* I prefer to lay out my strip sets next to my sewing machine, starting on the bottom with Strip Set 1 (it will be the last one I sew together), next Strip Set 2, in a basketweave to Strip Set 1. (think strip set 1 strips go vertical, strip set 2, strips go horizontal) This keeps them nice and organized and I don't arbitrarily pick up extra strips from another set. Also, if they're next to my sewing machine, I can't mess them up in transport!

*Background strips are part of the strip sets. They are put in there so that we don't have to do any tubin, looping or seam ripping that is normally associated with bargello! Faster! Love that!

*Note that after I had you cut all those little strips, I have you sewing the same color back together again...YES!!! This is important!! This is the only seam in the whole diamond you have to line up, so bear with me on this!

*I like to string piece my strips together for each strip set. It keeps them in order and I don't cuut the thread inbetween them until AFTER I have pressed the seams and am sitting back down in front of my machine to sew more seams. 

*Assembling your strip set:
If you sew two by two's, press your seams, then sew sets of two together going the opposite way, you'll keep your strip sets from bowing.

*Pressing:
I have definite opinions about pressing and so will you when you go to quilt it! Press those seams open by doing the following:
   Set the seam with your iron, not scrubbing it, but think big elephant footprints stepping on the seam. 
   Open the seam with the nose of the iron, and press. Try to pull the strips from the end--once the seam is set this method should help pop them open.
   THEN spray starch and press the seam again. This will "glue" the seam open. (if you spray starch before you open it, it will glue it shut)

March Quilty Box features a double proud moment for me, the batik collection, Northern Lights I designed and the pattern Olivia's Star I designed!

To encourage completion of lots of Olivia's Star, I thought I'd put a few helpful tips and tutorials here so anyone can reference them. Currently, you can still grab a Quilty Box for March so click on the link and let's get going!!

Organization is key for an easy finish, so here's some quick tips to help!!

Bargello Buddies
*When you open your fat quarter bundle, you'll notice there are TWO light batiks. Those are what I refer to in the pattern as background. Background is NOT the setting fabric, in the photo that's the dark blue. This fabric you get to choose your own once your diamonds are made. It allows you to personalize it or choose a favorite color if you're giving this as a gift.

*The rest of the fat quarters are BARGELLO BUDDIES! What are bargello buddies??! They are the fabrics that go together in a bargello. You need 7 for this project and they need to be labelled A thru G. You do not have to keep them in the same order I did. If you are fond of the aqua color, move it to position A or B--those two will occur in every strip set which means every segment of the diamond, so the diamond will "read" that color more than anything else.

*Also remember, when you rearrange, Bargello Buddy A will be next to B, B will be next to C etc. A won't ever touch C or D. So when playing with these, if you don't like the certain colors together, they won't be! They just need a couple transition buddies that are fond of each other. Kind of like kids lining up for class. If you're a teacher, you may never put Billy in line next to Sam because there will be trouble, but if you put Tracy inbetween them, it all works out and everyone shines!

What are you drawn to in a project?
I love a little of this, a little of that, probably not so fond of the projects that are endless blocks, all the same, just sitting at my machine sewing.

This project has a little bit of applique, a little bit of bargello, a little bit of reverse applique, a different kind of setting and not to huge to be intimidating. So take the Heartflower's challenge and give it a try! The pattern is in American Quilter March 2021. I'm teaching one class on it, at Quilter's Dream in Loveland, CO at the end of this month, join me!

Bargello as Reverse applique!
My favorite way of adding color and movement to any project is with bargello. Bits of Bargello  (that's actually the title of my book I wrote on the subject. Visit my store page if you're intrigued and grab a copy!) Heartflower's gives you a taste of that, kind of like starting out gardening, you plant maybe a small planter box and see what you can achieve. In this project I created the bargello and then used it in a reverse applique technique, limiting the movement of the bargello to just the heart flower.
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In the pattern, the travel itinerary is given, small segments of bargello are created. It's not hugely important to match seams, you're just looking for eye catching intrigue of the movement of color. Note the bargello segment is bigger than the heart?? That's so you can have different looking hearts if you'd like. Also allows for smaller seams, or if you cut out a larger heart than I did! Beginner friendly!!

​Choices in Applique
I chose to applique my flower pot and leaves first, made the piece easier for my to hold and manipulate while doing hand applique. If you prefer machine applique for those pieces, you might want to get your bargello in place first, then the other pieces. One you cut that heart out, you've got to place the bargello there!!

Favorite Things
Speaking of cutting, my must have gadget for reverse applique bargello are the duck bill applique sissors. Easily trim for no shadowing and no risk in cutting the front! Because bargello has a lot of seams, traditional sissors don't work as well. Yes, I use them to trim behind hand applique as well. Have to have two uses for a favorit thing!!

    Love them!
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So what's a Quilty Box?! It's a box of quilty goodies that will show up at your door each month of projects you get to explore!

You can sign up for one to try, maybe inspired by a designer you just love, or a subscription to expand your quilty toolbox each month. My box is shipping March 2021 and features my Northern Light Collection of batiks.

But what else is in it??! Well there's a special pattern created by the designer, especially for the Box, that showcases the wonderful fabrics, but also some favorite gadgets or tools the designer finds super useful.

​I actually chose TWO patterns and Quilty Box added a third one!! So you get a choice to try! And I'm a gadget girl, love to find a new gadget to try, but am rather finicky, want to make sure I can justify those gadgets. So gadgets need to hold up to at least two applications. 

So Why the Northern Lights Collection??
This is such a color focused collection! It started with the thought of creating motion with color, in a batik, that reflects the idea of Northern Lights. Adding in a kind of galaxy design, to give the feel of a night sky too. The rich bright colors up against the dark night sky kind of colors is a favorite blend of batiks!!