What’s on my Sewing Table? (and a quilting confession-gasp!)

Um, literally, there is a whole lot of non-sewing stuff.  Books, hairbands, socks, chargers, unopened mail…. But underneath the stuff is an actual sewing project.

Right now, its a group of fabric strips sewn together.  I’m hoping that soon it will be point sections of a Lone Star or Radiant Star block.  I saw a photo of a radiant star quilt block awhile ago and immediately went Googling for a tutorial on how to make one.  Um, I couldn’t find one.   I did though find the book titles of a few books that give instructions on making one.  I bought these two, used, from Amazon and after thumbing through them for months, I am just now beginning.

Honestly? This quilt scares the shit out of me.  Its the bias edges. Its my low confidence in fabric selection.  Its my inability to accurately piece. All of that is why I’ve waited so long to make this quilt that I think looks amazing.

I’m a lazy sewist – I’m willing to admit that.  (I’m also selfish, but that’s another post for another day.) I rush through pressing seams.  I don’t take the time to square my fabric before strip cutting.  I don’t pin match seams when piecing complicated blocks. When pin-basting quilts for quilting, I probably use 1/3 of the recommended number of pins.

These two pieced strips will only make 1/2 of a radiant star, and the fabric is all leftovers from other projects.  I’m trying to be patient with this project.  I took my time with the seams.  I pressed really well.  I might even starch the shit out of the fabric before sewing bias edges together.  Oh, and the book has me so scared of fucking up the strip cutting that I won’t be enjoying a glass of wine while working on this. Just so you know.

I hope to show you some more progress in a few days.  Either that or a wadded up pile of fabric.  Possibly lit on fire out of frustration.