Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara header image 3

Star BOM

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*Click on the image to enlarge*

This quilt finishes at 92″ x 92″

This is a quilt pattern that I’m offering on my blog as a free Block of the Month type pattern. It isn’t truly a BOM because we’re going to do two blocks per month and setting/sashing/border instructions will also be provided. There are often give-aways on blogs and I’m not a big fan of that. I’ve noticed that blogs will get 2 or 3 (or more) times as many comments when there’s a give-away going on. My feeling is . . if you read my blog . . thanks! If you don’t . . what’s wrong with you? :-O

Really, this pattern is a thank you to my blog readers. As most bloggers, I’m thrilled with comments and e-mails. I’ve said since the beginning of my blogging days that I write for myself and even if I had no readers and no comments, I would continue to blog because I love going back to read what was happening 2 or 3 years ago in our home and with my quilting. So, thanks to all who are loyal blog readers. Thanks to you who tell me that sometimes my blog makes you smile, or makes you remember when your children were Chad’s age. Thanks to you who give me advice and help when I need it. Thanks to you who cheer me when I’m a bit down or frustrated.

This design is offered to you all free as a thank you for what you’ve done for me through the past few years!

Before we get into the details, some things you *really* need to know:

  • Every smidgen of this quilt was designed using Electric Quilt. I could not function (well, just as far as my quilting goes) without Electric Quilt. I love the program and I love the people who made it and who support the program. They’re so very helpful. I can’t imagine that every quilter out there wouldn’t benefit by owning and using EQ.
  • The design and instructions are my own and are copyrighted. Many of the blocks came straight out of the EQ library. A few of them were tweaked a bit but they all started out as an import from the block library. The ribbon border is straight from EQ. This quilt design, and my instructions are for your personal use only. They are not to be copied and handed out to friends and no part of the design and/or instructions is not to used as your own, or taught in a class, group, seminar, retreat, etc. without my specific written permission.
  • All instructions will be posted as .pdf files and Adobe Acrobat Reader will be needed. If you do not have the most current version, it can be downloaded free at Adobe’s site.
  • Only one block pattern will be up at a time. When it is time for the next block pattern to be posted, the previous pattern will be removed. So . . get it while you can! :) The easiest way to be sure you don’t miss a pattern is to add my blog to some type of RSS feed. You’ll know automatically when the blog has been updated. I use Bloglines but there are others that are good.

This quilt is going to be shared on my blog as a Block of the Month type project. My goal when designing a quilt is to use simple (or relatively simple) blocks, along with unique sashings and/or borders to create a beautiful quilt. I love it when someone looks at my quilts and isn’t quite sure exactly how I set it together or where one block ends and another block begins. As soon as I show them, they realize how easy it was to put together and that it’s something even a beginner can do. I do not make hard quilts!

This quilt is no exception. The quilt has 7 separate borders to attach, and while it will be a bit time consuming, I think leaving any one of them off would have left the quilt looking a bit incomplete. The sashing isn’t put together as one would initially think but the method I used makes for a less choppy look. The ribbon border is paper pieced and though I am not a big fan of paper piecing, I find it works great for blocks such as this - especially when points need to be crisp and there are bias edges being used. There are only two seams per block and the paper rips off easily. I used plain printer paper and had no problems getting it off.

Other colorations can be seen on this blog post.

The quilt measures approximately 92″ x 92″. There are 13 blocks. Instead of doing one block per month, we will do two. The plan is to post the blocks on these dates:

  • Block #1 - August 1, 2008
  • Block #2 - August 15, 2008
  • Bock #3 - September 1, 2008
  • Block #4 - September 15, 2008
  • Block #5 - October 1, 2008
  • Block #6 - October 15, 2008
  • Block #7 - November 1, 2008
  • Block #8 - November 15, 2008
  • Block #9 - December 1, 2008
  • Block #10 - December 15, 2008
  • Here we take a break for Christmas and to allow everyone to get caught up (and to allow me to put the finishing touches on the manuscript for my second book - which is due February 1).
  • Block #11 - February 1, 2009
  • Block #12 - February 15, 2009
  • Block #13 - March 1, 2009
  • Sashings/Setting on Point - March 15, 2009
  • Borders - April 15, 2009

Fabric requirements will be posted on my blog and I will add a link here when that is done. I hope to have them done by July 7 or 8.

Hopefully by July 4, 2009 (because I’m writing this post on July 4, 2008), you will all have your version of this beautiful quilt and maybe we will all have picked up some tips from each other — tips that will improve our quilting skills and make the process more fun for us.

Thanks for trusting me enough to follow along with me on this BOM.

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39 Comments

39 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Julie // Jul 5, 2008 at 7:45 am

    Wow! What a great job you have done with this whole project. I am in awe and can hardly wait to get started. I’m a little worried about missing some of the block instructions because of long vacations when I may not have computer access. Somehow, I will have to find a way to get the info while it is posted before it is deleted for the next block. I’ll find a solution somehow!

    Thanks for offering this wonderful project

  • 2 Pam // Jul 5, 2008 at 7:52 am

    Hello Judy….
    I have long admired your quilts and would love to make this BOM! Where do I sign up! … lol… I’ll keep checking …. looks good in all the color-ways
    Pam

  • 3 Linda (Petey) Fritchen // Jul 5, 2008 at 8:27 am

    Judy,
    WOW is not powerful enough! Can’t wait to begin…You really have created something beautiful. I admire the way you use EQ…helps to see the color combinations. Looking at my stash and trying to decide should take me till Aug. 1
    Thanks for sharing, Judy, and hope taking that picture made for a Happy 4th for you!

  • 4 Sue H // Jul 5, 2008 at 8:49 am

    I’m thrilled with this quilt. And two blocks a month — I can handle that. I agree, it will be fun to go through my stash and see what I can pull out. Thank you for throwing some other color combinations out there to enjoy. This will be fun!

  • 5 Vicky // Jul 5, 2008 at 8:57 am

    I’m so excited about this project! Well, I will be once I get over the fabric selection fear I always face! LOL. Thank YOU for doing this, Judy! You give so much to us ! (Hugs)

  • 6 Penny // Jul 5, 2008 at 9:10 am

    This is a perfect quilt for me as I love stars.

  • 7 Debbie // Jul 5, 2008 at 9:22 am

    This sounds like a fun project. I have been looking for just this kind of thing. I couldn’t see the other color variations. What have I done wrong? Thanks for this opportunity. Debbie

  • 8 bonnie // Jul 5, 2008 at 9:38 am

    Thankyou Judy!!! It’s a beautiful quilt and i think it will be fun to do.

  • 9 Karen L // Jul 5, 2008 at 9:40 am

    This will be a great and challenging project. I look forward to doing it.

    Karen L

  • 10 Charon // Jul 5, 2008 at 9:41 am

    Lovely quilt, just started with EQ6 so glad to hear that it can be really useful!

  • 11 shannon // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:27 am

    Beautiful. I’m horrible keeping up with BOM’s, but I hope to try. I always want to make the quilt all at once.

  • 12 neen // Jul 5, 2008 at 10:35 am

    Judy, could you tweek the picture with reds/tans? I would love to see how that works, beforehand.

    I LOVE this quilt pattern. I’m not usually a BOMmer, (too impatient) but I’m going to HAVE to do this! This will be one of the “kits” that I take with me, when we go to our winter place.

    I still wish I could get the hang of EQ but it just won’t click. Maybe, after the kids and kidz leave on their year long journey, across this great nation of ours, I will have time to just sit and poke buttons on it.

    OK, August 1st can happen anytime, as far as I’m concerned… LOL

    Thanks for your good work and smart brain, Judy! I appreciate it..

  • 13 pdudgeon // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:15 am

    Judy something i have come to really appreciate is how well you write instructions for your quilts.

    Looking forward to this BOM and to the new book as well.

  • 14 Phyl // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:18 am

    I’ve just lurked here for quite awhile, but I want to pipe up and say that this is a beautiful design. It’s the setting and two-tone background that really make it for me. I’m going to try hard to participate. It’s very kind of you to offer your work to us for free.

  • 15 Kimberly // Jul 5, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    Wow! What a stunning quilt! I really want to join in…….do you think the kids will let me stay on schedule! LOL! Can’t wait!

  • 16 Susan Fields // Jul 5, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    This is going to be so much fun………. I am looking forward to this break from the eternal sorting and packing.

  • 17 Karen // Jul 5, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    This new BOM looks fantastic. I can’t wait to get started.

  • 18 Traci // Jul 5, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    Thanks Judy! What a wonderful gift this is to give to us….I really appreciate this.

    Hugs,
    Traci

  • 19 Lynn Douglass // Jul 5, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    I love it, Judy! I love that you’ve provided the different color variations, too! You rock!

  • 20 Judi // Jul 5, 2008 at 5:19 pm

    Judy, Thank you for doing this for us. I love the ribbon border on it. I can’t wait to start this one.
    Judi

  • 21 Linda // Jul 5, 2008 at 5:23 pm

    I’m so looking forward to this! What do you think about a scrappy one? Would it work. Hopefully I can work around vacation time
    Thanks!!

  • 22 Pat // Jul 5, 2008 at 8:10 pm

    I really love the look of this quilt. I’m a bit nervous that it might be difficult, but I’ll trust you when you say it’s not….and I’m hoping to work on it along with the group here.

  • 23 elfriede // Jul 6, 2008 at 1:13 am

    oh, that will be a great work. so I will start with you at 1.8.
    mg elfriede

  • 24 Lynn // Jul 6, 2008 at 7:02 am

    Love your blocks and quilt. Thanks for sharing them on RealWomen. I just might try to do it with you but not sure I can squeeze it in as am doing the BOM with Sue Garmon on The Quilt Show and am working on Pam Bono Transportation quilt for grandson. Just how many quilts can one make at a time? ha

    Your blog is great. My daughter is a biologist and always taking pic of insects, etc. I sent her your cute little caterpillar pics. ha
    Lynn

  • 25 Linda A. // Jul 6, 2008 at 9:39 am

    Thank you so much for doing this for us. Can’t wait to get started. This is going to be alot of fun. Thanks again

  • 26 Teresa // Jul 7, 2008 at 7:23 am

    Oh, I am looking forward to this and will try to keep up with the patterns.

    I have a question about bloglines and tried to find a help screen but couldn’t. When I try to comment on blogs that I access through bloglines, there is no comment area. I can see the blog, just can’t leave a comment. Have you noticed this? The only way I can leave a comment is to pull the site up on my favorites list and then leave a comment.

  • 27 kim beldowski // Jul 7, 2008 at 7:38 am

    I have never done a BOM but I want to try. I am a beginner quilter for about two years. I am so excited to try. This is such a BEAUTIFUL quilt, i cant wait to get started.
    Kim :)

  • 28 Peggy // Jul 7, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    I am new to this site, as of this morning, 7-7. I love this quilt and I know just the fabric to use. I have 20 yards of Red Rooster Sweet Pea fabric that will make this quilt delicious. I can’t wait to get started. Thank you. I have really enjoyed your site so far.

    Peggy in Alaska

  • 29 Sharon // Jul 8, 2008 at 1:32 am

    I am new to all this blogging the quilt looks wonderful i shall look forward to joining in and see what happerns and shall continue to enjoy reading your blog.

  • 30 Maxine Mossop // Jul 9, 2008 at 2:25 am

    I havnt ever done a block of the month although I have been quilting for 30years…..This quilt really appeals to me and I have my material all ready to go…My Thanks to you for giving me the chance to do this…….also looking forward to your new book…..Maxine in Australia

  • 31 Linda Smestad // Jul 11, 2008 at 8:33 am

    Can’t wait to start on this beautiful quilt. You are so kind to share this with us. Thank you so much!

  • 32 Lynn // Jul 12, 2008 at 10:08 am

    Judy, I’m trying to get on board, set up my blog, etc. plus choose my fabrics. The link you have above

    “Other colorations can be seen on this blog post.”

    seems to just link to this same page. ????

    I know I have seen the page with all the colorations a few days ago, so am puzzled. Maybe the link was changed in error or something.

  • 33 Star Block of the Month / Quilting Gallery // Jul 13, 2008 at 10:06 am

    [...] over at Patchwork Times is offering a free Star Block of the Month type project starting August 1st. There are 13 blocks and 7 different borders. This quilt finishes [...]

  • 34 Aless.erre // Jul 17, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    Hi!
    I’m Aless from Italy.
    Can I enjoy with this Bom?
    Ciao from Italy

  • 35 Cathy // Jul 17, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    I would really love to join your BOM project. Honestly, I am a fairly new quilter, recently finishing a few projects such as a tote bag, wall hanging and a baby quilt. I think this project would get me focused (build my self confidence) in making a larger quilt.

  • 36 Allyson // Jul 23, 2008 at 11:37 am

    Nice one Judy! Hope to do this too.

  • 37 linda // Jul 24, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    This is great. I need a good project. Thanks for doing this.

  • 38 Judy Laquidara’s Star BOM - my way? « As the needle bends // Jul 28, 2008 at 5:06 am

    [...] First I got some advice from Judy L.: I’m SO not the one to ask. I work almost totally with tone on tones and nearly solids. I [...]

  • 39 Julie // Aug 3, 2008 at 9:18 pm

    Sorry - accidentally posted on the First Block Finished…oops. But, I love this quilt and can’t wait to get started.

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