Stars of Peace: Let the stitching begin:)

 IT'S HERE!!

After many hours of work
 I am beyond excited to bring my
Stars of Peace: Sestercentennial Sampler
quilt pattern to you!
Lots of information in this post
so please read to the end.

I am very proud of my 

family's military service

and of all the military members

and their families

that sacrifice much 

more than most will ever know.

In honor of those who sacrifice,

I will be highlighting some

not-so-well-known heroes of 

the Revolutionary War each month

with the block for that month.

There will also be a bit of history

about the block shown (designer, etc).

MONTH 1:

Eagle and Stars set on a background

of 4 blocks together.

After I drew my eagle, I thought I 

remembered a myth about what the 

direction of the head meant.

I asked my fellow historians in the 

American Quilt Study Group and 

this is what I was told:

"When the eagle on the presidential

seal faces left and the talons hold

arrows, we are at war. 

When it faces right and holds olive branches, 

we are at peace.

The presidential seal doesn't switch out

like that but the information is interesting.

I am glad I drew it facing right but I 

left out the olive branches for ease of applique'.

The block I used to create the center is 

originally attributed to Nancy Cabot, a 

syndicated column writer and quilt designer

from the 1930s.

Now to the QAL:
Thank YOU for being here.
 I look forward to 
lively participation!

The FULL pattern is available as a 
PDF digital download HERE at an
introductory price of $20 until 
February 7th, 2025
(Reg price $25)
Etsy offers tips for printing digital patterns.
Please be sure to print ACTUAL SIZE.
All templates have a 1" square for accuracy.
This is a single-copy purchase for a single user!
Copies may not be forwarded or copied to 
be shared with others!

The pattern is required for the QAL.
My accompanying posts and videos
will not provide any measurements.
I will be providing technique
tips and history tidbits.

The QAL will take place in 

my FB Group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 with blog posts
adding additional information.
Make sure all your notifications
are turned on so you don't miss anything.

If you aren't a member yet, please 

answer all 3 questions an agree to the 

rules in order to be accepted. Thank you.

SCHEDULE
Looks like a lot but time flies when we quilt:)
February 2025: Pattern Release
February '25-April '26: 1 block per month

May '26: Finishing Instructions

June '26: Time to get it quilted

July 2026: Show that baby off to all 

who will want to see to celebrate 

our country's 250th birthday. 

I will also be offering a block by block option.
Block 1-Eagle/Stars will be available on 
February 1st, 2025 for $8.
It will include all the pattern instructions.

Subsequent blocks will be $5 each.

You can find month 1 HERE.

Just hearing about all of this?
Follow these links to catch up:)
Introduction
Fabric selection & Supplies

OK, 

Ready ~ Set ~ GO!

See you over on FB

In case you forgot to click over:)

AVAILABLE HERE

Stars of Peace QAL: Fabric and Supplies

 

We are only 3 days away 

from this fun and inspiring quilt along!

So Exciting!!

If you are new to the conversation,

go read the introduction HERE...

we will wait:)

Fabrics:

As you can see in the photo above, there
are more than just 1 red, white, or blue.

I didn't quite go scrappy nor did I 

stick to my usual organized, cohesive look.

I decided to mix it up a bit this time.

The pattern will have overall yardage (ex. Red- #yards)

 and if you choose to go a bit scrappier, just 

add up your pieces to total yardage listed.

I added cutting instructions to each block

so, while you are doing the QAL with us,

there is no reason you can't choose

as you go and shop your stash.

Supplies:

This is pretty straight forward piecing project.

I like to use 40 wt thread for piecing

and will put opposing colors top/bottom

for blending purposes (red top-blue bottom).

You will need fusible web for the eagle

and stars if you choose to add them.

I like Pellon's 805 Wonder Under.

I find it easy to use and light weight.

I also use Magic Sizing vs starch or 

other pressing agents. It will keep your

seams nice and flat (very helpful for all

the bias seams).

If you right click on image then save to your computer, 

you can print out to start assembling supplies.

There are a couple of 

"(highly recommended)"

supplies that are optional 

but awesome to have.

Obviously if you don't have a

light box then a great 

window works wonders.

Then there are the slotted trimmers

by New Leaf Stitches....

I have trimmed my HSTs a 

multitude of ways but these

have been by far the easiest!

I almost didn't mind the trimming-LOL!

As a reminder, "Stars of Peace" 

will be available for sale in my 

Etsy shop as a full PDF download 

on February 1st, 2025.

The full pattern will be released 

at an introductory

rate of $20 for the first week only

(it will go up to $25 after that).

The pattern will also be

released as a BOM with 

each month posted for sale 

in my Etsy shop.

You will need a pattern to participate.

Every month, I will present a block

via a post here, in my newsletter,

and in my FB group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles.

We will be doing all the discussion

and ooohing/aaahing of 

fabric choices in the FB group.

See you in 2 short days!

~~~

Please leave a comment if you

have questions or email me

at 

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

Thank you:)

Stars of Peace QAL: Introduction

As some of you may know, 
I come from a military family.

After joining the Coast Guard myself, 

I met and married my husband then

 followed him in his 30 years of service.

We were fortunate to be able to see 

a great deal of the country through 

our moves, learning the history and culture

of many regions.

It was an honor to be a part of the 

Coast Guard and its missions.

As a quilter, I am involved with the 

Quilts of Valor Foundation.

The foundation's mission is an 

important message to those that

serve our country, you are not forgotten,

you are appreciated.

Why a QAL?

As our country prepares to celebrate

250 years as America, I choose

to celebrate through my design work and 

stories about my travels.

I am excited to have you here, 

stitching along!

When and How?

"Stars of Peace" will be available

for sale in my Etsy shop as a full

PDF download on February 1st, 2025.

The applique' templates

are full sized.

The full pattern will be released 

at an introductory

rate of $20 for the first week only

(it will go up to $25 after that).

The pattern will also be

released as a BOM with 

each month posted for sale 

in my Etsy shop.

You will need a pattern to participate.

Techniques will include piecing

and a bit of applique'.

This is a great technique sampler.

The following will be included:

Half-Square Triangle

Quarter-Square Triangle

Flying Geese

Parallelogram.

Of course there will be some

video assists to help the process.

Every month, I will present a block

via a post here, in my newsletter,

and in my FB group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles.

We will be doing all the discussion

and ooohing/aaahing of 

fabric choices in the FB group.

I pride myself on quality (tested)

patterns with full-sized templates

and assembly diagrams.

This is going to be fun!

Lots of posts coming your way 

this week to get us up to speed

on fabrics and supplies so

you will be ready to go

as soon as you get

your pattern!

Please leave a comment if you

have questions or email me

at 

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

Thank you:)

Good-bye 2024 and Hello 2026

That is Not a typo:)

It has been a rough year on so many levels for many people and I don't know about you, but my calm, the balm for my soul is stitching. The slow and steady pull of the thread through fabric calms me in ways I can't fully describe. There is a form of meditation in this glorious art form that I am thankful to have in my life and hope I can entice others to feel as well.

I have been absent a bit now, I know.  For those following along, we moved from Florida at the end of 2023 to Northern Illinois to be near our grand little.  Once here we were so excited to find out there would be a second one too!  They are a delight, and it is nice being near family again.

Something I have been relatively quiet about is that through the move and littles and all of 2024 I have been going through many medical tests for an unknown (as of now) neurological disorder. It has put a small crimp in some of my plans but not all:)

I have taken 2024 to enjoy my littles, get my new studio up and going, and come to terms with my slightly restricted abilities of which stitching is not one of them!!  Every day I am grateful for that. This time away has let me think about priorities and what I want from my business. 

In 2026 we will celebrate the Sesquicentennial, the 250th birthday of our always great country. I have been designing a BOM that will start in early 2025 and take us up to the celebrations in 2026. There will be 2 designs to choose from to cover the piecers and the applique' lovers and both done sampler style.

I want as many of us quilters as I can get to celebrate together leading up to all the events that will be planned. The pieced quilt will have a touch of applique' because this is still me...LOL. The applique' quilt will be an appliquepalooza of beautiful florals designed by me over the years.

So, gather your red, white (cream), and blues for a fabulous year of stitching.

This is how I want to spend my time, creating beauty and inspiration. I do hope you will join me!

Spring in Illinois

 Spring has Sprung here in Illinois. 

I forgot how much I missed 

the change of seasons and the green 

of everything coming back!

We now have lovely red patio 

chairs and a great view when 

the weather permits.

It is the perfect spot to do 

some hand stitching:)

Inside things were at a stand still

until I could get some cabinets to paint

for my studio. Here they are....

Wait until you see the lovely red

they will become.

The Leaves Of Change QAL

is still progressing in my FB group,

Robin's Rocking Needles here.

This is 4 panels done on my

scrappy version:) I am really 

loving how it looks!

I spent Memorial Day getting

my QOVF Take 5 blocks done.

I chose to do 5 Ohio Star blocks

since that is also the National

Block Drive block this year.

It was the perfect day to honor

those we have lost in service.

I have been enjoying some long

walks out in nature and right 

now the Cottonwood trees are

letting loose their fluff.

I love it!

It also brings back childhood

memories from when we lived

in Kansas. The family farm

had huge Cottonwood trees on it

as well as huge Mulberry trees.

Cotton is a staple in my life!

I wonder how much I would

need to bat a small quilt:)

I hope you are enjoying

your Spring. 

Let me know what you are 

doing in the comments.

Gardening?

Quilting?

Hiking?

All of the above?

Whatever it is, enjoy it with all 

your being!

Keep Stitchin~

Benartex 4th Quarter Fun

 Welcome back for some Benartex fun!

For my 4th quarter project, I have

been playing with the American Spirit 

line by Cheryl Haynes of Prairie Grove Peddler.

These were the fabrics I chose

to work with for this project

but there are many others 

to choose from.

If you saw my Ohio remix

in the Fat Quarterly in October, 

then you may know where this

is going:)

I took that block along with

another arrangement and

combined them with a

sweet and simple border applique'.

In January this new design,

'In Gratitude', will be available 

for purchase through my ETSY shop.

I love that it is simple to assemble

to help those creating quilts for QOVF!

In the meantime there are the holidays to 

enjoy with all my sweeties, more blocks

to finish, a new long arm quilter to find 

since I have moved:)

I hope you find a way to make the 

holidays special for you!

Thank you all for being a part of

my life see you in the new year!

New home-New Studio

AUTUMN AGAIN! 

Being in the north again means

I get to be surrounded by 

the beautiful Fall colors!

View from one of my 

studio windows...

Our fur baby being 

walked along the pond.

We are in northern Ill.

this time vs all the time

we spent in St. Louis 

years ago.

This move was to be near

some family but, of course,

I am missing a major part 

of my family even here.

Guess we can't have it all.

The new house offers me

a studio space I never 

thought I would have!

Look for more pictures

over on my FB & IG accounts.

Right now it feels like the old tile

games where you moved a square

to move a different square then

moved the first square back, etc!!! 

I was able to go trick or treating

with my bobbin and that was a joy.

Of course, being in the north again also

means SNOW-YUCK!

This happened waaaay too early

for our liking.

Beautiful to look at as long

as you don't have to go out

in it for any reason!

The gratefulness in my heart

is a great way to start November.

Thank you for being a part

of my journey!!