I have a regular feature here on the blog. We have free patterns listed on the right sidebar of the blog, we have a book Country Girl Modern, we have patterns in our online shop and we have patterns often featured in magazines. We have so many of you taking those patterns and making them in your own way and your own style. The blog series features YOUR quilts made with our designs. We love the series as there is no higher compliment to a designer than to know you like our design well enough to spend your time and money to make it.
I had a lovely email from MaryAnn.
She writes:
“I have read your blog for years. I enjoy all that you do, so thank you very much. I found the discussion on adding blocks to the back of quilts very interesting. I have often done so. When sorting through the stack of my completed baby quilts, I came across this one. Here is the front (and back) of a variation of your quilt, Points of Interest, that was published in American Patchwork & Quilting April 2017.Â
I think the blocks on the back make it more interesting, and it definitely helps me by extending the backing to be large enough.”
Oh my, I love your version MaryAnn. I do like seeing interesting backings on quilts and yours is fabulous. There are several awesome reasons to piece backings including:
-interest. It makes the back look so much more interesting.
-use some of those “why did I buy that” pieces of fabric.
-extends the fabric you have. For example, if you need five yards for the backing but only have 4 1/2, the piecing can allow you to use that up.
-you can use up extra blocks or orphan blocks
-you can add a fun novelty print that will make a gifted quilt more personal.
Long ago, I often used muslin on backings…I don’t do that anymore. Backings can be so fun.
Now about the quilt, MaryAnn’s used our Points of Interest design. It was featured in this
edition of American Patchwork and Quilting.
Here it is laid out.
This has been a very popular pattern. Kelli and I taught this quilt at a retreat. It was so fun as we were able to see everyone’s own take on it.
There was every to black backgrounds to 30’s prints. All were so fun!
The border and blocks do not involve inset seams even though they look like they might.
All People Quilt- which is where American Patchwork and Quilting have their website, is where you can find back issues of their issues. Here is the link if you are interested in getting a copy of the magazine.
Thanks so much for sharing your quilt with us MaryAnn. I love revisiting our old designs and seeing your take on them!!
Before you go, I have one more thing.
Linda S wrote to me and would like some info on this quilt…
Linda writes: “I’m really sorry to trouble you about this, but I can’t stop thinking about this quilt, and I can’t find it again on your blog, which is where it came from, to begin with. What in the world makes that red star on the bottom right stand out so?? If you can direct me to the instructions, name of quilt, book, publication, or whatever, it would help me.”
If you know any information on this quilt, please leave a comment for Linda in the comment section.
…and another blog reader is searching for the Civil War Tribute pattern or kit. Do you have one you’d be willing to part with? That is this quilt…
If you have the pattern, I believe it would be okay to copy it and pass it on as the pattern is no longer in print. I am sure Vickie would be willing to pay for the cost of copying and the postage to get the pattern to her. Does anyone have it??
If you do, please leave a comment in the comment section.
Linda, look at Missouri Star website. Search Star patterns
The red star stands out because it is the brightest color in the quilt with light colors surrounding it. Then there are the 4 quarter square triangle shapes framing it. Not the same color as the other shapes in their blocks. The star is the most different in the overall quilt shapes. I absolutely love when designers highlight elements. What a wonderful design twist.
I love the points of interest quilt. It’s superb. As soon as i get caught up on my ufo’s it5 on the to do list.
I quilted that quilt with the brighter red star, but the only thing I can tell you is that is was made by Jan of Wisconsin. Jo, you passed that top on to me from her, so I don’t have any contact information about Jan. If she still reads your blog, maybe she will leave a comment.
I enjoyed reading this post. I too would like to know where to obtain the star pattern. Looks like a variation of a star within a star block. Love your Points of Interest pattern too. I think I may have that magazine. Another project to add to my bucket list.
I love the border you used on points of interest. I’m looking for unique border ideas and that is one of them. Maybe you could include a blog about unique borders!
I was able to download a free pattern at All People Quilt. Thanks .
That points of interest reminds me of a compass rose which is a favorite design element of mine. I really want to make that quilt! Thanks for the link, I’ll be treating myself to that! I likely won’t start it anytime soon, but I’ll start by getting prepared.
This is what Value does for a quilt. The background of the red star is red, not white as most of the other fabrics in the quilt. It has white printed onto it. Look at the star in the upper left at the yellow that is bright. It also has the dark background with the white printed on it. Same with the yellow and blue star in the lower right. I believe the lavender star is the same way, but not as dark a color. That is why they stand out more. A white background will recede some not matter what color is printed on it. The more solid color background will come forward to the eye. Also, the red star is surrounded by a white with a tiny red print, not much color to compete with it. The others are surrounded by more busy prints that do detract from the center star, not as much contrast. When doing scrap quilts, this is why some scraps will seem to fade. Say you’re choosing green fabrics, but one has a white background. It will fade and not be as strong as those with a a green background. Wow, didn’t mean to make this a missive, haha! Hope it helps someone. Sorry, don’t know the pattern. I do like it a lot.
Hi Linda, this is a pattern by 3 Sisters, called Henrietta using there fabric line called Rue 1800. It is a free pattern from Moda, here is the link.
https://my.modafabrics.com/sites/default/files/fp_rue1800_ps44220_henriettte_web.pdf
Rue 1800 seems to be missing the “double” part of the star. Am I looking at the pattern incorrectly?
I really like the Points of Interest Quilt. I found the issue but when I tried to order a digital copy of the magazine it would not work. Any ideas?
My husband gave me Barbara Brackman’s new edition of Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns for Christmas. I looked up the block used in the quilt with the red star. It appears to be a variation of the Free Trade quilt block, also referred to as Coronation. Free Trade has an hour glass block in the very center that appears to be changed to a square in this quilt. Hope that helps someone. Isn’t my husband wonderful? I let him open all of my Christmas presents this year so he could see what he bought me!
Yes. Yes! YES!!! Jo has shown us once again that sometimes it takes a village to make a quilt! Mona and Claudia, your explanations as to why that red square stood out were very helpful. Kim, your Rue 1800 quilt was just right for the center star of the block. And Claudia brought everyone in for the home run with the block name, Coronation! With a solid center of the inner star, that’s the very design in the quilt picture! A quick internet search with the correct name provided the instructions! (I had studied the picture and thought there were 2 main blocks: the inner star and the on-point square-in-a-square next to it. Imagine the nightmare that would have been to match all the points up for that outer star!! Silly me!) Thank you all so much! PS–You have to love Claudia’s husband’s thoughtful and insightful “Christmas gift”! :)
This pattern is similar but with half square triangles rather than hour-glass blocks in the corners. An easy change.
https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt-patterns/bed-quilts/spun-sugar
Jo,
I am working on my PhDs and my Civil War Tribute is on the list. I did start it in 2013 and life got in the way as I went back to work, packed up my house 2x, rented a house, bought a house, and now am finishing those things I need to. This one is for me but am willing to share the pattern.
Dee
Would you be willing to share with me?