You know I love making paper piecing patterns. As soon as I have an idea in my head, I love to draw it up using Adobe Illustrator, draft the pattern and then can’t wait to see it transformed into a quilt block. However, I also hate unfinished projects. Last week I had to make that choice. Even though I had a couple of patterns drafted and waiting to be be sewn, I noticed that I also had accumulated three quilt-tops that needed to be quilted. Mustering up monumental willpower, I put the stack of printed patterns aside and pulled out the Rainbow Star quilt-top from the stack and started working on it, and you know what? I was happy I did.
Photo of the Milky Way taken during a camping trip at Tioga Pass, California
I was captivated by the night sky when I was about 5 years old. It is one of my earliest memories. I remember looking up at the night sky during a power outage and being mesmerized by the pinpricks of light, and that was enough to last a lifetime. Over the years, I acquired a couple of telescopes and started studying the scientific aspects of the night sky. I get so much of my inspiration from the night sky, even when designing quilt blocks.
Purchase Starlight Converging Pattern
It all started with this block called Starlight Converging to represent the birth of a star. This was going to be the only block I was going to make – a small 10″x10″ wall hanging.
This block was put aside for a week or so because I was trying to figure out how I was going to quilt this piece. In the meantime, I was reading a astronomy paper on stars and I wanted to make an opposite block – Starlight Diverging!
Purchase Starlight Diverging Pattern
Starlight Diverging was inspired by supernova explosion. It is not hard, but it contains a lot of sections. Each colour has two sections, and there are 12 colours. However, each section has only 3-4 parts and I had nothing to line up. That was the pay-off for having that many sections.
How could I have Starlight Converging and Starlight Diverging and not have a New Star?! This was easiest and super quick to make. I found it very helpful to cut the white pieces out first.
I put all the blocks together to make a wall hanging called Rainbow Star.
Because I occasionally draw/paint, I wanted to make a colour wheel wall hanging one day. These blocks presented a perfect opportunity to use rainbow colours or colour wheel colours to represent the visible light spectrum. This wall hanging was my take on merging two of my passions together – art and science.
I used a 1.5″ sash between each block and a 2″ border around the blocks. I wanted the wall hanging to have a feel of a set of framed photos. I used mitred corners for that reason and was so proud of them since this is second time ever I have done them!
I had a lot of fun putting the colours together. All of these star quilt patterns are available individually, or as a collection on Shop.
-Soma
23 thoughts on “Rainbow Star”
Margo April 30, 2015 at 13:05
Beautiful works, love your colors.
Catherine @ Knotted Cotton May 27, 2013 at 10:35
This is really pretty – I love your quilting and the way you framed the blocks.
quirkygranolagirl May 25, 2013 at 06:52
Your paper piecing is exquisite!
Renee May 23, 2013 at 10:48
Gorgeous little quilt! I love the vibrant colors in the star setting, your paper piecing is fantastic!
Aoife May 21, 2013 at 08:20
It makes a really lovely wall-hanging!
Carol May 20, 2013 at 21:34
It’s beautiful! Love the colors.
CitricSugar May 20, 2013 at 16:25
So lovely!
Leona March 15, 2013 at 15:30
gorgeous…
Carin March 15, 2013 at 05:32
Your wall hanging is done beautiful, love those colors !!
Lisa Lisa March 14, 2013 at 18:29
Beautiful!
Beulah March 14, 2013 at 17:54
Wow! Your wall hanging is Beautiful! :) I love your color choices! I don’t know which pattern I like best…together they are wonderful!!
Ruthie Quilts March 14, 2013 at 17:26
I love how you quilted them Soma! They just look gorgeous together!!! What an amazing series of blocks!!! (I’d expect no less!)
Rosalee March 14, 2013 at 13:31
Soma, your quilt is breathtakingly beautiful! Love the colors!! The zippered pouch is lovely in the greens (heard that is the new color for this year)! Great job on both!
Tammy March 14, 2013 at 12:47
I am sure she will adore it.. Your quilt turned out very nice.
Aalia March 14, 2013 at 12:31
Oh, Soma these look wonderful all quilted up! I love this series and the quilting just adds to their beauty.
The pouch makes a perfect gift, too. :)
Kim Moran-Jones February 9, 2013 at 23:56
Hi Soma, I was so excited when I saw these patterns of yours that I knew I had to try. Well, I just finished diverging starlight, and while it’s not as neat as yours, I’m really pleased with it (http://www.flickr.com/photos/59466258@N04/8459830165/in/photostream). Thanks heaps for the aewesome pattern,
Kim.
Kim Moran-Jones February 9, 2013 at 23:54
Hi Soma, I was so impressed when I saw these patterns that I knew I had to try. Well, I just finished the diverging starlight (http://www.flickr.com/photos/59466258@N04/8459830165/in/photostream), and even though it’s not as neat as yours, I’m really pleased with how it turned out. Awesome pattern, thanks heaps,
Kim.
Marissa December 25, 2012 at 23:35
Your rainbow star blocks are absolutely gorgeous!
Colette December 22, 2012 at 06:01
Love the paper pieced patterns. I have never done paper piecing but you certainly inspire me.
Ruthie Quilts December 21, 2012 at 14:50
These are just gorgeous Soma! Your patterns and designs are amazing! Hugs!!!
Carin December 21, 2012 at 11:31
Soma, you did a wonderful job on those rainbow blocks. They are fantastic !!!
Terri December 21, 2012 at 11:26
Love your patterns, Soma. They are gorgeous!
Hugs
Rosemary December 21, 2012 at 11:02
I would love t o have the rainbow pattern. Thanks, Rosemary