ST 40th Anniversary Quilt

[Mrs. Vulcan]

Hello,

I was unsure whether to even post this, and which catagory to post it under. But because I need ideas for comparison and to get supplies asap, here goes.

Is there anyone on this forum, or who knows of someone else that makes patchwork quilts/pillows, and would be willing to discuss layout ideas for a patchwork top design for the Star Trek 40th Anniversary Year?

It is also my 40th Birthday in May, and I would like to make a special ST quilt or pillow for the occasion. I already have a few initial ideas, but nothing that can't be altered if someone can come up with 'the' one.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help
Kindest Regards

[TrekkieMage]

I don't quilt, but I do sew and I am an artist. So I could probably help you out a bit. Do you have any images of what you want to do?

Oh, this could probably fit under 'Fanart', but you may want to PM a mod about that

[Cathexis]

[Mrs. Vulcan]

TrekkieMage and Cathexis,

Thank you both for your offers of help, I'm really pleased that you got in touch, as I'd been wondering if it was going to be a no go for suggestions after I posted, and debating on going ahead with the idea.

I've tried tracking down some ST print fabric for some of the patches, and/or borders but no one seems to know where, or if there has ever been any available.

I've just received a phone call today from a quilting shop who has kindly offered to help me search for appropriate fabrics, and to used her own quilting tables to lay it out for sewing up and quilting, which is a 'job and a half' in itself when you try working on a dining room table or the floor.

The question now is, design. Below are just a few of the things I've been considering, that either need elaborating or alternative suggestions being put forward.

The main colours (backing) aiming towards the darker blues/black star field theme, with lighter bands for the borders... possibly yellows as actual silver or metalic fabric can look too overpowering on a quilt and frays easy.

For the central panel.
1) ST emblems/badges within a patchwork star alternating between a plain or patterened fabric square to balance the design.
2) Or do I pick one particular ship/station... Enterprise, Voyager, DS9... or combine the whole into one.

Possibly to use fabric paint or applique to put small designs onto the fabric patches and areas of the borders, then quilt around it when it's all sewn together. Myself I think shaded fabric paint may add more depth to the actual emblems.

Somewhere it will need a 40th Anniversary on it.

I thought that making the patches either 10inch or 12inch sq would be ideal to make up a pattern with enough room in the centre to add an emblem.

I'm going to the Quilting shop on Saturday to begin looking for the fabric ideas, and any pointers on whether to use or disregard any of the above would be greatly appreciated.

Again thanks for posting, and I look forward to hearing from you again.

Mrs. Vulcan

[TrekkieMage]

Oooh. Very nice.

I think you can find space-themed fabric (stars/nebula-ish). And you could quilt some really intersting images with some nice...I don't think I'm making any sense.

I threw an image together in paint, I don't know if you could do something like this, but...


With the blue being a nebula like print, and the black being stars. And then something else.

Am I making any sense at all, or do I sound like a blabering idiot (which is quite possible)?

[Mrs. Vulcan]

Nebula!? Nice idea and layout. I like!

I also really like the idea of the 40th Anniversary being in the middle of the Comm Badge in the centre of the quilt. I think that if I keep with the 10 or 12 inch squares of patches and fabric, the Comm badge may have to be smaller, but I'll chart it up to see how it turns out and will let you know.

And that blue is my favourite colour and exactly the shades I was determined to put in it too.

I've got the Encyclopedia out for a browse, and my son has just reminded me that we have the ST sticker book with badges and emblems in it. He's gone to dig it out so I can flip through that as well.

I'm really looking forward to doing this quilt. My last one took about three to four weeks to get the design charted up and supplies collected. Depending on what we come up with for the final design, it should be ready for the cutting stage by the latter week of Febuary.

You are making total sense

[TrekkieMage]

Yay

I do think they've got some fun nebula-esque. I googled some stuff and came up with this:

http://purrfectpastimes.com/fabric/coordinates.html

But if you browse through your local fabric store I'm sure you'll come up with some good stuff. I'd ask if you have any large chain stores, but there really aren't too many chain fabric stores I was just at the local fabric store today, I should have looked for space-y fabric. Do'h.

But yeah. I was thinking something like that purple-y fabric (except more blue) for the edge. Or you could alternate between blue and purple squares.

[Cathexis]

^^Sounds good, TM!

I think you mean periwinkle??

[TrekkieMage]

Thanks

No, periwinkle is too light. More like a deep purple alternating with a deep purple-ish blue. Pretty color combination

[Mrs. Vulcan]

My thank also.

I totally agree with the colour scheme you've suggested and will be looking at fabric in those tones for some of the patches and/or borders.

My own quilting patterns in their entirety aren't really what I'm looking for, so I'm off to the library tomorrow to see what I can dig up to help with the changes or other ideas. Then off for some 'retail therapy' on Saturday.

We do have some shops that do sell some great fabric, which I'll also be visiting. But I'm still going to visit the quilting shops to find the specialised fabric which will be appropriate for the quilt.

I still really like the title... 'Nebula'

[TrekkieMage]

Yay I've never made/designed/helped with a quilt before, so I'm really happy that I'm actually being of use!

[Mrs. Vulcan]

I just thought I'd update you on how things are going. The shop I went to have some wonderful fabrics. I've managed to find some that is the same pattern as the Nebula from the link you sent, TrekkieMage. It's Cobalt Blue Nebula and I love it, and also some navy with a spattering of silver speckles on that reminded me of a star field. I've been told of an even larger quilting shop in another town, and have decided to have a trip out next week to take a look at what they've got before I buy any more.

I'm not sure what you know about patchwork and quilting blocks, but one of the designs I've come up with is a variation of the Log Cabin, called 'Barn Raising'. If you think 'NO' please tell me.

Whatever size the blocks, the centre is the join of four blocks with lilacy-purple for the centre of the nebula. Next it goes to dark blue further out, then to a lighter colour again (I thought green or light blue), back to dark blue and so on etc...
It takes on the appearence of a diamond shaped pattern that gets wider as it goes out towards the edge.

Inside each block is a smaller square that I though could contain a patchwork star on a navy or black background with either a plain centre square or a Star Trek emblem appliqued or stencilled and quilted on it. I haven't decided on what size yet, but if it's to be an 18 inch block, either 4x4 or 5x5 blocks and a border.

Shall I go with this... or try something else... like this below?

I did think that the picture of Voyager sailing across Saturn's rings or through the solar system with the nebula-type of sky that's on the intro music would be brilliant as a lovely centre panel. Don't know how the heck I could do it, but.... any other ideas?

[TrekkieMage]

I'm not entirely sure what the terminology means, but it sounds really neat!

Maybe you could post a picture of it (or the drawings/fabric/etc.)?

[Mrs. Vulcan]

I would love to, but scanner hasn't been working properly at the moment. I'm hoping to get a new one very soon, though.

I'll have a ferret around the web and see if someone.... somewhere has done something similar for you to have a look at and I'll post the link.

[TrekkieMage]

Shiny

I'm really curious about what you're doing, I've seen quilts, but never had anything to do with one.