Celestial Star Stitch-Along Introduction October 31 2017 3 Comments

CELESTIAL STAR STITCH-ALONG INTRODUCTION

We are excited to offer two virtual Stitch-Alongs in 2018!  (CLICK HERE for Girl Next Door QAL).

Celestial Star is a gorgeous English paper pieced quilt designed by Sharon Burgess of Lilabelle Lane that offers lots of opportunities to play with your fussy cutting.

Please welcome Carolyn Pytlik - fussy cutter extraordinaire - who will lead the 13 month Stitch-Along for Celestial Star!  Carolyn has been sewing since she was a child. In addition to English Paper Piecing, she likes needle turn appliqué, embroidery, counted cross stitch, fabric and cats.  You can see some of her other projects in progress on Instagram @cheshire_cat_quilts. 

Here is an overview of the Stitch-Along.  We hope you join us on this fussy cutting adventure!

In this SAL, there will be lots of tips and tricks.  In addition to completing a beautiful quilt, you will learn how to select fabric for fussy cutting and adapt it to your pattern, to apply cutting diagrams on your fabric, and to deal with awkward shapes.

DATES: The SAL starts January 1, 2018 and will finish January 31, 2019.

MONTHLY PLANNER:  Celestial Star is made from two units:  Color Bursts (9 full plus 4 corner units) and Star Bursts (24)

• January 2018 - Color Burst (make 1) 
• February 2018 - Color Burst (make 1) 
• March 2018 - Color Burst (make 1) 
• April 2018 - Color Burst (make 1) and Introduction to Wings
• May 2018 - Color Burst (make 1)
• June 2018 - Color Burst (make 1) 
• July 2018 - Color Burst (make 1)
• August 2018 - Color Burst (make 1)
• September 2018 - Color Burst (make 1)
• October 2018 - Color Burst Corners (make 4)
• November 2018 - Star Bursts (make 12)
• December 2018 - Star Bursts (make 12)
• January 2019 - Putting It All Together and Finishing

FABRIC:  Explore the fussy cutting potential of your own stash or use Carolyn's handpicked beauties.  This quilt requires 14+ yards of fabric depending on your fussy cutting objectives.  Celestial Star monthly fabric, paper pieces and acrylic template kits available HERE.

PATTERN:  Celestial Star is one of sixteen EPP projects in Sharon Burgess's book Quilting on the Go: English Paper Piecing available for purchase separately.  See photo of original quilt below.  The finished quilt measures 59-1/4 inches square.

PAPER PIECES AND ACRYLIC TEMPLATES: There are over 1,700 pieces in this quilt!  You can purchase the Celestial Star Quilt EPP and Acrylic Template Pack separately or as part of the monthly kit.

CONNECT:  The majority of the Celestial Star SAL will be run on the Red Thread Studio Stitch-Along Blog and on Instagram.  Follow both @RedThreadStudioOnline and @Cheshire_Cat_Quilts to stay up-to-date and to tag us on your Celestial Star posts so we can share your work.  To connect with others who are also participating, use the following hashtag: #CelestialStarSAL 

If you’d like to connect with people on Facebook you can join Celestial Star Stitch-Along Group where we’ll be posting regularly and encouraging people to share.

PRIZES:  There will be monthly prizes as well as a grand prize for one winner who completes their quilt top.  DETAILS COMING SOON!