Certainly one of our favourite quilts right here at Quilting Day by day is arms down the Feather Star quilt and it’s additionally one of many quilts that we get requested about essentially the most. With Marsha McCloskey’s Feathered Star Quilting Methods On-line Workshop simply across the nook, we felt like this was the right time to delve again into this quilt block, it’s historical past, and methods. Take pleasure in and don’t overlook to enroll right here!

A Feathered Star quilt block is good for medallion-style quilts, just like the Feathered Star Medallion. The LeMoyne Star model of the block (pictured under) has a easy, un-pieced heart, however in some LeMoyne Star variations, the middle can showcase some intricate piecing. However what defines a Feathered Star quilt block? Is it merely including an overview of small triangles to a star block?

Marsha McCloskey, the foremost professional on the Feathered Star, laughs and says, “Thats just about it.” She provides, “You’ll be able to actually feather nearly something.” Lots of her personal quilt patterns characteristic feathered borders, for instance.

McCloskey has been researching Feathered Star blocks for an excellent a part of her profession, finally authoring a number of sample books and instructing lessons everywhere in the nation, together with our Feathered Star Quilting Methods with Marsha McCloskey On-line Workshop. The truth is, it was the complexity of the block that appealed to her. “I’d been doing a number of patterns with easy piecing, and I assumed, Oh, this will probably be enjoyable. I found that there have been lots of of variations, and I adopted that path.”

There are two primary methods of setting up the block, she says. First is the LeMoyne Star method, which leaves an 8-sided heart. The bigger you make the general block, the bigger the middle will probably be, which permits extra room intricate piecing within the facilities. This may be perfect for medallion type quilts, like Feathered Star Medallion. The opposite method to Feathered Stars is grid-based. As a result of it’s drafted in another way, the middle is sq.! This design is ripe for making a sampler quilt, McCloskey says. Her Star of Chamblie Sampler sample showcases this.

You see a number of these blocks within the late 1800’s, notably from the 1880’s and 1890’s within the Midwest. “I’ve talked with fairly a number of quilt historians, and so they inform me should you graphed the occurrences, they actually peaked in that time-frame and space.” McCloskey provides, “You discover a number of actually good two-color variations: crimson and white, or blue and white.”

In 2011, the Infinite Selection exhibit on the American People Artwork Museum featured three centuries of historic red-and-white quilts. McCloskey remembers the exhibit, and famous that there have been fairly a number of Feathered Star quilts within the magnificent present. This was largely because of how well-preserved this specific sort of quilt tends to be. She explains that, due to its complexity, this sample was slightly like exhibiting off.

McCloskey says, “Quilters would create this block solely after their abilities have been at a sure stage, and would use their finest materials.”

Consequently, these quilts not often used as utility quilts. They have been put away and preserved, which is why you’ve gotten a number of very nice, vintage feathered star quilts at this time.

These little triangles and the feathers are actually what create the knockout impact of the Feathered Star. And, with regards to piecing this block, thats precisely the place it will get difficult.

“Due to these intricately pieced triangles, it’s crucial for the measurements to be correct, and to reduce any stretching. The Bias Strip Piecing method is a patchwork blessing in that regard. This method retains the straight of grain on the surface edge, which is the place you want the steadiness,” McCloskey says. “The method permits your items to be very correct, very steady, and it helps every thing go collectively properly.”

Over time, McCloskey developed a ruler that did work particularly with the bizarre geometry of Feathered Stars. “It has dimensions I’ve by no means discovered on different rulers, just like the 1-1/16 inch mark I wanted for my Star of Chamblie Sampler sample.” One other difficult bit to this traditional block is that, as a result of geometry of its slanted rows, it doesn’t divide into clear, normal dimensions.

The older blocks used templates, so it didn’t matter that they didn’t match the size on a ruler, so long as it matches collectively. With the best methods and instruments, this spectacular block is achievable. Because it was yesterday, so it’s at this time: an achievement block, price working towards and celebrating.

Extra from the Skilled

“If feathered stars are in your bucket listing,” says Marsha McCloskey, “That is the category for you.” This traditional quilt design is gorgeous, however is notoriously difficult and thought of fairly superior. Whereas many quilters aspire to make a Feathered Star quilt, not many truly do.

“Early on, I discovered a method referred to as ‘bias strip piecing’ that enabled me to make very correct two triangle squares which can be the smallest triangles, the feathers, the sparkly a part of the celebs,” Marsha says. “I believe if I hadn’t discovered bias strip piecing or developed the method, I wouldn’t be making feathered stars. This method makes them correct and simple.”

That is the method Marsha has been instructing for a few years, and it’s her hottest workshop. Her love for the Feathered Star quilt design has led her to publishing a number of Feathered Star block collections, and growing instruments particular to the design. The truth is, she is extensively thought-about the be THE professional in Feathered Star quilt methods.

“They are saying that to show is to study twice,” Marsha says, “I’ve discovered a lot from my college students, so this workshop has developed to a degree that I’m fairly proud of it.”

Whereas feathered Star quilts aren’t notably tough, they’ve a number of items and take time. And the outcomes are properly definitely worth the effort! It’s a design that invitations you to decelerate and do your finest work. Marsha will present you the way and let you know why within the Feathered Star Quilting Methods with Marsha McCloskey On-line Workshop. Workshop runs 4/18/23 – 5/16/23. Registration closes 4/25/2022. Click on right here to register at this time!