Sandra, mmmquilts released her Lilac Love pattern today and I loved it sew much that I made two small quilts, aka wall hangings. While I was on my Yosemite vacation last month, I was made aware that this pattern was forthcoming and was asked if I would like to make a wall hanging. The first one made was Christmas Cactus Star and in typical rebel style, I modified the star pattern from using three fabrics to two and it wasn’t easy for an angle-challenge quilter which I am. I decided to make Summer Spin Star as a challenge to myself to see if I could follow Sandra’s pattern and I can say it definitely was a much simpler sew.
You wouldn’t think that the simpler Christmas Cactus Star made my head spin but the Summer Spin Star would since it looks complicated and seems like it’s spinning. If I wasn’t set on the name Spin Star, Snappy Star would have been my next choice because this star sew much faster and was much easier. I do like the two versions I made, one looking more traditional and two dimensional with the two fabrics for the star points and the other one more modern with more fabrics used and a three dimensional look.
I have to admit I spent some time choosing fabrics again but happy that to use the colorful Zookeeper print in the Summer color way with the citronickle text print which is from Laura Heine’s Happy Chance fabric line along with various colors from Basic Grey’s Grunge collection.
I was planning on making Summer Spin Star a small wall hanging like Christmas Cactus Star but when I added the Citronickle border (bottom left), I thought it needed more. Thankfully, Sandra mentioned that the Lilac Love pattern would include a baby quilt size which I then added the additional borders which I think energized the quilt. Also, I had the additional fabric and couldn’t pass up the chance to use the Zookeeper print for the final border. Summer Spin Star is a nice segue from being a late Summer to an early Fall wall hanging, don’t you think?
Here’s a closeup of the machine quilting in Aurifil thread in natural and like Christmas Cactus Star, I did quadrant lines. The binding was the same fabric as the final border. Summer Spin Star measures 39-1/2” square, a nice size for a wall hanging, a floor quilt for a new grand baby or a lap quilt.
Here’s a pic of the two quilts together; I love them both. I already have an idea for another one for a larger wall hanging and know which Star I would be making. I’ve learned my lesson and a Snappy Star it will be.
I have to mention a little Master Quilt Holder humour; while he was holding up Summer Spin Star, I was saying that lately he’s been showing more fingers and somehow his middle two fingers in both hands popped out. You have to take my word he did that since I was too busy laughing to take a photo.
Do check out Sandra’s post and the pattern which will be offered at a special price (not an affiliate link). Sandra designs such wonderful star pattern that are “mmmagical” and are easy to sew. It’s not too late to make one for the upcoming Holidays (big wink here).
