North Star, find your true north
For all of you who loved our Pas de Deux journey in 2022, I am creating anther quilty masterpiece for 2024. Just like Pas de Deux, it’s a quilt sampler with different patchwork groups that interweave to create a cool, modern look. My 2024 block-of-the-month is called Positivities because every patchwork group connects with a theme for keeping a positive and grounded perspective as you navigate life’s challenges.
We’ve all got challenges - this I know for sure! It is always nice to receive a word of encouragement from a friend. It could be just what you need to hear to help you take that next step in a positive direction. Or perhaps it provides a comforting reminder that we are in this together as humans, as makers, as fellow quilt-lovers.
When I began sketching Positivities the first element that alighted on paper was North Star. It all started with this one block, which set the direction and tone for the quilt. The quilt evolved into a mixture of star, curve and plus elements, floating on a consistent background fabric.
Using a consistent background fabric gives Positivities’ diverse patchwork groups an automatic sense of unity. I will be using a solid for my background and an additional eight solids as repeated color accents in the quilt. On this base I will add my scraps to create happy, scrappy patchwork. Those who sew-along can follow the pattern to use nine solids in the same way, providing a template for a unified scrap quilt. I know that you love to sew scraps, but bringing it all together in a sampler quilt can be challenging. A hybrid approach, combining solids and scraps is a relaxed solution!
My fabric pull for North Star block includes four of the Positivities solids. These are Tilda solids, and of course I will be providing you a list so that you an use the exact same ones, should you like. All of the prints are from my scrap drawers! You only need small amounts of each, since the finished North Star block is just 18 inches.
Sewing this block was my first time utilizing templates generated by EQ8 software. I am sewing with pieced curves, so the templates are essential. I was holding my breath until I finally could sew the curved pieces together. This is the moment of truth. Will it all fit?
And it does! Well - - - there was one template issue which I have since improved, but overall it was a success. Hurray!
Three cheers for North Star, the first block in a very positive journey!!!
2024 will have its challenges, which may be bigger or smaller than every other year; but, we will feel stronger and stay inspired when we walk that road together, one month and one patchwork group at a time. I am looking forward to Positivities! If you are considering joining us, let me know. I appreciate your positive vote and will make sure you don’t miss the big release.
xoxo, Rachel
