Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!  Happy Birthday, USA!  I'm so excited for it to be my turn on the Quilts of Valor blog hop hosted by Jennifer of Dizzy Quilter and sponsored by Island Batik.  When Jennifer asked who would be interested in a Quilts of Valor blog hop, I jumped at the chance.  I've had making a Quilt of Valor on my quilty bucket list for several years.  Island Batik generously sent me a stack (10" squares) plus yardage of their new Freedom collection.  I chose a mega-sized Carpenter's Star.

A carpenter's star has been my favorite block since I made one for on online quilting bee last year.  It's clearly a popular choice, because so far three of us on the Quilts of Valor blog hop made Carpenter's Star quilts!  There is just something about that lovely, large star and red, white, and blue fabrics.

Here is the center of my star.  I pulled out the two lighter blues for the center.  You can also see my quilting in this picture--I did a large spiral with a 2 inch interval.  I mark the center for the start of the spiral with a Clover water soluble pen and the nearest circle in my sewing space--my bobin keeper!  It's a great size for a center circle!

 

Island Batik's Freedom collection is absolutely perfect for Quits of Valor or other patriotic projects.  Here is the fabric Island Batik sent me to work with:

Freedom Stack and yardage

You can find out more about the Quilts of Valor Foundation on their website, which includes quilt requirements, patterns, how to request a quilt for a veteran, and more.  There is a Carpenter's Star pattern on their site but I used the block I made last year as my guide and just made HSTs with my 10" squares.  This pattern was my original inspiration, though I changed the outside corners to background fabric.  Mine finishes at 72" square.

Be sure to check out everyone on the Quilts of Valor blog hop!  And our hostess, Jennifer, has a giveaway for a stack of Freedom fabric 10" squares!

July 1
Becca Fenstermaker — Pretty Piney
Denise Looney — For the Love of Geese
Gail Sheppard — Quilting Gail
July 2
Pamela Boatright — Pamela Quilts
Anne Wiens — Sweetgrass Designs
July 3
Bea Lee —Bea Quilter
Carla Henton — Creatin’ In the Sticks 
July 4
Emily Leachman — The Darling Dogwood You are here!
Joan Kawano — MooseStash Quilting
Jennifer Strauser – Dizzy Quilter
July 5
Steph Jacobson — Steph Jacobsen Designs
Leah Malasky — Quilted Delights
Anja Clyke — Anja Quilts
Maryellen McAuliffe — Mary Mack Made Mine