For years I taught a class I called Spinstar. It was my version of a “Stack and Whack” pattern, and it was very popular.

Then my friend Ruth showed the Fiberistas how to make a different version of Stack and Whack called One Block Wonder, and ever since I’ve been hooked on making these fun blocks. In fact, one of my recent quilts was made for my friend’s new little one, Nathan (click here to read about that quilt). A few weeks ago I got to meet him and give him his quilt and book.

The technique Ruth taught for fussy cutting the triangles worked quite well. I decided to use it for a Spinstar baby quilt I’m currently making. It’s for my cousin’s daughter who’s expecting in June. The theme is woodland creatures. So, a few weeks ago, while on a trip to Portage, WI to visit our accountant, we stopped at the Welcome Home Sewing Center.

I posted about this great quilt shop in Portage last year (click here for that post), and I knew I wanted to return.
Diane and her staff are delightful! And her fabric selection is great. They were having a 10% off all fabrics sale while we were there plus ~ they had a special offer going on that is uniquely their own. It’s called “crack the wrap”. If you find a bolt you like that hasn’t been unwrapped yet. They will crack the plastic wrap and give you a discount depending on how many yards you buy. I couldn’t resist purchasing 3 yards of a beautiful turquoise floral, and I got a fourth yard free! What a wonderful deal!

I also found a sweet woodland animal print for the baby quilt, and some nice coordinating fabrics to go with it. None of these were in the wrapping, but two of them were the end of the bolt so I got 15% off! WooHoo!
My favorite part of making the spinstar blocks is laying out the identical triangle stacks to see the patterns they create.

By laying some of them on the different background fabrics I could determine which one to use.

Mike and I both preferred the blue. I began sewing the blocks together and was having trouble getting my seam allowance to be even. I don’t know if you’ve experienced this, but I’ve had it happen before and I remembered what to do. I’d been stitching something that required my open toe presser foot, but when I went back to precision piecing I needed to put the basic closed toe foot back on. That did the trick!

I finished the quilt in time for the shower, and I was pleased with the results.

I even found a sweet book to go with it at a Ladies Retreat I recently attended. The author had a table there, and I couldn’t resist her stories that teach lessons from the Bible!

I wrapped it all up and gifted it to Kirstin at her shower. Shortly thereafter she sent me this photograph of Arthur’s room:

I think she liked it 😊! I can’t wait to meet this new little one!