Thread: Advice please on sew easy strata star

I just finished 'birthing' the Sew Easy Strata Star. Up until now I was thinking this is great it turned out wonderfully!

Now here is where I'm needing help, as I've never quilted a birthed quilt. I have stitched in the ditch successfully with a layered table topper so I could 'ease' the fabric from the center out. I usually send all my quilts out to the LA. I have only quilted small wall hangings etc., again all were layered.

With this table topper having the sewn edges I'm not sure how I will keep from getting puckers and folds. I have quilt pins the curved type do I just pin, pin, pin and then pin once more?

Any words of wisdom of those that have been-there-and-done the Strata Star or quilted a birthed quilt will be most appreciated.

When I made mine I used lots of pins and then rolled it tightly and did a stitched from one point all the way across to a point then did the same the other way so it was in four parts and it made it easy to do more quilting. I have made 3 and used the same method. Hope this makes sense.

Originally Posted by Ruby the Quilter

When I made mine I used lots of pins and then rolled it tightly and did a stitched from one point all the way across to a point then did the same the other way so it was in four parts and it made it easy to do more quilting. I have made 3 and used the same method. Hope this makes sense.

Hi Ruby ~
I had so much 'fun' making this and seeing it come together and I do want to make one for each season until I got to this point and I don't want to make a mess of quilting it. So thanks so much for your explanation it does make sense to me. My thinking was point to point too. Did you stitch the outside edges? I was wondering if that would be necessary to keep the back from eventually rolling/shifting to the front or would the linear stitching keep it in check?

Onalee, have you ever watched a Eleanor Burns video where she teaches you how to make bias binding because it really is not that difficult to do, there are many other people who teach it as well Jenny Doan also has a video. Good luck with your Strata topper!

Originally Posted by Ariannaquilts

Onalee, have you ever watched a Eleanor Burns video where she teaches you how to make bias binding because it really is not that difficult to do, there are many other people who teach it as well Jenny Doan also has a video. Good luck with your Strata topper!

Hello Maria,
No I never 'thought' of Eleanor for cutting on the bias...of course what a wonderful suggestion! I watched Jenny's but got confused with hers if I remember correctly, which is silly because she's a wonderful teacher. It's embarrassing because I'm sure it 'is' much simpler than what I've made it out to be. I'm going to search out Eleanor's video. Thanks so much Maria, for taking the time to suggest these two ladies :0)

That is a problem with a birthed quilt. It can pucker easily when quilted. Quilt as far apart as the batting will allow and pin, pin, pin.

This is why I personally hand baste; for me it's more controlling than pinning.

Jan in VA

Originally Posted by Jan in VA

This is why I personally hand baste; for me it's more controlling than pinning.

Jan in VA

Hi Jan,
I'm so glad that you responded to my asking for help in quilting the Sew Easy Strata Star. I always appreciate when you share your wonderful knowledge.

If you wouldn't mind my questions here... I've never basted a quilt or table topper. I went to YouTube and watched Sharon Schamber's video on herringbone hand basting, is this the type of basting that you would suggest on this smallish piece?

Or would I just use longer stitches along the linear lines of the star? I have to look on the Warm and Natural to see how far apart I can stitch...I was hoping to stitch most of the lines, however now think that less would probably be better? What do you think? I know this is probably a silly question but how long of a stitch length would you use?

I ended up starting to press the ends flat and then press the quilt. Usually cotton will stick to cotton fabric and I put only a few pins in.

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

I ended up starting to press the ends flat and then press the quilt. Usually cotton will stick to cotton fabric and I put only a few pins in.

I did notice when I was pressing the top that it did seem to stick, then I had leave and put it on the design wall, so I will have to see how it is this morning. I may very well be making more of an issue with this than is necessary, one of my many personality faults...that making mountains out of mole hill thing :0) Thanks for taking the time to reply to my request.