What does Carl Sagan have to do with quilting?

Years ago I loved the PBS mini series "Cosmos' and it's host Carl Sagan, watching Carl walk though space and environments just thrilled me. I was captivated by his voice and  inspired by his knowledge. It's that geeky-ness in me that is still to this day in awe over the universe and all it's beauty! (and I hate to admit it but I even had a tiny crush on Carl - knowledge is sexy ya' know!)

So still I haven't explained how Carl and a quilt could possibly be related - but it's this love of the universe and our world's beauty that inspired me to create this quilt. You may remember this post Something at least something at the beginning stages of the design. All the EPP hexagons are hand appliqued and the quilting is free-motion on my home machine that mimics the movement of the spirals.

I did finish it for the Kona Solids Challenge, and it has hung in our dining room as the 'Un-Named' quilt for almost a year now. I have decided to enter it in the 2013 Emerald Coast Quilt Show and Retreat, this will be a first for me. I am somewhat of an introvert, and this is a little bit outside my comfort zone. But with the help of our quilt guild ECMQG I have been slowly learning to handle people viewing and critique my quilts.

I ran in to a friend and fellow guild member at a local quilt shop and she encouraged me to enter it in the show, otherwise I would have never dreamed of doing this. We talked of how it's good to see different styles of quilting art and how the design process is so individual. Then we started discussing the labels or definitions that so many feel the need to place on quilting styles, as in 'Modern', 'Traditional' and so forth. We both agreed that labels can be limiting, and that the best way to describe our works are ART! - but I digress... more about labels and pigeon holes another day. 

I have named this quilt 'Cosmos' even though I want to call it Carl ;)  - I wouldn't say its my best work, but it is my most favorite quilt because it is 'me' and inspired by my love of science.

So I guess in a way you could say this is 'Cosmos' - My personal voyage, and it's only just begun!!


If you want to learn some amazing things or just watch a few episodes you've seen before
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage or IMDb info on Cosmos.


"The cosmos is also within us, we're made of star-stuff. We are a way for the cosmos, to know itself. " - Carl Sagan

Sneak Peek: What I'm working on today

'LOVE' is in the air...

Or at least in my sewing room.

I have volunteered to do a paper piecing demo at Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild for our next meeting (Feb 9th - please join us if you can) and the pattern we are using is 'LOVE' letters by Kelly from Kelby Sews. Are they just too cute for words?! (yea, I know I'm such a goof) She did a great tute at Sew Mama Sew, and she is a sweetie of a lady too - you should check it out!!

Kelly's 'LOVE' Mini Quilt

I was inspired to use Piece O'Cake's  'Forever Fresh' pattern but I changed the size to go better with the 'Love' letters I did at 50% sized down from the original.

Piece O'Cake Designs 'Forever Fresh'

My version

At this point I am not sure if I want a colorful border or just white and black print fabric border.

My Test Block

Nubees May 2012 Hive 3 my test block, a photo by labellacolori on Flickr.

Here is the test block, so what do you think?

Drafting a Spinning String Star Block

I am trying to draft a block and this is what I have so far tested in paint. Why did I use ms-paint instead of QE7, well... I didn't have my lap top at the time this inspiration hit me :) The design in real life will be a perfect 12 inch square finished (12.5 unfinished).

Using 1.5 inch strips and the center from a template I am drafting. Simple but dramatic, that's what I am going for and so far I think it's close to what I have in mind. Once start cutting and sewing I will know for sure.