Starry Skies

My nephew, Brian, married Paulene in April of 2006.  Some months before the wedding, I started a quilt that would become "Starry Skies".  It was to be their wedding present.  Well, time has passed and they have received a throw pillow with one of the squares, but the quilt has continued to be my main project at sewing each Monday morning.  I can now say that it is done!!

This quilt had a number of firsts for me.  First it was the largest quilt that I have made - coming close to filling the top of my queen size bed.  

Then it was my first venture into paper piecing.  All of the stars are paper pieced.  I tried every trick I know and I was unable to get a really good picture of the star.  The center does not show that it was made from eight individual pieces.

And last it was the first time that I had done any machine quilting on a piece this large.  The "rays of starlight" and the outline of the stars that are the quilting were all done with my standard sewing machine.  It did not become my favorite form of quilting.  I've learned to never say never, but it will be quite sometime before I venture into machine quilting for a piece this large again.

I learned a lot making the quilt, and I think Brian and Paulene will enjoy it.  My favorite part of the whole quilt is the color of the fabrics.  They are stunning together and they are what make the quilt stand out.  All in all, I'm happy with it.  But most of all, I'm happy it is finished.