Thimbleanna

Seeing Stars

I thought I’d pop in for a minute and take a yoyo break.  I’ve been yoyo obsessed and I’m spending almost all not-at-work moments sewing those darn yoyos to their quilt.  The Count?  Yoyos: 688, Me: 180.  I’m getting there!  Progress will probably slow down as the project drags on though — you probably know how that goes.

Before I started sewing the yoyos down, I managed to make a few more of the pieced stars that I started making a few months ago.  This is a project that will reeeeally be slow, but that’s ok, I’m enjoying the process.  I also had two happy discoveries that will make this project more fun.

Thimbleanna: Pieced Stars

I wasn’t terribly happy with my joining stitches and I remembered that MeMum always used silk thread when she was stitching applique blocks.  I decided to order a few spools and it makes all the difference.  The silk thread is so fine, it gets partially buried into the fabric.  Yay for less visible stitches!

Thimbleanna: Pieced Stars

I also realized that one little charm square will give me 3 or 4 diamond pieces.  A charm pack has 42 different prints, so that means that two charm square packs will make 42 different stars.  That’s perfect for my scrappy stars.  My Avalon and Glamping charm packs arrived with perfect timing!

Thimbleanna: Pieced Stars

I probably should be trying to come up with a plan or a color scheme for these stars. Maybe I can think about it while I’m sewing down yoyos LOL!

I hope you’re having a good week!
XOXO,
Anna

23 thoughts on “Seeing Stars”

  1. I love me some hand work. Both your projects look like a lot of fun. I was thinking about hand stitching some hexagons, but I am determined to finish those crocheted targets first. Thirty four completed squares! Yay!

  2. These are quite cute! I do not enjoy hand stitching, but I sure like the results of your paper pieced stars, mm, tempting ~
    :-}pokey

  3. I love the YLI silk thread for applique. I haven’t tried it for EPP before.
    Hand projects always take a while, but the result is soooo worth it!!
    You have 2 fun projects going there. :)

  4. I was about to say “Wow, that sounds like too much hand stitching for me” until I remembered that I just handquilted two king size quilts. Love the yoyo idea. I have a cushion along the same lines (though I put the yoyos too regularly and too far apart so it needs attention).

  5. Very pretty Anna. I started that crazy Hexy MF with Katy of imagingermonkey a few months ago, like this a looooong term project. But I am wishing I had done the yoyos too. We are nuts!

  6. Love your stars! I’m making some for a BOM Christmas quilt that I’m making and I love how easily they go together. Can’t wait to see your quilt. Love your header too!

  7. super fun hexies – beware, they can be super addictive!
    I love applique with silk. If you have any knotting problems, try bees wax, it’s the bees knees (well, wax actually) lol :)

  8. I think you have just as many quilts going at once as I do! I love all of your projects and you order the funnest (yes, I just made that a word…lol) fabrics! Keep up the great work!

  9. I wish I had the patience and talent for handwork. I can’t wait to see what you end up doing with the stars. I will wait patiently. :)

  10. Oh the stars are so pretty. I always love your fabric choices. And as always, I enjoy your new header picture. Keep us posted on yo-yo and star progress –very interested.

  11. Those stars are gorgeous Anna! And thanks for the tip on the silk thread. I have filed that away in my brain for future reference. :)

  12. Your stars are great, Anna. I think the handwork is great too…when I’m doing it I feel calm and peaceful. Next I’m going to get some silk thread. :)

  13. I can’t believe you “fussy cut” some of those stars. You are amazing. ….there is nothing like using silk thread.

  14. I have some silk thread for applique. I found it knotted easy for me or caught knots while I was appliquing. Probably my fault. It is really slick. Love the header. I just got those little red clips. They are cute AND handy. I like that! Your stars look perfect. Perfect.

  15. Hope you’ve got your microscope handy for threading your needles with that silk thread. I love the stuff but have been known to be be stitching away and not realizing my thread had become un-threaded as it is so fine! …then it take me ages to get the stuff back on the needle.

  16. I love those stars and would love to try some. Thanks for the info on the silk thread. Do you find your needle comes unthreaded a lot? I have a hard time keeping my thread in the needle!

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