agree with the others, this quilt is stunning! I absolutely love the color choices and Nancy’s quilting makes it perfect. Your mum will love this. Fantastic job!
Lucky Mom, it is beautiful!
Fantastic quilt! You should be proud of it. The colors, the pattern, the sashing color – everything is just perfect.
This is beautiful!
what a lovely finish!
Your Mum is going to love this quilt. It’s beautiful.
Beautiful!! Planned scrappy is always the best. 🙂
What a fantastic finish and such a great gift. Its so great you are going home soon :-). I love the swirl quilting – reminds me of a koru design and it is similare to my husbands greenstone necklace. Anyway love the colors – she is going to love it!!
I’ve done some paper pieced stars and there’s quite a build up of fabric layers at the centers. I don’t know if there is a trick to eliminate that. You really can’t press ALL seams open with paper piecing, can you? Your quilt is amazing and your mom is very lucky!!
Lucky Mum! Turned out awesome! 😀
Thanks Madam President.
This quilt is amazing! So awesome! I have long admired your stars in red and aqua. Every day I read on your blog.You are pure inspiration for me. All the best to you! Many greetings from Germany.
Thanks Beate.
This is fantastic! I love the stars and I love love love the colors!
What an awesome quilt…I only dream of trying something that complex…Great job…your Mum will love it.
Thank you for posting this finish, a thing of true beauty – LOVE!! Your mum will be so happy. Man alive, this is the kind of gift I dream of getting myself!!! I have slowly begun getting together red/aqua colours for a similar quilt… yes, it is shameless copying!! Thanks so much for sharing this.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I am very flattered that you like my quilt that much.
What an amazing gift, and also an amazing chronicle of your journey!
As a fellow Aussie living here in USA, I have enjoyed reading your blog as it is like having a voice from home. Safe travels back home (I am just a little jealous) and I know you will receive many wonderful accolades from family and friends for your wonderful quilts. I too have just completed a quilt for my mother in law who recently went into assisted living in Melbourne and will be sending her quilt back with my two sons who are returning to Australia to do their uni studies. As you have indicated in your blog quilting has been very therapeutic and I too have found it a great source of creative inspiration especially as I thought I was creative impaired.
Keep enjoying this wonderful creative journey you are on and sharing this adventure with us all
Thanks Heather. I am so looking forward to some quality Australian time – sun, meat pies, musk lifesavers and lemon, lime & bitters!
I LOVE it!!! I think you were making these stars when I first started reading your blog. I feel strangely attached to this quilt. The stars are awesome, the quilting is stunning, and I’m so happy it’s going to your mom, someone who will appreciate it and love it. Quilts are the best long-distance hugs.
NEVER BEFORE I have seen such an awesome, gorgeous fantastic quilt!! I extremely love the colours and this kind of stars! It’s MAGNIFICENT!! Celebration for the eyes!!! Thank you for showing!
Susanne, Bonn, Germany
Three cheers for kick-butt stars in beautiful colours for mum!
Fabulous quilt. Love the colors!! I have been practicing the piecing and I love it. I can’t wait to
get fabric and make this quilt. Thank you for sharing. You are a bright star in the middle of Iowa USA!!!
Sue i am si glad you like the quilt. My mum sent me photos yesterday of her room which now has new curtains to match her new quilt! She is fully embeacing the colours too!