Month 1 The Halo Star Block

[Terri A.]

I just finished mine and my question is did Sue mean 16 inch finished when the entire quilt is done or did she mean 16 inch finished after the month 1 project was done? Mine is measuring 16. 25 inches so I don't know if I can 1/4 inch too big or a 1/4 inch too small. I have had an issue in the past with the printer not printing the correct size. On page 23 is the inch block to check your printer with. In the past I had to set my printer to 125% to print correctly. For this particular pattern my printer did print the 1 inch correctly. That could certainly be your problem.

[Terri A.]

Very pretty. I would still like an answer from Sue Garmen on whether the Month 1 block should measure 16 finished with the halo is in the entire quilt or 16 when the block is finished. I still think it is a bit confusing.

[Barbara B.]

The block is 16" finished when sewn into the quilt--it is 16.5" raw edge to raw edge after you make the block in this first month. Check your printed patterns--units 6, 19, and 12--see page 9 of the pattern for a guide. Measure the solid line of these three units across the top of the block. Unit 6 and 12 should measure 5.75" each, Unit 19 should measure 4.5". Those 3 units measure 16" when sewn together. Be sure you are measuring the solid sewing line, not the outside (raw edge) line. I hope this helps.

[Renata L.]

I just finished mine and my question is did Sue mean 16 inch finished when the entire quilt is done or did she mean 16 inch finished after the month 1 project was done? Mine is measuring 16. 25 inches so I don't know if I can 1/4 inch too big or a 1/4 inch too small. I have had an issue in the past with the printer not printing the correct size. On page 23 is the inch block to check your printer with. In the past I had to set my printer to 125% to print correctly. For this particular pattern my printer did print the 1 inch correctly. That could certainly be your problem.

On page 7 of her first month instructions for the Halo Star Block (first line at top of page), Sue states that it is a "16-inch square (finished size)." This means that your block should now measure 16 1/2 inches (after the month 1 project is done). Hope this helps.

[Kim R.]

Beautiful fabric choices !

[Terri A.]

Thank you Barbara. I decided I am going to make another one and will use your suggestions above which will be helpful. I'll just use the one I made that measures 16 1/4 for a pillow top. My points all match so I'll use it for something.

[Terri A.]

Here is my halo medallion.

[Charae H.]

Beautiful! Love your colors!

[Wendy P.]

Lovely stars, everyone. The fabric options seem endless.

Renata - The batiks are beautiful and I really appreciate all the tips.

My star medallion is done. It's a tribute to my Mom's artwork. Spoonflower reproduced an image of a watercolor in fabric. The center, first two rings of points and the tips are all fussy cut from the art piece. This has been a tremendous learning experience.

I left the paper in place (it's the Print and Piece product). My medallion is shy of 16 and 1/2 by 1/16 of an inch. But from outer sewing line to opposite outer sewing line is right at 16 inches. I'll use the sewing line rather than a 1/4 seam to get the center in place with a finished 16 inch size. (My guess is that I shaved off a bit too much when I cut.)

For the large fussy cut pieces, I created a freezer paper template by printing directly on freezer paper, cutting the paper on the seam lines, and ironing it on the bit of fabric that I wanted for the large inner points. The freezer paper made placement of the pieces much easier and mostly worked.

Following Renata's advice - I used the clips as extra hands! Then I hand basted most long seams before machine sewing.

One fix I have in mind is for the inner halo (white on Sue's pattern but yellow, green and pinkish on mine). The flower buds were not quite large enough and more white shows than I would like. I may try to "paint" the white out if I'm brave enough later!

Now it's time to rest up for the February borders!
Thanks to all for sharing this fun trip.
Wendy

[Renata L.]

Wow, Wendy! The fussy cutting of the leaves really extends the so naturally from the flower as do the triangles surrounding your flower--well done! Thanks for the tip on how to do the fussy cutting so that things line up where you want them to.

[Sharon E.]

Well, here is my first block. I am happy how it turned out, but the jury is still out for the center. Its some fabric that is Colorado designs, i.e. hummingbirds, Columbines (state flower), etc. I am wondering if it should be more striking. Tell me what you think and BE HONEST, which we can always count on with TQS.


Wendy, your block is absolutely beautiful!!!

Sharon in getting warmer, Colorado

[Terri A.]

This is beautiful.

[Terri A.]

I like the center and I think the purple is great in the block.

[Wendy P.]

Sharon - I love the yellow halo! The colors are fabulous. The center is nice - it has special meaning for you. Interestingly, it gives depth to the medallion because of the "fuzzy" batik. Love it.

Wendy

[Renata L.]

Sharon, I really like the center fabric because it draws you in with its translucent colors that complement the rest of the colors of the star, draws the eye out to the purples and back to the center. The yellows and pale greens as well as what appears to be a purplish color in the center "belong" with all the other colors you have there. I also like how you chose the greens for the tips of the star because of the gradations in color from dark to light going inward. The only question you might ask is, if you use the focus fabric again, as Sue Garman does, in the border of delectable mountain blocks, would that be to your liking? If the answer is "yes," then it will work. If you plan to put another fabric in the delectable mountain border, then you'd have to figure out where else would you put the focus fabric.