Back in 2017, Deanna at the Wedding Dress Blue Blog, started a quiltalong called the Irish Star Quiltalong As soon as I saw it I knew I had to make the quilt. What could be better than a quilt full of scrappy stars and 25 patch blocks made of 2″ squares? Yes I’m crazy, but she also had an option of 1.5″ squares. I resisted the urge as that was too small even for me. My crazy has some limits. Well, that and I don’t keep 1.5″ squares of scrap fabric.
Here is one of my first blocks:
I just love that purple fabric.
I sewed and sewed and in the end made 159 blocks blocks in total – nearly enough for a queen sized quilt.
In April 2018 I attended a quilting retreat and started to sew the blocks together. While doing that I realised I’d prefer a throw/lap quilt rather than a bed quilt.
This top used 63 of the blocks and resides in my box of flimsies ready to be quilted. I don’t know why I’m aging it before quilting it.
Last year I realised I still had Irish Star Quiltalong blocks sitting in a project box. I decided to sew 25 of them into a square baby quilt.
That still left me with plenty of blocks to do something with. Rather than make a larger quilt with the remaining blocks I sewed them into two more quilt tops!
I had one alternate block left after making these for 4 quilt tops. I tossed it into the trash so I wouldn’t get any ideas about making any more of these quilts. Enough already!
Now to find backings and get these four Irish Star Quiltalong quilts, quilted, bound, finished and 3 of them gifted.
Linking with Quilting Patchwork Applique, Quilting is more fun than housework, Songbird Designs, Inquiring Quilter, Quilt Schmilt
I can see why that block appealed to you. The result a nearly unending series of quilts. I’ve been known to include any leftover blocks as part of the backing.
Congrats on getting these done. I did an Irish Star quilt too but just one, lol. It’s still at the flimsy stage. I want to dive into your trash and rescue that lonely block. Even though it was made for this quilt, it could easily fit in another quilt. I have made a few extra stars just to have a good colour balance. I saved them for something else … for someday. Enjoy! ;^)
Each one is BEAUTIFUL! I too wanted to die into your trash and retrieve that lonely block. Like Gwyned, I have put leftovers on the back. Well done!!!
I love these quilts. And, I notice you have a great collection of mostly bright fabrics which make the blocks just about glow! Great job.
Great quilts!! Looks like a good leader/ender project as I save 1.5″, 2″, and 2.5″ pieces. Thanks for yet another idea. :(.
Well done! I think I would have chosen to use the 1 extra block as a label on the largest quilt. But I understand… sometimes we just have to be DONE. Thanks for sharing in Sew & Tell.
Scrappy star quilts are the best, and yours are gorgeous!
You definitely made good use of all those blocks! Those scrappy blocks make wonderful quilts. Hopefully you can get them all quilted this year and get them off your to do list.
That is gorgeous! The colors are so bright and cheery. I’m doing the same quilt as a leaders-enders project. So far I just have some of the 25-patch blocks. I’m encouraged to carry on by how beautiful yours is.
Gosh that’s a lot of quilts! Sounds like that block is not only fun to make, but also fast. Certainly the resulting quilts look pretty! And you must be using up so many scraps. Good for you! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2026/01/28/wednesday-wait-loss-469
Wowsa, love this block and this design! Hmmm, I do keep scrappy 1-1/2″ squares so might have to try making up a test block in both sizes. Either way, this kind of pattern just thrills my scrappy mind. That leftover block could have been combined with a plain square to make a label for one of those quilts. Thank you for the QAL link and for sharing all of this scrappy goodness!!
Yes, its a great pattern and has been on my never-ending list forever. How many times you make it does not matter. It’s all in enjoying the process!
I just love this design! The scrappy and fun color really inspires me. Thanks for including the link to the original quilt-along, too. Your quilts are just beautiful!
Beautiful results. Love the Irish Star! Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great weekend.
Wow, pretty scrappy blocks and beautiful different version of the quilt! I love your colorful layouts. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring quilts and linking up!
So many gorgeous quilts! I also started making these blocks from Wedding Dress Blue but I’m not sure which bin they are in. I think I’ll have to dig them out and do something with them after seeing all of your quilts! Thank you for sharing on To Fo Tuesday. Hope this past week has been as much fun for you.
That is a great block – and so cool to make all those quilts with them. I love the “Why am I aging it” question – thats funny.
I love love love these!
How much joy does the world need? The answer is never enough. So keep on creating joy and beauty.