I’ve just finished the second block of my Coming Home quilt. This is a block of the month by Sarah Fielke (the same designer as my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt). On the last day of each month she releases the next pattern instructions and videos showing us how to do it. Sarah’s quilts always have a fair amount of needle turn applique so she demonstrates how to stitch different shapes. Last month it was circles, this month it was stars!
Last time I showed you this quilt I’d just finished the centre square with its eight houses…
This month we had to make four side sections, extending the central star. It took me ages to work out fabrics and colours, that bit of quilting doesn’t seem to get any easier! I’ve now got a spare applique star in grey and teal and several spare triangles! I don’t think it helps that after stitching blocks for the Splendid Sampler and also to a degree my Spring Wreath quilt, these triangles and squares seem huge, they’re like 4-5″, so any fabric makes a big impact. My design wall is so useful for this kind of predicament as I can try the colours out and stand back to look at the effect. This was my wall whilst I was still trying to decide!
The points on the stars were the hardest bit to get neat, trying to stuff the seam under such a tiny area. I’ve also decided I really don’t like cutting out triangles! My template seemed to find any excuse to move! I think I’m going to try a bit of tape underneath next time, see if that helps.
We could stitch two sides on, the top and bottom sections will be added next month when we stitch the four corner blocks, they’ve got appliqued flowers on. So my quilt is progressing nicely, it measures nearly 33″ across. I’ve just got to patiently wait another fortnight for the next installment!
thecraftycreek 
Very nice! I admire your talent.
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It is coming along fine despite those rascally triangles.
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It’s looking very smart.
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Lovely. Are you cutting the triangles individually? Would the half square triangle method not work for you here? Or cutting them from a rectangular strip? Just wondering out loud really.
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I much prefer the half square triangle method but that would have only worked for 1 pair, I’ve been cutting them from a strip.
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I love the colours and houses as well. Looking forward to following your progress.
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I have a couple of suggestions for your triangle template: firstly, you could try a tiny squirt of spray baste on the template, get most of it off with a scrap, and then put the template down on your fabric. It should hold it still for quite a while. The other option is to make your template from very fine sandpaper, with the grit side down. That definitely won’t shift!
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That star looks fabulous, Margaret! I have used all different methods on my current applique project, trying to find what works best for me on pointy spots, they have had quite a learning curve, but now on my 3rd border, I think I finally have it down! Those tiny points are not easy, are they!
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Wow this designer is really talented. And as usual – you are really talented! That palette is so wonderful!
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It’s looking great! I was going to suggest very fine sandpaper for your template or ruler but Kate got here first!
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This is coming along beautifully!!
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