
Did you ever start a project and know it would finish very quickly? Well, this one should have been one of those quilts. I had it all cut out and ready to go and then the universe intervened and taught me a lesson in patience and healing. This Pop Star Quilt was all ready to be sewn right before I broke my ankle. I am well past that, in fact, I saw my orthopedic surgeon for what was the last time and am just to keep working at getting it back to 100%. Now let’s take a look at this quilt.
The Pop Star QAL
Sandra Walker, of mmmQuilts!, has an annual QAL with one of her fun patterns. This year’s quilt was the Pop Star Quilt. You can find all the information about the quilt along here. I met Sandra, via the internet, in 2017 through the New Quilt Bloggers group – we have been friends ever since!
One of my “rules” is to use my stash when I do a QAL. First, it helps with stash reduction and they often become on the quilts for Hands2Help. Second, it helps control the urge to get more fabric, something I do not need to do. I have found I enjoy having one or two easy QALs each year, and Sandra’s are always among my favorites.
Fabric Choices




Sandra’s first version was in this colorway. Check out the parade of quilts if you would like to see it in a variety of colors.




I thought it ironic that the fabrics I choose were quite similar. I am not one of those quilters that has the need to do follow a pattern exactly. The lead fabric was in my stash and was not what I thought it was when I got it. So, when I saw this pattern, I thought the starry qualityof the fabric and the fact that there is some glitter on it would be perfect. The background is one of the grunges…which has a little gray but not very much in it. This fabric works well since it is not so solid as to make one fearful to use the quilt, at least I hope so.
Construction




I enjoyed making the units. It really is a nicely paced QAL and I would do a section every few days.




Quilting




I chose to quilt this in an allover pattern that would make this a cozy baby quilt. I tried a denser pattern but it was too much for this quilt. Custome quilting would have been nice, but I was already so late on finishing it, so I decided a simpler pattern would be better.




The pattern is called Water Meander and is available on ProStitcher. I could not find it for sale anywhere, but there are plenty out there like it.
Final Quilt




I used up nearly all of the featured fabric by binding the quilt with it. I think it will be the perfect cuddly quilt for a baby. This was one of my second-quarter goals in #wipsbgone2022 and I am so pleased to show it to you. It has been done for more than a week, but I seem to be slower getting to my blog these days; I think it is PT in my schedule that is messing me up a bit!




Coming Up on the Blog
FQ Support Group Stitch and Quilt Along
Music Blog Hop (11/15/22)
Tips and Tutorials (11/22/22)
Your PopStar turned out so well! And yay for the last visit to the surgeon! Woohoo!
Kathleen Your Pop Star really is a star among the finishes. Love your focal fabric and that particular Grunge is my favourite background fabric. The quilting is perfect for a cuddly baby quilt.
The quilt is beautiful! Whoever gets it is a lucky baby! I enjoy reading the process you go through as you make quilts. I’m glad you are finally recovered♥️
Your quilt turned out beautifully! Hope you soon get to 100%.
Hi Kathleen! What a fabulous finish for the end of the month! Pop Star is one of my favorite patterns that Sandra has shared with us. Those fabrics you chose are just fab and the quilting design sure gives us the idea of water. Seeing the arrow quilt again makes me want to get busy on another version of that piece! Great job. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Beautiful finish, Kathleen! I love your fabric choices–the transparent look! And the water meander quilting!!!
Congratulations on your last visit to the doctor! Lovely quilt, and I like your choice of fabrics and quilting. Did you bind it with your longarm? I have downloaded instructions for doing that but haven’t tried it yet.
So pretty, the dark blue really makes it pop;) I like the quilting, I have done that freehand on donation quilts before, fun and relaxing to do.
That is beautiful, Kathleen!! I know you are glad to have it completed. So happy you have been released from the orthopod and now just have PT. It’s a pain to upend your day for PT but I know it will help you continue to get stronger. Have a great week!
Nice finish for both Pop Star and ortho visits. PT is important and beneficial and once you’re done there will be many walks, especially for quilt shows and shopping.
The Water Meander quilting motif looks perfect, nice texture without overwhelming the lovely Pop Star design. I like that you use what is in your stash for quilt alongs, and I’m sure that someone is going to be thrilled to receive this quilt!
Your pop star is beautiful!!!
I have the same “rule” about using stash for QALs!!! 🙂
Beautiful quilt, Kathleen! And great news concerning your ankle! 🙂
Nicely done, Kathleen. Congrats on your beautiful finish!
Kathleen Beautiful finish. I love these colors, they do remind me of the water. And great choice on the quilting.
Yeah for being done with Orthopedics!!!
I think this is my favorite pattern of Sandra’s QAL’s. I haven’t done any of hers so maybe if she does one in 2023 I should join in. Love your colors and choice of quilting motif.
Your pop star rocks, Kathleen. He is a heartbreaker, for sure 😀
I really love this, Kathleen!! And I love Sandra’s pattern! Thanks sew much for linking up with Monday Musings today! Have a great week!
Oh your Pop Star is a beauty! And I’m happy to hear you are back on both feet! Happy Stitching from me!
Hi Kathleen, well done! Congrats on your finish. It looks great!
Ooh, I love the colors you used. Very striking. Great job.
Great finish and I really like that quilting design.
Congrats on the two finishes: Pop Star and surgical. Always amazing how a one-second injury turns into months of therapy. I hope all goes well with the remaining part of your recovery. It’s good to see that you can quilt.