Double Star in Thirteen Color Combinations

Over two years ago I made this Double Star block as part of the Skill Builder Sampler and last week I thought that I would revisit it.

This is the block I made.  Much lighter and more open than the original.  Before I came up with this coloring I played with quite a few others.  You see, I bought myself EQ7 as an early Christmas present and had to make it earn it's keep.  ;)  (I love that program!)  After trying a few different color combos I kept coloring to see how many different color/value combinations I make. 

The first time I saw this block the quilter used this rainbow fabric placement.  I really love the look.  I might have to make another block.  :)  Here are the other designs I came up with:

  "Fire Star" blocks for my 4 year-old super hero girl.

 

I love the navy and blue color combo! 

 I grant you, there are probably easier ways of piecing some of these variations, but wow!  Pretty amazing what differences color placement and value can make.  You can find the tutorial for this block here.  

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy Sewing New Year!
Keep warm!  The high here tomorrow is going to be -8F/-22C.  I'll be staying inside (and hopefully sewing).  :)

Value, Color, Orientation and Amazing Talent!

I just spent an hour looking through the Skill Builder Sampler Flickr Pool.  You guys are AMAZING!   So many cool fabric combinations!   I have a serious case of fabric envy.  :)

As I was going through all of the pictures I realized that the same block could have many different "looks".  Let's look at the Double Star block.  (You can click on any of these pictures to see them in Flickr.)

This Double Star by Gina uses the same light/dark combos my example block did.  I love how refreshing it looks, like a pool.

Then CrizzyZ2 used a light fabric in the middle that gave the block a more open fresh look.  Love the coral fabric!

Cassie used the same fabric for two of the "rounds."  It looks like a completely different block!  Seriously love it!  There are so many different looks you can achieve depending on what fabric you choose and where you place it!

And then there are the different looks you get when you flip block pieces.

Mama Thomps block, with the flipped outer geese, is a great example of this.  Doesn't her Double Star look rich?

Take a look at these accidental beauties.

Miss 376/Loopylou flipped some inner geese on accident, but I think it gives the block a fun look.  I like the side chevrons it forms and would like to see a block with both inner geese flipped.  We could name it The Loopylou Star.  :)

Tusen accidentally flipped her geese on the Virginia Star and came up with this.  Love it!  I think a whole quilt of these would be great.  Does anyone know if this block already has a name?  If not, The Tusen Cross it is!  :)

And Leia added an extra layer of fun and complexity to Breaking Out.  It took me a second to figure out what was different - can you see it?  Instead of solid side strips she added a corner square and extra blue goose!

I love seeing how you take these tutorials and make them your own.  This is what I love about quilting - the creativity and skill it takes to put bits of fabric together and make something more beautiful than the individual pieces.  Sometimes it doesn't turn out like expected (and that can be a very good thing!), but that is part of the journey and makes the successes all the more sweet.  I am so glad we can share this Sampler journey together.   Thank You!!!

Alright...sappiness officially over - go look at some more quilts.  ;)