Welcome to Block Three of the Adventure in Color Quilt Along! Before we dive into Ostra, our third block in the star themed quilt along, let's check in.
How are things going? By this point, you should be getting VERY comfortable with making HSTs (half square triangles). That tiny bit of trimming that you may be doing, especially if you are cutting your squares oversized to begin with, makes a world of difference.
You may also have noticed that each block gets a bit more involved, and a bit larger. Some tips for maximum success with complex blocks:
- Measure each unit (yes, each unit) for maximum accuracy
- Press as you go! In other words, when you sew a seam, you press the seam.
- I like to press my seams open to reduce bulk. You'll want to pin more, as you can't rely on nesting seams, but you'll have flat blocks!
- Measure your final block as well. Make any trims necessary to keep each block square AND the proper size.
Ostara, the goddess the block is named after, is a Germanic goddess of spring. It should come as no surprise, then, that she is associated with fertility and rebirth.
Here are a few fun stories about Ostara. As she was the goddess of spring, one tale talks of her guilt at arriving late and coming upon a bird, nearly frozen to death by the harsh winter. She turned him into a hare, or rabbit, and give him incredible speed so he could evade predators. But what's super fun about this tale is that she ALSO gave him the ability to lay eggs (you can see where this is going, right?), but only one day a year. And not just any eggs, not plain white or brown eggs - oh no, not for our magical rabbit. He lay eggs in all colors!
If you are familiar with tales of gods and goddesses, you know that they have quick tempers. Our poor magical hare did something to enrage Ostara, and she flung him to the sky, where he became the constellation known as Lepus, just beneath the constellation Orion (the Hunter). Of course, she softened, and allowed him to return one day per year to lay eggs and give them to children. Hmmm....sounds familiar.......
A few legends have her with the head and shoulders of a rabbit, but mostly simply refer to her as a maiden goddess, full of compassion.
For the Adventure in Color Quilt Along Block Three, here's my Dusk version of Ostara. While at first glance it may look very different from Kate's, it is the same block. The different look is achieved by some low contrast fabric used in some of the outward units, putting the focus on the center of the block.
It is fun to play with value placement. Had I put the low contrast fabric to the inside of the block, and the high contrast lime fabric on the outside points of the star, the effect would be completely different!
Head over to Kate's blog to see her lovely Dawn version of the Adventure in Color Quilt Along Block Three, Ostara, for more color inspiration. Oh, and Kate has another fun giveaway from one of our sponsors, so please enter to win.
Ready to make your own Ostara blocks?
You can find the block on my website, on Kate's website, and in our Etsy shops! If you missed the earlier posts with fabric requirements, you can find that information here, as well as on the FAQ page for the Quilt Along on each of our websites!
Adventure in Color Quilt Along Schedule
Jan 1- Introduction and FAQs
Jan 15- General Information handouts including quilt fabric requirements and fabric chart
Jan 29 - Block 1
Feb 19- Block 2
March 4- Block 3
March 18- Block 4
April 1- Block 5
April 15- Block 6
April 29- Setting
May 13- Check In and Bonus pattern. PDF patterns go away!
May 20- Other Versions
June 3- Quilting suggestions
Sign up for the Adventure in Color Quilt Along Newsletter here.
Kate and I look forward to sharing this Adventure in Color with you. Oh - and we have some amazing sponsors that are providing awesome prizes during the quilt along (for US participants only). You'll want to check back with each installment for a chance to win fabric, thread, batting, and much more! No, you don't HAVE to be making the quilt (but let's face it - you're gonna want to make it!).
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