Starry Night for Josh

This Quilt is now finished!!

It is called Starry Night for Josh. Josh was in the Army, Stationed out of Ft Riley, and was in Southern Afghanistan when his helicopter was under Enemy fire. He and 5 others did not survive the crash. Josh's parents are wonderful friends of mine. His Dad served in VietNam. I met them when presenting Quilts of Valor to Josh's Dad - and we have become forever friends.

I thought that maybe by creating a Quilt of Valor in Honor of Josh would remind them that my family does think of him often. He was a wonderful man.  I ran this as a mystery on the blog and now the pattern is in my Craftsy Store.

Starry Night for Josh

Here it is:

You will notice that it is not bound. And That my dear friends - is because I have a wonderful group of friends here that will bind it for me, as they know that bindings... requires a Lot of chocolate or

I go into anaphylactic shock.... it's true!

 So you may see it again - when it is bound - but I am quite proud to have finished the quilting on it

I used swirls and spikes - to give it the look of wind.

I sort of pictured this quilt as what I thought Josh would see from the air. And being a pilot myself, I pretended it was me....the twinkling lights of homes, the stars in the sky, a big star to guide you .....

Okay - I use my maps and coordinates - but pretend with me ok?

And that is my finish for this week!

PS - if you enjoy doing my mysteries - I am hosting the next Mystery Quilt in a Yahoo group called Mystery Quilts 4 Military.  You can join in - the next mystery starts November 14th - but Fabric Requirements might just leak out here in the next couple of days..... Hint Hint

Linking to:

CrazyMom QUilts

Confessions

TGI Friday

Starry Night for Josh - the final layout

It's the final layout ( for some reason I am singing that as a song.... hmmmm ... like :Its the final countdown")

Designing Quilts is  bit like wearing my heart on my sleeve. I LOVE what I have designed, and then hope that others do too.  I told you before that this one was inspired by Josh - hence the name in the title. But I also tried to see what Josh might see when up in the Blackhawk - and interpret it as a quilt....

Are you ready???


The best way for me to assemble this quilt is to lay it out according to the diagram. I stitch each row together, and press.

*For rows 1,3,5,7,9 I will press one direction,
*and the other rows press the opposite before sewing together.

There are actually two different layouts –

Here is the original layout:

.. Or you can turn the large stars to spin another way – giving you two variable options.


Here is the Variable option – check out the big Red Stars – they turn differently

Who is this Josh that the pattern was named for?  ( I know - I told you at the beginning - but I just wanted to tell you again)


Josh (Chief Warrant Officer 2) was assigned to the third helicopter battalion and was shot down during Operation Enduring Freedom by enemy fire. Six of the Seven soldiers on board were killed, including Josh.  Josh is also the son of two of my most favorite people in the world. Josh's Dad is a VietNam Veteran.

Because Josh flew in a Helicopter – I thought the stars would be what he saw from the air – and the 9 patches sort of look like lights in houses. And of course the blue would be the skies and the night colors.

I hope you enjoyed stitching this quilt!

The full pattern will be available in my Craftsy Pattern Store HERE AlyciaQuilts Pattern Store

Linked to:
Freemotion by the river
Show ad Tell Tuesday
Fabric Tuesday
Sew Fresh Quilts

Starry Night for Josh Step 4

Hopefully your blocks are all going well?

This is the last step for the blocks - after this one you will have all of them prepared. On Monday ( because I have NO patience) I will show you the layouts . YES Layouts.... there are actually two different ways to lay this quilt out..... so Bonus!!!

Ready?

Block 4

This next block is a simple Half Square – it will measure 9 ½ by 9 ½ inches. You need 12 blocks total.

Cutting Instructions:

Blue: Cut 2 rows ( wof) 10 inches wide. Sub Cut into 6 – 10 in squares
Red: Cut 2 rows ( wof) 10 inches wide. Sub-cut into 6 10 in squares

You will take the Blue and draw a diagonal line down the center of it ( just like you did in the stars)






Stitch ¼ inch away from the line on BOTH sides.  Then Slice down the line, and press open.  You will then have 12 blocks. I pinned mine since they are such big squares:

Block 5

You will need 24 of these.
Cutting Instructions:
Blue: Cut 6 9 ½ inch strips. Sub cut each strip into 4 - 9 ½ inch blocks

There you go!!! See you Monday Morning for the reveal!!!

So far so good right?????

QOV 2015 - and Starry Night for Josh step 3

Step 3

This is a quick step – and! You will refer to Block 1 for instructions…. But use these colors!
You will make 2 of the Blue Stars and 3 Red Stars.

Cutting Instructions:

Blue: Cut 1 – 4 inch wof strip .   Sub-cut into 4 – 4 inch squares
         : Cut 1 – 3 ½ inch wof strip.   Sub-cut into 8 3 ½ inch squares
White: Cut 1 – 4inch wof strip.   Sub-cut into 10 – 4 inch squares
       : Cut 1 – 3 ½ inch wof strip.. Sub cut into 5  - 3 ½ inch squares
Red:  Cut 1 – 4 inch wof strip.  Sub-cut into 6 – 4 inch squares
      : Cut 1 3 ½ inch wof strip.  Sub cut into 12   3 1/2inch squares
(so my fabric was actually 44 inch wof – so one strip was perfect. If you fabric is not as wide – you can use scraps from the other steps to cut the twelfth square, or you will need to cut another strip)

Take all of your 4 inch white squares, and draw a diagonal on the back side.

Pair a 4 inch white square with a blue and  red 4 inch squares. Stitch ¼ inch away from the diagonal line on both sides.

Cut along the diagonal line and press open.


You will then lay these pieces out in a stack to create the Stars – as in the first step. You will end up with 3 Red/White stars and 2 Blue/White stars.  Make sure the stars are spinning the same way as the photo ( also the same as step 1)

They will measure 9 ½ inches

And now.... Onto the QOV inspirations for this week..... can you handle at least one or two??

Are you all keeping up? If you want to share a blog post or a photo - feel free to email me them, I would link them on a blog post.  - I just don't know how to do the linky thing....

See you Saturday for the next step!!!

Design Wall Monday

You have to know what I have on my Design wall right?  I mean Step 2 has been posted.... can you take a guess??

Oh - and before I Show you the photo - many of you ask when I sleep.... well.... this photo is taken late at night - so its not so good in its coloring ;-) But you know how it is - the kids FINALLY all go to sleep and your going to quilt for just 15 minutes... and the next thing you know- it's midnight....

The colors look better - sort of..... but the light attracted miller moths...

Hope you all had a great weekend. It was Fathers Day - and I didn't get to spend it with my Dad . I was with my Dad in Law. On our way we stopped for a snack and we all laughed . I had to have this coke.... it's what my Dad calls me .....

Linking to:
Cooking Up Quilts
Hug a Bit Quilts
PatchWork Times
Freemotion by the river

I have to say

Starry Night for Josh Step 2

Hopefully you had enough time to get all of Step One Blocks Done???

Ready for Step 2?

Here goes:

BLOCK 2

Block 2 is another fun, simple block – but will be so effective in the overall design.

We need to make 10 of these blocks:

Cutting Instructions:

Blue:  Cut 4 – 3 ½ inch strips WOF

Cheddar: Cut 5 – 3 ½ inch Strips WOF

You are going to stitch these in sets – ready?

Set 1 – you will sew 1 strip set with a Blue, Yellow, Blue pattern:
     Press to the blue ( or outside)

• Sub-cut this set into 10 * 3 ½ inch strips

Set 2 – you will sew 2 strip sets with a Yellow, Blue, Yellow pattern
    Press to the blue ( or Inside)

• Sub-cut these sets into 10- * 3 ½ inch strips

And now we will assemble the sets:

I always lay them out, how I want them assembled

And then Stitch the sets together into a 9 Patch block

These 10 blocks will measure 9 ½ by 9 ½ inches

Ha Ha!! Look at me - my seams match!!!!! 

Sucess!!

Starry Night For Josh Step 1

Just in Case you missed the Fabric Requirements - Here you go
http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/qov-2014-intro-to-next-qal-called.html

There are 6 different blocks in this quilt. It is a simple quilt, with very basic techniques, that comes together in a very striking way.  We will do the cutting instructions for each block, and stitch it out before moving on to the next block.

Block 1

You will make 12 blocks of Block 1: 

BLUE: 

Cut 4 * 3 ½ inch width of fabric ( WOF) strips of Blue. 

• Sub-cut the strips into 44 – 3 ½ inch squares.

Cut 3 * 4 inch WOF strips. 
• *Take 2 strips of this and sub-cut them into 20 - 4 inch squares
• *Take the remaining strip – sub cut it into 4 – 4 inch square. 
• *Use the remainder of this strip ( Strip 3) to cut 4 more 3 ½ inch squares with it. 
( I don’t like to waste fabrics ;-)   )



RED: 

Cut 1 * 3 ½ inch WOF strip
• Sub-cut it into 11  3 ½ inch Squares

Cut 3 * 4 inch strips ( WOF)
• Sub-cut 2 strips into 20 – 4 inch squares
• Use the remaining strip to cut 4 – 4 inch squares, and cut one more 3 ½ inch square

If you are using 44 inch wide fabric – you may find that you get more pieces out of the strip, therefore eliminating one of the strips that you cut.

You will need to make 48 ½ square triangles. 

Take 24 of the Red 4 inch squares, and the 24 Blue 4 inch squares.  On the wrong side of the Light Blue, take your ruler and draw a line along the diagonal: 

Pair the blue with a red square – right sides together. 

You will then sew each square twice – ¼ inch off of each edge of the line. 

After stitching each square twice – you will use the diagonal line you drew as the cutting line – cut 
each block along the line – and you get 2 Half Square BLOCKS

Next we will lay the squares out and start assembling the block:

I stack all of my pieces as if they are a part of the block, and then stitch them into rows:. 

Press :  

I press the top and bottom row to the outside

and the middle row to the inside

Sew the rows together:

And ta –da – you now have 12 Red and Blue Stars – set those aside and we will start on Block 2:

If all worked well - your blocks will be 9 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches ;-)

Come back on Saturday to see the next step

PS: This is the most time consuming step - and I don't know how long it takes.... because I was talking with my stitching buddies when I was doing this.... and, well, I sort of forgot to keep track of time.....

Linking up with:
http://www.patchworktimes.com/2015/06/15/design-wall-june-15-2015/
http://www.hugabitquilts.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/2015-new-quilt-bloggers-blog-hop-and.html
http://www.cookingupquilts.com/mcm-23-playing-catch-up/
http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/2015/06/monday-making_14.html
http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/
http://www.conniekresin.com/2015/06/linky-tuesday_16.html
http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/2015/06/sew-cute-tuesday-sunshine-through-the-rain/

QOV 2015 - INTRO to the next QAL called Starry Night for Josh

Happy Wednesday Morning!!!

Today I am going to introduce the Fabric Requirements for the Next Quilt of Valor Quilt a Long .
 It is called

 "Starry Night for Josh"

Josh was assigned to the third helicopter battalion and was shot down during Operation Enduring Freedom by enemy fire. Six of the Seven soldiers on board were killed, including Josh.  Josh is also the son of two of my most favorite people in the world. Josh's Dad is a VietNam Veteran. 

I hoped this would be a way to show them support while honoring other Veterans Touched by War as well.   My only request - if you are making this - or your groups decide to make it - let me know would you? I would love to report back to the parents and let them know these quilts are being made.

Fabric Requirements

Finished Size 63 x 72

Based on 40 inches of usable fabrics

Blue:  3 5/8 yds                              Red: 1 3/8 Yds

Cream:  ¼ yd                                      Cheddar:  ½ yd

Binding: ½ - 3/4  yard  ( depends on the size of binding you use)

Backing : approximately 4 yards. I would check with your Machine quilter to see the amount of extra fabrics they need for quilting.

For my Blue - I am actually using a variety of Blues. They are all the same shade, but are just a tad different.  

These are my fabric choices

The first Step in this Quilt a Long will be posted on June 15th, the next step will come out Saturday the 20th - and then we will go back to Wednesday and Saturday Steps. I thought that would give you good time to gather fabrics - and if you are like me.... Iron them ;-)

(Edited to answer question)
1. Is there a picture of the quilt?    Not yet - it is a mystery, Trust me... I won't lead you wrong)
2. Is it really really hard?               No - it is very beginner friendly, great techniques to learn, or brush up on. There will be lots of photos of each step - so fun to follow.

Hope that helps  a little?

Now - On to Today's QOV inspirations.

This top ( above) was put together by Kaje and Harriet. A Granddaughter/Grandmother Team

I quilted it.   

Below - this top was pieced by Gisela in CO

I quilted it.

It is actually already in use - it was awarded at a Women Veterans Retreat

The next 6 quilts come from the Fremont Victory Quilters

They are in Southern (ish) Colorado and do a fantastic job!!!

I have to say I love all of them 

but this one below - Wow - I just love the soothing-ness ( a word - I am sure of it)

of the colors!!

Hope you enjoyed today's quilts!! NOW!!! Go gather your fabrics and get ready for the 15th - and the first step!!!  You can do it!!!