Monday 16 March 2015

Starjump Quilt Finish and Pattern Release!

There has not been a whole lot of sewing happening since I came home from Quiltcon - I have a huge list of things I'd like to make, but I haven't had the energy or motivation to get started just yet. But I have managed to finish off a few projects that I'd been working on before I went away - one of those being my StarJump quilt. I finished up the quilting and binding a few weeks ago, and we took it to the park for some photos last weekend. Even more exciting, the pattern for this quilt is now available. It's a fat quarter friendly quilt pattern, comes in three sizes, and you can buy the pattern in my new Payhip shop!! 



This quilt started as a pile of MicroMod fabric (a Cloud 9 fabric collection from a couple of years ago), in plum, teal, grey and black. I added in a bunch of other fabrics in these colours, and added some citron prints to give it a bit of pop. I designed several quilts last year using over-sized quilt blocks and I have to admit I'm a bit obsessed. Large blocks are great for using large scale prints and they come together quite quickly which is always a bonus.


The background on this quilt is a bunch of cream solids and low volume prints, and I love the subtle variation in the background that results from this. I quilted it very simply, using the points in the blocks as a guide for straight line FMQ. I love the subtle movement it gives the background areas. I used cream 50wt Aurifil for the quilting and 100% wool batting - I love the texture this combination of thread and batting gives :o)


I have had my team of pattern testers working on this pattern over the last couple of months as well, and I'm really excited to share their versions with you as well! This first (baby sized) version was made by Kirsten who blogs at Gemini Stitches. I absolutely love Kirsten's choice of background fabric, it really makes the print fabrics pop. 




This version was made by Susan (aka Patchwork n Play), as a gift for a friend's new baby. Susan's choice of colours is just perfect for a baby quilt that will be used and loved as the baby grows up :o)


Liz chose to use just four fabrics for her version of the baby size quilt, in a soft palette. Liz's version is a great example of how fabric placement can change the look of this pattern - by using the same colours for the chain elements in each block, Liz has created a completely different look.



Finally, my lovely friend Ella (aka Throw a Wench in the Works) and regular pattern tester made two versions of this pattern. First up a lap sized rainbow version, one of the happiest quilts I've ever seen!

rainbow quilt

Ella also made a second lap sized version. I love how Ella has played with the placement of the chain elements in this version and made the centre star different to the surrounding stars.

pattern testing

A huge thank you to all of my testers - I absolutely love seeing what people do with my patterns. I think these quilts show really well how versatile this pattern is, and how easy it is to 'make it your own'.  Please pop over to each of my tester's blogs and read more about their quilts - and for a pattern giveaway as well :o) 

xx Jess

18 comments:

Susan said...

WOW! All these versions really show how versatile this pattern can be! I can hardly wait to make another one!

DeborahGun said...

what a gorgeous pattern, and well done to all your pattern testers. Each quilt is so unique, and the fabric really shines :-)

Nat at Made in Home said...

Love the pattern andy great versions from your testers!

Leanne said...

It's a lovely pattern!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Very nice! Congratulations on a new pattern release. I really like how versatile this pattern is and how unique each quilt top turned out from your testers.

Jennifer said...

So pretty Jess! I love the finished quilt!

Lisa J. said...

All the different versions of this pattern look great.

Kirsten said...

Love seeing the different versions of your pattern Jess - they all look so beautiful! Thank you so much for letting me test for you:)

EmileeHope said...

Great quilt pattern-love seeing all the different versions your testers made! It seems like a mash up of a star, pinwheel & Irish chain quilt & I love it!

KaHolly said...

Each quilt is lovely! Isn't it amazing and fun to see how different they look, depending on fabric choices? Well done.

Luckybear said...

I saw Kristen ' s lovely version on IG and knew I had to have the pattern. I enjoyed seeing how versatile the pattern is. All of the samples are wonderful.

Renee said...

Hurray getting the pattern out! It's so fun seeing the tester's quilts and how differently the pattern can appear with color and block placement. I love big block quilts, they are so satisfying and fun to make.

Cheryl said...

Beautiful pattern! I love the design.

SewPsyched! said...

What a lovely pattern!! And look how different it looks in differing fabrics! Splendid!! Happy Spring!
XX!

Rina Mason said...

Love this pattern! I have to put this on my must do list as I fell in love the second I saw it. Headed to all the pages to see everyones version.

Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts said...

Jess!! This is absolutely gorgeous!! Congratulations!

Michele said...

I love it too and all the versions made by your testers.

Lara B. said...

Hi Jess - I'm popping over from Pam's Quilting Fun because I just had to see all the different versions of Starjump. Each one is really wonderful and really different - a great pattern!