I am getting ready to take a class using the lucky stars pattern. The pattern calls for yardage for the background, binding and backing. Clearly from the picture, there are several fabrics for the background. I have no idea how much and how many colors to buy. I do have a nice bolt of white muslin to use as backgrounds for the stars. What do you do? I want to shop JoAnn's sale this weekend. Here is a link to the pattern.

http://www.virginiaquilter.com/cgi-l...html?E+scstore

The pic looks like the actual background for all the blocks is white/off-white, like muslin...the different colors look to be the rectangles around each block...I don't know that it would be considered sashing, but more like each star is a different color, then you have the muslin, and then each of those blocks you put different colors around the edges of each block...I love muslin, and think it will look great! Are you going to use batiks? Can you tell from the picture how many different colors there are? I imagine you can use whatever you like...personalize it to your tastes and such...maybe each center square of the star can be a different color, and then you use those same colors to edge around the muslin, in a design you choose..??..good luck, and hope you post a pic of what you decide..

I can't help with your question but that's going to be one beautiful quilt. Enjoy your class.

Thank you. Maybe I should contact the instructor as to sashing and star material requirements. The pattern directions didn't specify. We are having an info meeting Thursday, but want to shop the sale! This will be my first beginning to end quilt, other than the rag quilts I make. I want to make a queen or twin. Will that be to much? I am planning to quilt it using the stipple stitch pattern on my Bernina.

I have the pattern.

kids 12 blocks - 1.25 yds background fabric
lap 20 blocks - 2 yds
twin 30 blocks - 3 yds
queen 42 blocks - 4.25 yds
king 64 blocks - 6.25 yds

Isn't the stipple stitch pattern that's included on the Bernina really small, too small for quilting?

One fat quarter for each block needed.

I really don't know. Advice please?

Ok. Fat quarters in addition! Thanks! How many lights vs darks would you purchase? It is for a boy.

That's hard to say. I see the pattern being more mediums than lights. Probably about half and half. On projects like this, I like to go to my LQS and buy from a line of fabric. For the queen size I would get a bundle of fat quarters. There is generally a good mix of lights to darks.

You might want to purchase 1/4 yards of fabric. Some of JoAnn's FQs aren't the best quality and would harder to sew with. You can find good fabric at JoAnn's but you have to consider each bolt individually unless it's from one of the better lines like Legacy. I found Alexander Henry there recently.

Good luck!!

I've made several of the Lucky Stars Quilts. You need one FQ plus background fabric for each block. After you cut, you rearrange so that you have one color for the center, another for the star points. After the center is constructed and cut down to size, then you add 6 different color blocks to surround the star. You can use any colors you want, but I would avoid FQ colors that closely match the background because they will get lost when those are used for the star points. I've had a couple that I've swapped out at the last minute because there wasn't enough contrast.

and may i say, yours is beautiful,on your avitar!

Thanks! Here are the others I've made. Enjoy!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-54842-1.htm

It looks like the background is white or light fabric and then you buy the coloured material or jelly roll for the sashings.

I have that pattern and I believe that it's usable using fat quarters.

This is a beautiful quilt!!!!

I don't know, but I'm bout to go to this site and shop.

Ditto. There are all grades of fabric there, but the FQs all seem to be really skimpy. I found a Michael Miller Christmas fabric there a couple of weeks ago.

oops,

Use the white Muslin. I have made this pattern ALOT and the white muslin will work fine. Please post pics! And the pattern is VERY FQ friendly!

Thank you. Your advice helps!

I have lots of Christmas fabric. (Used to make ornaments!) I am counting yardage now. Maybe I will just bust into that! Thanks!

I think that this would a great time to pick fabrics from your stash. Looks like a very scrappy quilt to me. They are the best kind.

I always use from my stash of neutrals for the back ground. I think it gives it much more interest so buy several neutral and have leftovers for another quilt.

If you're talking about the built-in decorative stipple stitch pattern, it is not suitable for an overall quilting pattern because it can't be enlarged enough. It's just a decorative stitch and its width is limited by the width of the needle movement left and right. But you can do a free motion stipple with your Bernina. If you have the BSR, the machine will do the stitch regulation for you and make FMQ much easier.

Very nice quilt, easy to make and the advice given is right. I made one and plan to make more. Good luck and have fun! :)

All Atkinsons Design patterns are right on when it comes to purchasing fabric. Just follow what the pattern calls for. It will all work out....trust me. :)

After looking at your quilts I decided I just had to have the pattern. Found it on sale at Quilt in a Day, but just as I was about to buy it I thought I better check my patterns first. Whew! I already had it. Just FYI, the pattern is on sale at Quilt in a Day - http://quiltinaday.com/shoponline/pa...ay.asp?i=24650

LOL I do that with fabric all the time...I guess I must really love a print if I end up with 3 different pieces of it!

I thought so. looks like a fat quarter pattern.

I always wanted to make on of this, while searching online I came across this and thought it might help. Good luck and happy sewing.
Lucky Stars Quilt Pattern
Atkinson Designs
Kids - 45" x 60"
12 fat quarters
1 1/4 yards background
1/2 yard binding
2 3/4 yards backing

Lap - 60" x 75"
20 fat quarters
2 yards background
5/8 yard binding
3 3/4 yards backing

Twin - 75" x 90"
30 fat quarters
3/4 yard binding
5 1/4 yards backing

Queen - 90" x 105"
42 fat quarters
4 1/4 yards background
7/8 yard binding
8 yards backing

King - 120" x 120"
64 fat quarters
6 1/4 yards background
1 yard binding
11 yards backing

I knew I saw that quilt on here, and I live it.

way too small for quilting IMHO. I had that stitch on my Bernina 150. It would be okay for a mini quilt...maybe.

All of your quilts in there many varieties of color are simply wonderful....thanks so much for sharing.

Thanks! I am going shopping tomorrow! I may also get into my Christmas fabric for this!

This was the pattern of my very first completed quilt. Made it for my DGD. It is a very pretty quilt and I just used a meandering pattern on the LA. Enjoy your class.

Thanks to all! I just went through my Christmas fabric and have what equals to 100 fat quarters! Guess it is time to bust the Christmas stash! I am going to look for a neutral/gold mottled fabric for the background!

I have never completed a traditional quilt. I chickened out and made rag quilts.

I will finish this. I will quilt this. I will learn to machine quilt. I am most terrified of the quilting, but I have watched the you tube videos a million (well not really) times and I know I can do it!

Thank you all for your help!