These 8-inch blocks were made using Leila Gardunia’s “scrappy stars” foundation piecing patterns, and the fabrics are from my stash. I bought 25 patterns and chose the 8-inch size. Leila has many sizes and different block amounts to buy. “Circus Stars” measures 62.5 inches square as I used sashings and corner stones to link the blocks.
I had a really hard time figuring out how I wanted to quilt “Circus Stars.” Should I longarm it or baste it and do straight-line quilting on my domestic? And what on earth thread color to use that would also work with the adorable Tilda darker backing?
I loaded the backing on the longarm, and laid the batting and top on it. Then it sat there for over two weeks as I delayed making a decision.
Finally, I chose to longarm and to use the Check and Chase pantograph (Lorien Quilting) as it has great texture and curves that would work well with all the straight lines in the quilt. I used a parchment colored thread instead of a stark white as I thought it would be less intense on the darker back and with the colored fabrics in the blocks.
The quilting texture is awesome–and is perfect for this quilt. I am happy.
The backing is Tilda’s World “Jubilee” in “Circus Life” in Jubilee Blue (100E53). And the binding and the corner stones are Kona’s Silver.
Here’s a picture that shows the size on my 3-person couch.
Leila Gardunia now also has designed scrappy diamonds, if you are interested in that kind of project.
I really enjoyed making these blocks and each was a “play break” until they took up too much room on the design wall so the quilt became a primary work until it was finished.
“Circus Stars” is a happy, handsome quilt. I’m pleased.
