Seeing Stars

The theme of this month's Island Batik ambassador challenge was "Starstruck." I've been arguing with myself all month about what to make. The rational half of me kept reminding me that I just had a baby three weeks ago and my sewing time has been limited so I should make something small and easy. But the irrational half of me got an idea months ago and hasn't stopped thinking about it since.

True to my pi nature, the irrational self won.

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This quilt started with a Spirograph image I found on Pinterest. Next, I acquired my dad's original (and now vintage) Spirograph set.

I chose a yellow, orange, and red batik and drew the image I would attempt to replicate as a quilt.

I originally planned to use 1/4" bias tape and six colors, but I quickly found the bias strips were quite time consuming to make and not as accurate as I wanted. I altered the plan a bit and decided that three colors in 1/2" bias tape would still convey the idea and fit a bit better into my sewing schedule.

I chose three fabrics from the "Spring Blossoms" line for the bias tape: Mini Dot in Cheddar (yellow), Floral Dots in Pumpkin (orange), and Mini Dot in Pomegranate (red). I chose matching 50wt Aurifil threads: #2135 Yellow, #1104 Neon Orange, and #2250 Red.

Next, I enlarged the Spirograph drawing so that one "arm" of the drawing was 20" from center to tip. This used six pieces of paper that I taped together. I used Parchment for the background fabric and cut it into a 42" square. I pressed it well and marked the center.

I placed the printed image under the background fabric and traced the design using an air soluble marker - which I quickly realized would disappear much faster than I would be able to work. So then I traced those lines with a Crayola washable marker.

I also printed a circle template with sevenths marked (since this design has seven star points). I used the circle to line up the "arm" template each time I rotated the fabric. The design didn't transfer "perfectly," so I had to fix a few lines to make them appear more "perfect."

I pin basted the top and backing fabric with Hobbs Heirloom cotton batting. The backing fabric is a tie-dye looking fabric called Tourmaline. 

After basting, I used my iron to press the bias tape along the lines, pinning it in place as I went. I joined the two ends with a straight seam just like I do my binding. I just made sure to start in a place where that seam would fall on a fairly straight line.

I used my walking foot to stitch just inside the edge of both sides of the bias tape.

In case you were wondering how all this is happening with a three-week old...

Yep, that's me sewing the bias tape down while nursing.

Once the yellow bias tape was stitched down, I repeated the process with orange, then added red last.

Once all the bias tape was stitched down, I decided I didn't want to add any more quilting to the background fabric. I thought it might distract from the star. However, after washing, I've changed my mind. The batting shifted a bit around the outside edge and is now a bit lumpy. I plan to cut the binding off, quilt the background area, then rebind. Lesson learned.

I used more of the red dot fabric for 2 1/4" binding that I machine stitched on.

So I guess even though this quilt is technically finished for now, it's still going to sit in my WIP pile. I will count it as quilt finish number 46 for the year, but it's going to be in timeout for a bit.

Any suggestions on how to quilt the background? Would you just quilt the outside area or the background that's inside the bias tape too?

The back is quite fun too! I love the design the quilting makes on the back! 

Overall, a really fun quilt! I see so much potential for repeating the idea with different Spirograph designs!

A fun challenge that let me try out a crazy idea! I can't wait to see what my irrational brain decides to do next month!

All fabrics for this quilt provided by Island Batik. Batting provided by Hobbs Batting.

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