Thursday, August 29, 2019

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Star Surround!!!

It's  Thursday and that means another Tutorial Throwback feature.  And today's throw back isn't going very far back as a finish, but goes way back as a start to finish.  In fact, it is probally my longest "WIP" to date.    So here it is, the Star Surround!!!  This was started and the entire quilt top was made as part of the Star Surround Quilt Along back in 2013, but it actually didn't get quilted and finished until this year.   Crazy, but true ;)


The  Star Surround Quilt Along was one of my favorites.  I host a free Quilt Along each year, and this one still remains as one of the most popular I have hosted :)   We had 98 quilters participate and 33 quilts finished and shared at the parade!!   It was so great to quilt along with everyone and see all of the amazing designs!!!!  And the variety of finishes was incredible as the design was offered in 5 different sizes and 4 different layouts.  So fun!! (and a lot of quilt math, which I love ;)    And it's Fat Quarter Friendly and Julie of The Intrepid Thread made up this beautiful custom bundle for it.  


But the main reason I wanted to share this quilt as the Throwback today is because it now has a very special story to go along with it that I will cherish.   A few weeks ago, a very dear friend of mine had to say goodbye as her amazing sweetheart of  60 years slipped away in his sleep from complications of Alzheimers.  These two were the sweetest couple and dear neighbors and friends.   A few days later, my friend celebrated her 80th birthday.  I wanted to bring her something special and knew a quilt was just the right thing to wrap her in love.   But which quilt to give her??   After thinking over it for a bit, I decided on this Star Surround Quilt.  


I wrapped it up in a pretty bow and my daughter and I went to deliver it.   As you can imagine, there were hugs, and cries, and some laughter thrown in too.  But what was the best, as my sweet friend unwrapped the quilt she got tears in her eyes and told me Green was her husband's favorite and that every-time she wrapped up in it she would think of him.  Yup, more tears and hugs ;)   I can't even begin to explain how much I love that a quilt can bring peace and comfort.   It just makes me smile!!



I just love that every time I do the Annual Quilt Along at Happy Quilting, it will remind me of this quilt and my dear sweet friend.  Isn't it just amazing how quilts can have so many wonderful memories tied up in them.   It just makes me so grateful that I found this love of quilting way back and that I get to be part of something that brings such love and happiness and joy. 


I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!    I know I didn't talk about the quilt as much, but hey, that's what this throwback thing is all about.  To share the inspiration, and love, and stories of these quilts.   If you wan't to make your own Star Surround Quilt just click on any of the quilt name links.  This will take you to the page of my finished Star Surround and it has all of the links for each of the free step by step tutorials to make this this quilt start to finish.And when you are done, I would love to see your quilt!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  or or add it to my flickr group here ;)  I can't wait to see your Star Surround Quilts!!!


And one last thing while we are talking about Quilt Along's ;)   Just in case you missed it yesterday, I just announced this years Happy Quilting Quilt Along.  It's called Starstruck and it's going to be so much fun.   Be sure to pop in next Wed. for all the details on quilting along with me ;)  




Thanks for stopping by today and sharing this throwback with me.  
 I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!
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1 comment:

  1. What a sweet story, and that quilt really must have been inspired so many years ago so you could give it to your dear friend! And your new quilt along quilt looks really great! Hugs, H

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa