My Exuberant Hidden Star

Big Reveal shows a glimpse of a hunter star quilt with the silhouette of a woman with a laptop

Welcome to The Quilt Rambler Studio, I’m Karen Overton and I’m exuberant that you are joining me for Day 3 of Deb Tucker’s Exuberance Blog Hop. I know you’ve been inspired already with this beautiful Island Batik fabric collection by Studio 180 Design, as well as all the stunning creations so far by my fellow Certified Instructors. And just think! We’re only halfway!

Today it’s my turn, and I hope to have a bit of “a treat with a twist” for you so be sure to read all this ramble, as we all know good things come to those who wait! 

For those of you that don’t know me, in addition to being a CI with Studio 180 Design,  I’m an Island Batik Ambassador Alumni, Island Batik Designer, Pattern Writer, Traveling Teacher, Longarm Quilter, Blogger, Facebook administrator to Tucker Time (a group sharing the love of Deb’s tools), Oma to two granddaughters and a bit more…I hope you will take a look around, like what you see, then join me in this quilting journey by following my blog and other social media! Please and thank you, a rambler needs an audience.

Now Back to Our Blog Hop!

I love precuts, and I personally believe Island Batik’s 2 ½” strips and 10” stacks are the best all-around due to their signature high-quality cottons teamed up with beautiful designs and vibrant colors! One thing that I appreciate is the straight cut edges, no zig zags to worry about trying to find your ¼” seam (do I measure from the zig or from the zag? Inquiring minds want to know!) I also appreciate how there are two strips, or two squares, of each fabric bundled in the precuts as there are times your design really needs those doubles! 

I chose to make a Hunter’s Star quilt using the 10” precut squares. As a self-proclaimed Precuts Queen, several years ago I figured out how to use Deb’s Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star, Petite to cut the main units of the block from a 10” square. A secret formula I will share with you, dear readers.

But wait! I’m getting ahead of myself! Just in case you aren’t familiar with Studio 180 Design’s tool, and to take notice of how fortunate we are to have it, I wanted to share how “back in the day” folks would make Hunter’s Star blocks.

Hunter’s Star

vintage designs of a Hunter's Star block from Aunt Martha and Carrie Hall

I was able to purchase a copy of Aunt Martha’s vintage pattern book, (a popular quilt block company in the 1930’s). Her design was called Indian Arrowhead. At first, I was excited to see this old traditional block, then I examined it closely and UGH! She had you appliquéing diamonds to a large two-color half square triangle. Gasp! I would have had to pass that pattern on to the next gal in the quilting bee and look for something geometric that I could match seams together and piece with a ¼” seam. (You are correct, dear Watson, I’m not skilled in the art of appliqué). 

I next pulled out my handy dandy Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns by Barbara Brackman and found #1284 Hunter Star attributed to Carrie Hall…hum…getting a little closer to my liking, (at least it looked pieced not appliqué), but I found the substitution of what looks like a half square triangle replacing the trapezoid a bit disconcerting. Is it just me, or does that star look a little wonky, sorta elongated?  At least Aunt Martha’s had better diamonds in my opinion. Also, not a big fan of what I call a “faux-hunter’s star” – you know the ones, that use half square triangles for everything, arranged to resemble a Hunter’s Star (if you were viewing from a galloping horse that is – grin).  

Please recognize that I’m not the quilt police, I’ve said for years that “finished is good” – I just happen to learn through the years that I prefer a good ruler over applique, that I’m a gal who loves geometry, and that I appreciate Deb’s way of doing things, gently over-size and trim to the precise size called for in the pattern, a method that has certainly  helped my piecing since I discovered her tools over a decade ago. Love it when my points match! 

And did I mention that Deb’s way of making a Hunter’s Star doesn’t have you cutting diamonds! Instead, you are strip piecing and trimming. For me, it’s an exuberant joyful combination (grin) with the end results I’m looking for!

Hidden Star

Now it’s time for my big reveal! This is my version of a Hunter’s Star that I called Hidden Star.

a colorful quilt hanging in the woods with a hidden star design
Hidden Star/Hidden Bird

I love how the fabrics in the Exuberance collection work together in this quilt. The bold rich colors and spirited patterns complement each other beautifully, creating an eye-catching finished quilt radiating with energy don’t you think?

a colorful quilt with a hidden star using exuberance fabric collection

I had sew much fun making this quilt, then rushing to get the binding on right before sunset to take photos…so here’s a few more photos since I hustled just for you!

And maybe a little too much fun with hiding my parrot in the photos too (grin). Did ya’ see him or was he hidden among the stars?

Hidden Star is made with 10″ precuts, fabric for the star strips, plus borders, and binding.

I hope you like it as much as I do….but wait! There’s more!

The Promised Treat With A Twist

for those who stayed with me through the ramble

If you’re interested in making your own Hidden Star quilt using the Exuberance collection (10” squares) and the Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star (Petite) tool, I’ve created a YouTube tutorial/quilt along that will walk you through the process. In addition, there is a downloadable PDF with the fabric requirements and detailed written instructions that correspond to the YouTube so you can follow along step-by-step. 

And did I mention, it’s totally free!

I had a lot of fun in The Quilt Rambler Studio making this Quilt Along for you, can’t wait until we can Ramble ‘N Sew together as we make this cheerful arrangement of the Hunter’s Star block!

It’s a Wrap!

Thank you for joining me today for my part in the Exuberance Blog Hop. I know I speak for the others, as overall, we are thrilled to introduce you to the Exuberance fabric collection by Deb Tucker, Studio 180 Design, for Island Batik.

Together we have shown how the designs and colors complement each other so skillfully, making it easy to mix and match to create your own unique look. Whether you choose to use just a few fabrics or incorporate the entire collection, we know that these fabrics will add a touch of joy and exuberance with the result sure to be stunning. We can’t wait to see what you create!

This Is Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler, inviting you to my Hidden Star YouTube Quilt Along!

Don’t forget to visit the other CI’s for the remainder of Deb’s blog hop! 

6 thoughts on “My Exuberant Hidden Star

  1. Clare Beth Rutila says:

    Now, while hand work and applique ARE my thing …
    What a fun design with lots of color layout play options. I just love when there is a ‘secret’ background addition.
    Mostly thank you for pictures with green grass and leaves. The snow banks remain, litteraly, over my head … I can only dream of green.

    • TheQuiltRambler says:

      Yes, we all are ready for a little green aren’t we! Spring can’t some soon enough this year! However, being snow bound should give you more fireside appliqué days perhaps 🤔 Thanks for sharing the quilting journey!

  2. Brenda @ Songbird Designs says:

    It’s beautiful, Karen! I love the blue in the border and the outer border with this collection as well!! Thanks for the tutorial on the Hunter’s Star with the 10″ squares! Have a great rest of the week!

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