Astera - stash buster version
We've been meaning to make a new sample of Astera for a while now - I made my first with Warp and Weft fabrics and Cait made one with Dawn on the Prairie...but we hadn't made one yet using just off-our-shelves stash. This pattern is so perfect for that, so finally I found time to make it happen!
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This project worked out beautifully - I had an itch to sew, and zero background yardage. So I dove into my shelves and started with this print from Rifle Paper Co that I've always loved. It served as the color and style anchor for the rest of the fabrics.
I tried really had to USE fabric that had been sitting on my shelf for a long time. This usually means I either really love it...or really don't. If it was the former, and the right color - in it went! That mean I was using the last few scraps and bits of some treasured fabrics, but that's what it's for right?!
I also dug through my scrap bins - as long as I could get two half-hexi shapes out of a print, I used it. I probably used just as many large scrap pieces in this quilt as I did full fat quarters.
In case the shape is intimidating - we include a template in the pattern for you! No measuring required, and they go together in super simple rows.
Not only was I completely out of background yardage, but I was out of batting too. Since the spirit of this project was to use up what I had on hand, I decided to piece together some pink flannel yardage that had been abandoned by a different idea and use that as batting.
I have read many a person poo-poo on flannel as batting, yet have handled MANY a vintage quilt that used flannel in between. Given quilting's strong history of resourcefulness, I wanted to give it a try and see for myself. It made for a very thin, lightweight quilt that I'm going to enjoy as a coverlet in the summer! While the machine quilting doesn't show up well with the lack of loft, I'm adding large handstiched rows to accent that and let the fabric take center stage instead.
I haven't washed this one yet to see how in crinkles up (the flannel was prewashed already) - I'll be slowly adding hand stitches through the fall as my kids head to various practices and such. I love this pattern and see myself making several more when I need to thin the shelves again!
Happy sewing!
Rebecca and Cait
