Pattern Testing

I recently had the opportunity to pattern test for Emily of Em's Scrapbag.  If you are not familiar with Emily, she does an amazing job with scrap quilts.  Her patterns always help to make a dent in the stashed fabrics.  This is called Shooting Stars.

She recently showed her finish on her blog.  I love how the same pattern can look so different.  While hers is soft and quiet, mine screams fall in showy reds, oranges and yellows.  Scraps!  I enjoyed sewing the pattern so much that I added a few more squares to make a larger finish.

Don't you love the zig zag effect that is achieved?

While I would not normally use grays with these colors, this was a fabric that I had in quantity sufficient to make it.  I like the way it worked out and I really like the design in the fabric.

I couldn't decide what color of binding to use so used a scrappy red, yellow and charcoal.

For the backing, I used and extra wide backing fabric from Backside Fabrics.  This is a new to me shop and I was so pleased with their service.  The shipping was quick and they have a marvelous selection of wide backings.  The best part is that my backings came torn across rather than cut.  I always tear my backing fabrics to be sure that I have a straight of grain cut.  Needless to say, that means I always order more than I need to accommodate the loss that is achieved from tearing across.  I will definitely be using them as my source for the extra wide fabrics in the future.

Halloween was here and gone in a flash.  I added two more trick or treat bags for the youngest trick or treaters in the family.

As well this week I worked on my November MCM Bee blocks.   This is for Nancy. I am not an improv quilter so this was a wee bit of a challenge for me.  Her quilt should look amazing when finished.

These blocks went to Cindy as our final month in our Spelling Bee.  I really like her selection this month.

With the shorter days and cooler nights the poinsettia is starting to blush red in the leaves.  It won't be long before they are red.

I was a bit lucky this week as I received a note from Jeanna that I had won her giveaway.  I get to have some fun shopping at the Fat Quarter Shop.  Thanks so much, Jeanna, for the great giveaway and thanks also to the FQS for their support for all quilters.