Tuesday, November 8, 2016

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.

21 comments:

  1. Your Shooting Stars quilt looks fabulous!

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  2. I love our Shooting Stars quilt. It is a great stash busting pattern. Thanks, too, for the link to Backside Fabrics. I'm not one to piece backs so this resource is helpful.

    I love the trick or treat bags. What a great use of your embroidery machine. Their names make the bags extra special.

    I'm so happy you won my giveaway and I can't wait to see what you purchase with the gift certificate. Fat Quarter Shop always offers the best fabrics and great customer service.

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  3. Your quilt of Shooting Stars is gorgeous in your scrappy colors and I love the gray fabric with these colors. Your binding is perfect for this quilt. Congratulations on your winnings. Halloween certainly did come and leave super fast. We are now rushing right into Thanksgiving. Blessings...

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  4. Gorgeous quilt Mary! And congrat's on your winnings too. Have a happy day!

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  5. Mary, your shooting star quilt is beautiful!!!! I really love the gray you used with the bright colours.

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  6. What a lovely quilt that is! I love the fall colors and that pattern is certainly perfect. WTG! Nice Halloween projects too.

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  7. What a great use of scraps, the Shooting Stars lookfabulous...
    Cute Halloween Bags and enjoy your win.

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  8. your stars are a hit no doubt...bright, love those colours and halloween bags such a treat x lol

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  9. This turned out beautiful in those fabrics and I love the quilting!

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  10. Beautiful quilt you tested! Nicely done! I love the two Halloween bags -- how fun those are!! :)

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  11. Congrats on your win! Have fun shopping. Thanks again for testing my pattern. Love how your quilt turned out!

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  12. I love that quilt--with it's subtle zig-zag, and fun stars! Lucky you on the FQS giveaway--I look forward to seeing what you've decided to grab. Fun Halloween bags--so your machine does embroidery, too? You have mad skills!

    Happy fall--love that poinsettia--

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  13. That's exciting you won Jeanna's giveaway. Congratulations! I love the fabrics you chose for the star quilt and the quilting really makes it sing.

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  14. I like the grey with those vibrant colours very much. Really makes the stars pop. You made the perfect choice for the binding. I thought the quilting was pretty on the front, then I saw the back. It looks amazing on that backing fabric. It is a beautiful quilt, Mary! Rest of your sewing projects are lovely. You did a great job with the improv quilting. I hope you will take a photo of the red poinsettia. Enjoy your win!

    -Soma

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  15. Beautiful quilt Mary and congrats on your win!

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  16. You have treated us to a wonderful show and tell: the improv blocks and the spelling bee blocks are great, the trick-or-treat bags are precious and your poinsettia shows great promise of colorful leaves to come-- but that quilt, it is truly wonderful! Well done!!

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  17. Shooting Stars is great. I love how those reds and yellows pop on the grey background fabric. I have seen Emily's and yours is quite different. Very pretty, especially with the scrappy binding.

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  18. The shooting star quilt is lovely. I like the Baptist Fan quilting. I

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