Sunday, August 2, 2009

Gwen Marston's "Liberated Stars"

I've wanted to take a class from Gwen Marston for years. My Tangled Threads friend Kim has spent several days in Gwen's classes and said she was the best. So I was thrilled that Kim and I were able to take her "Liberated Stars" class in Sisters. Kim's right - what a down-to-earth, nice-as-can-be lady! She has a wonderful way of immediately making you feel like her close friend. I'd take another class from her in a minute - if you ever get the chance I highly recommend you do it. I'd love to attend her Michigan retreat sometime.

This was a very fun class - something I've wanted to try ever since I bought her "Liberated Quiltmaking" book years ago. I knew it would be a challenge as I've always been so anal about seams matching, points, etc. What I learned is one can go too far the other way. Instead of just putting down fabric and stitching, sometimes I tried too hard to liberate points. At least one is liberated way too much - notice the star point that is hardly there? That block will be relegated to the orphan drawer. When I make more I'm going to try to just let it happen instead of over thinking the process.


My friend Kim hard at work.


It was lots of fun to just sew without thinking a lot - the only thinking involved dividing by 3 to determine how to make different size blocks. Not necessarily an easy math problem when trying to figure out the size of a little star to fit into the middle of a big star!

I've pictures of Gwen's quilts in her books, but seeing them in person is always so much better. I love the one with the appliquéd border. Good news for those of you who don't have the Liberated Quilts book and can't afford the sky high price of second hand. Gwen has gotten her publisher to agree to a new edition. It'll be a new book, with much of the same info as the old book plus additions. The "Liberated Baskets" quilt I've pictured will be in that book.











9 comments:

paulette said...

What a fun course to take! I love the liberated stars -I was just looking at a pattern in our local quilting shop -only they called it the Wonky Star. Very neat!
Take care and thanks for sharing!
Paulette

Barb said...

How fun for you!!! Love all of the quilts.

Jan PATEK said...

Looks like you've had lots of fun exploring lots of new things. I love Sue Spargo's embellishment block and what you've done with it so far. And if I had time, I'd go to Gwen Marston's retreat with you. Maybe we should make time. The yarn all looks like cotton candy. I'm not a knitter but your pictures and an old Kaffee Fasset knitting book could get me started if it weren't for the fact that I'm not a knitter for a reason. Everything I make is around 3 sizes too big. :) Glad you're back blogging.

fletch said...

Very cool. I'm quite anal about getting things to match, never feel like I'm good enough. I recently saw the Gee's Bend quilts which put a new spin on things. Many weren't perfect, but they were still beautiful heirlooms.

Thanks for sharing, I'm going to look into the Liberated book!

Unknown said...

I was playing games online however for reading this post more interesting thanks for the share please do keep it going great job....

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sewkalico said...

What a treat this must have been! I love Gwen's stars! It's been a while since I visited, I do hope all is well with you and your family.

Lucy said...

Wow Patti! what a great class. over two days I'm leaving to Gwen's retreat. Isn't it a thrill..

poor said...

It is wonderful that you are thinking of the orphans again.A really nice class I must say where you learn not only to make quilts but it also goes for a very good cause.

Library Gal Quilts said...

Hi Patti! Found your blog today and wanted to share this sew together with you...I too had a class from Gwen last year at Sisters...the liberated basket...what fun!
Check it out http://lazygallibamish2010.blogspot.com/

Pam