Hello!! Welcome to Swim Along With Me. Each month, I’ll be making something different, and I’ll invite you to come on in for a glimpse at the process. This means, start to finish, photos and everything, you’ll see how I make. If your inbox truncates this post, click here to read it fully on substack.
If you’ve been following along with me anywhere over the past six months or so, you might know that I’m in the middle of making a Nova Star Quilt. I’ve touched on it a few different times as I’ve gone through the process, but the bullet points are:
I’m making the bed size
I’m using all solid fabrics (Kona Cotton)
I’ve already cut out all the pieces for the blocks
I’m batch-sewing 10 blocks at a time every couple months (so far, 22/42 completed)
Quilting is an interesting art form because in many cases it is 1) meant to be replicated and 2) fairly uniform. What I mean by this is that most quilters do things the same way—for so many shapes and processes, the most efficient and easiest way to create them has already been solved. So in that vein, most patterns are not reinventing the wheel; they are instead just finding fun, new ways to combine these shapes. If you learn to make flying geese (more on those later) in one quilt block, you will be able to make them and use them on any other quilt block. Of course, sizing can vary across projects, and quilt math is a field of its own.
BUT, I’m telling you all this because I want you to know that my intention is not to teach you how to make this block. I’m following the instructions of the pattern designer, and those are proprietary. I’m also acknowledging that this block is made up of several traditional shapes that have been used in quilts for generations.
Instead, I’m hoping to relay the experience—my experience—of creating the blocks. Because quilting is a long, tiring, intense, special journey.
Like I mentioned, I’m batch sewing my blocks. This means that instead of making one block from start to finish, I’m doing Step 1 for all 10 blocks, then Step 2 for all 10 blocks, etc.
I start by selecting colors for each block. I created a color mock-up before I started the process (below), so I do refer to that when combining colors. But, I didn’t rough the full 42 blocks (there are repeats in the mock-up), so I will soon have to start making color combinations on the fly.
First, each block needs 4 half-square triangles (HSTs). There is one in each corner of each block.
I feel that HSTs should actually be called half-triangle squares, but alas. They are quite easy to make, and are a good way to explain what the quilting journey looks like.
Like I mentioned, quilters have developed a lot of efficient methods. In fact, it’s possible to make 4 HSTs at a time! But, these optimized methods are multi-step processes. First, you sew. In this case, you only have to sew 1 seam per 4 HSTs. Then, you cut. In this case, you have cut 2 lines per 4 HSTs. Then, you press. In this case, you use an iron to press 4 seams open (flat). Finally, you trim. In the photo above, the HSTs are untrimmed, but technically, you should trim them to the exact right size and remove the little triangle tails.
So, at almost every stage of the block, you have to sew, cut, press, and trim. Oftentimes, you have to do these 4 things multiple times. Enter: Flying Geese.
These are flying geese! Each block has 12 (!!). Flying geese are beautiful and fun, but they are also so time intensive. Probably at least 60% of the time I spend on each block is actually spent making flying geese.
Again, I make 4 flying geese at a time. For every 4, you have to:
Draw 4 lines
Sew 6 seams
Cut 3 lines
Press 6 seams
Trim 4 flying geese
Don’t forget, I’m making 12 per block, and 10 blocks at a time!
Some of my flying geese are made with white outer fabric—these are for my center sawtooth star. The other two-color blocks are for the outer rows. Flying geese are difficult. It is very easy to see if they’re not perfect. But luckily, I’m okay with imperfect! I still love flying geese, but I will not be making another quilt with so many in the next 10 years. Emilio did help me with the pressing and trimming of flying geese in this second batch of blocks. A two-person assembly line makes a difference.
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After the flying geese journey comes to an end, it’s time to assemble the sawtooth stars. These are one of my (and everyone’s) favorite traditional blocks. They are largely the reason I was pulled into quilting in the first place!
With that, we now have all the pieces we need for final assembly.
You may think you’re close to the finished line here, but you would generally be wrong. Don’t forget that each time you combine two pieces, you have to sew, press, and trim! From this stage, I’d say each block still takes about 45 minutes-1 hour of assembly.
But, this is also when things get pretty rewarding. Piecing these blocks is intense and exhausting. I do my best to stay in the moment and enjoy the process, but sometimes, the hours pile on, and my back hurts from leaning over the table and the machine, and the pieces make my eyes cross. But, as I start seeing these final color combinations and imagining them brightening my home for the rest of my life—it feels like a beautiful way to spend my day.
Pray for me! I replace the blocks on my wall here each time I make a new batch, and it’s great motivation. I’m aiming to finish this quilt by the end of 2024. All in good time.
Thanks for swimming along!
OMG!!! I had no idea how time intensive the process is, but as you say, the flying geese are beautiful;-) Thank you for sharing the process and the determination it takes to accomplish it all. I hope your March vibes turn into happy April vibes (whatever that may be)!!