Monday, April 15, 2019

Design Wall - Alamo Stars

This project started as a 2012 leader-ender project. Blocks were made slowly over the years, here and there from time to time, sewn in between piecing the other quilts that made their way through my quilt studio over the years. 

Alamo Stars


Wow that's beautiful if I do say so myself!
I prefer rectangular quilts, so I'm thinking of rearranging the blocks into a layout of 16 stars across by 18 stars down. 
Alamo stars sewn into 4 patch blocks
The fact that in the past 7 years I have never put the blocks on the design wall together is a testament to the fact that quiltmaking is really all about the process (for me). I just love playing with colour and fabrics, and constructing quilt blocks! I did not have a vision of what I was making or how big it would be at the beginning. I just started making little blocks for fun. It might have become a mug mat, or a placemat, or a table runner. But it has grown into a wall hanging now and I don't really want to make any more as I feel done with making this block.




Thank you to Bonnie Hunter for her ideas which revolutionized my way of sewing with the leader/ender concept. The blocks for this quilt were sewn together using her construction methods.



I have some muddy dark  blocks that I'm not sure about putting in. What do you think of these? They kind of don't fit in with all the colour saturated blocks. But maybe a quilt (and life in general) needs some of this muddiness to appreciate the colour?



When I look at the old photos of block construction for this project I marvel at my former highly organized self, dealing with so many little scraps. Each star block finishes in the quilt at 2.25" and has 17 pieces. This is a box that Julie sent me many many years ago that was perfect for keeping my strips, pieces and blocks organized.

Thank you to my blog readers for their encouragement on this project and for occasionally asking about the status of the Alamo project. I really appreciate your interest and support over all these years!
Linking up to Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt.

36 comments:

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Pretty blocks, and I love the layout you choose. Such a lot time quilt!
Did you forgot to linkup at Small Quilt? Can't see your link

Jennifer said...

WOW! this is definitely one of the best quilts: EVER! congrats on the almost-finish!

Debbie said...

Wonderful! And those extra muddy blocks should be included. The dark shadows gives wings to the bright colors:) You are right...just like life.

Laura said...

Spectacular!

Deanna W said...

WOW WOW WOW that is amazing!! It looks soooo good. Have to agree about the muddy ones, they need their own place to shine! You might have to make a few more just to fill in some spots as you put the wallhanging together!

julieQ said...

Wow, wow, wow indeed! That is truly lovely!!!

http://blackeyedsewsan.wordpress.com/ said...

I have lingered over my answer because I love the blocks the way they are and cannot believe the blocks are THAT TINY! However, I think the ??? blocks will add more depth to the project not withstanding the angst they will cause in placement~:) Susan

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

What a wonderful collection of rainbow colors, and WOW those are tiny pieces!!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Very pretty Kathy! I think the dark might detract from the brightness of the quilt. That is a lot of work! Have a great week.

piecefulwendy said...

Is that ever a pretty quilt! Doesn't it just make you smile whenever you look at it? I love it. Give yourself a big pat on the back for your work on this. It is a keeper!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love it! I really need to cut out a leader and ender quilt and I have never gotten into that way of doing it. I once started one but then I liked it so much it became the quilt I worked all the time on LOL

diamondc said...

Kathy: You have a wonderful sense of color combinations.

Catherine

maggie fellow said...

wonderful project - have churn dashes that were my fun block in a box. I like the process more too.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That really is beautiful and amazing, too - all those tiny stars! It's interesting how we usually know when we're done with something and ready to move it along. I'll look forward to seeing how you finish the Alamo Stars up!

Chantal said...

For a project that wasn't planned out from the beginning, it is sure turning out gorgeous. Just love it. How big will be the finished wall hanging? If you separate the four brown Alamo Stars would you have enough to frame the rainbow? Just an idea. It is really beautiful. ;^)

MissPat said...

How about taking the muddy blocks and making them into a row to insert in the backing? I think the one in the center of the first column could go in the bottom right-hand corner of the quilt. I've always loved this project, but was never tempted because of the size. I do think I have the 6" version bookmarked somewhere.
Pat

Judy D in WA said...

Oh Kathy, I think this is another stunner! It's been fun watching your progress with these itty bitty blocks.

Nann said...

Oooh! It's beautiful! Your ongoing Texas Tears / Alamo Stars inspired me years ago when I needed to make a slew of Christmas ornaments. From what I see here I need to revisit this block.

SandraC said...

Your Alamo stars are just sparkling....they're so beautiful!! This is going to be one special quilt :)

Janet O. said...

Oh my! I have always loved those teeny Alamo Stars, but that glorious rainbow of them takes my breath away.
Personally I would be tempted to leave the rainbow as is--I never see mud in rainbows around here--just under them. I would want to make a mini quilt out of the muddier colored blocks. It has a beauty all its own, with the brighter colors popping out from amidst the dark. Okay, this will sound weird, but it makes me think of marbles left by distracted boys on a dirt driveway (which are still used out here in the country)--then a storm comes and turns it into a mud puddle, but the bright colors of the marbles makes it a pretty sight. :)

Sherill said...

Your Alamo Stars are breathtaking! I'm sure this quilt will old many memories!

Ramona said...

Wow! What a stunning quilt. I'd have trouble adding the darker stars in with those gorgeous bright starts. They would be beautiful on their own, though. Wow!

Louise said...

Oh, I've never seen these blocks before! You must not have blogged much about them since I started reading. They are so twinkly and happy!

Mary said...

Fun to get 2 quilts from all the stitching between the stitches. Great job keeping them under wraps awhile. Nice to see them again.

Angie said...

So happy to see all the stars together - it's been fun watching them grow over time! It's going to be a gorgeous quilt!!!

Karrin Hurd said...

Great blocks, love the colors!

Kris said...

Wow!! Wonderful, wonderful quilt top project!! I really like the dark ones but maybe not for this top!!

Marie said...

Lovely! What if the dark ones became a little table topper?

For the love of geese said...

You are correct, it is beautiful.

audrey said...

Wow, wow, wow!! So fantastic looking! I just love how the quilt blocks glow.:)

karenbbsnow said...

Stunning!

Sarah said...

I love your colourwash layout. I'm not sure the dark ones fit in but I'd want to see them added before finally deciding. It might have been a long time in the making but it is gorgeous!

Sandy said...

OMG...all those stars, it's truly gorgeous!! I go through periods of being very very organized with my yarn projects and then the bottom falls out of it...then after a period of time of dis-organization I can't stand it any longer and spend a day re-organizing again, lol.
Sandy's Space

cityquilter grace said...

such a pretty top....so colorful and cheery....love it

Michele said...

Love the star blocks and the layout. I would not put in the muddy browish ones. I don't like brown in general but the real reason is I think they would stand out too much and take away from the others.
You've inspired me to think about making a few of these blocks..... Thanks

beaquilter said...

I'm so glad to see these together! Looks amazing....try putting the darks on the wall and work outward and see if you like it or not. They are amazing!!