Hi Friends,

Happy almost Thanksgiving for all of my American friends, and to everyone else I hope your holidays are off to a wonderful start!!

I am sooo excited to share this super sweet quilt pattern called Stargazers by Corinne Wells from Frannie B Quilt Co., that I had the privilege to quilt. Today is release day!!! Click on that Stargazers link above to get your copy of her pattern.

Corinne and I talked about some modern quilting…nothing specific, and this is what I came up with. I wish you could each see the soft creams and beautiful prints by Gabrielle Neil Design for Riley Blake. I just love the combo of all of it together.

I used a cream thread from Superior Threads and 8020 cotton poly blend batting from Winline out of Ogden Utah.

As you look at the background in the picture below, you’ll notice random x or plaid like blocks. You’ll also notice my Overlapping Circles design throughout the background. There is a rhyme and reason behind it all. There are randomly placed squares, amongst several rectangles. I wanted to add some extra depth and variety to the background, and so in each of the square blocks I quilted a plaid like x. In each of the rectangular blocks, I quilted my Overlapping Circles design. So, that gave me a boundary of sorts for each design. Which helped the plaid like x, dance around the background. I love the combination. The Overlapping Circles add some softness and whimsy to this quilt. It’s my take on some softer modern quilting.

If you’ve been hoping to try freemotion quilting, you’re in luck!! I have a Quilting It Freemotion™ course in my shop. I chose 10 different designs to teach. If you already longarm quilt, and have wanted to learn some new designs, check out some of my more advanced designs…and if you’re a beginner, I suggest you start with Stippling and work your way through each of the classes. As you practice, you’ll be well on your way to quilting confidently. It’s so much fun!!!

Lets first start with the plaid x…I used my favorite Edge rulers from Linda at The Quilted Pineapple. I started with an X, and then used those lines to quilt a 1/2” line on both sides of each side of the X. I also paid attention to the corners, as you can see below, and made sure they felt complete. When the squares are together, like pictured below, they naturally create another mini four patch in the corners.

I used my 3” Circle2™ machine quilting circle ruler to quilt all the curves in the stars. I repeated that same X in the center of the star, and did the orange peel petals on it instead of the 1/2” lines. Then used the same 3” Circle2™ ruler to quilt the curves around the outside of the star. Easy to do, and such a beautiful design.

Ultimately, I wanted the quilting to look like it was layered. As if the Overlapping Circles are in the background, and the plaid X is layered just on top, of course with the stars on the very top. The textures are just sooo beautiful all together.

Now…I want to make one and quilt it the exact same!! I love it that much!

I love these close up pictures that show the details, yet as you look into the distance you can see the beautiful textures. I love what I do!

This is a look at my 3”/9” Circle2™ ruler, and also the green set stacked on top of one another. The sizes of circles range from 2” to 13”, with two circles per ruler. Be on the look out for some videos on how to use them. They will be located on my @leishakaye instagram. I even have a video or two from quilting this quilt.

Circle2™ Ruler - Design Patent D875,574 -

My Circle2™ rulers are 1/4” thick, and are made with high quality acrylic in America. I use them nearly every time that I custom quilt, they are that versatile. I’m so grateful for the variety of sizes. For more info about my rulers, check them out in my shop.

I want to thank everyone who shopped during my sale, and those of you who have done so in the past. I really am so grateful to be apart of such a wonderfully supportive quilting community. Thanks for letting me be apart of it with you.

I hope this holiday season is a wonderful one for each of you!! Take care, and happy quilting.