Monday, April 6, 2015

The Championship Game!

Our March Madness Fan Favorite Pattern Bracket is down to the final game:
Star Struck vs. Star Dance

Thanks to everyone who has helped narrow the patterns down from our original 50 to the Sweet Sixteen to these final two.  As a thank you for your participation, this final round of voting will include the opportunity to win fabric prizes! 

Congratulations to Wendy Sheppard and Ann Lauer for creating the two quilts in our championship game! We interviewed the quilt designers of these two beauties so you can learn more about what inspired these designs and fabric choices before you vote. 

Help us choose the champion by voting in the comments and on our Facebook Group – Sew Interesting (see more voting details at the bottom of this post).
And don't forget to download these free patterns (or any of the others that you can find in our Quilt Gallery).




"Star Struck" by Wendy Sheppard; featuring Caryl's Feather
vs.


"Star Dance" by Ann Lauer; featuring Sundance


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Wendy talks about Star Struck:


What do you like best about this quilt?
I like that it looks traditional and contemporary at the same time. You see the sawtooth star blocks?  I am on a personal quest to see just how many ways I can use sawtooth star blocks in my designs.

How did you choose the colors to use in it?
The way I chose the colors was to include as many colors as I could, but still keep an ordered look.  When I use a lot of colors in a quilt, oftentimes I would finish out the border with either black, gray or white.  In this case, my go-to choices didn't bring out the bright look I wanted for the quilt.  So, I used red.

Can you tell us a bit about the design?
This quilt is essentially a one block wonder quilt.  The blocks are simple in construction, and are created in many colors to scrap up the overall look. The framed square blocks, spiced up with the small sawtooth star blocks in all the colors, give the overall design a lot to look at, I think.  I am always excited when I can come up with something with a lot of visual interest using simple blocks.

Why does it work so well with the Caryl's Feather fabric?
Besides colors, the Caryl's Feather fabrics themselves have a lot of movement and texture from the large feather prints that are incorporated with the background colors.  So, even though the designs will work just as well with any basic line of fabrics, I think Caryl's Feather really brings the design to a different level with the texture and movement in the prints.



 Ann talks about Star Dance:

What do you like best about this quilt?
The design looks involved but it's actually simple piecing so it can be made successfully by quilters from advanced beginner up. It also a lot of components so there’s not too much repetition—it’s fun to make. The pattern uses a very easy technique for flying geese, four-patches, and an included template for the half rectangles.

Can you talk about how this quilt shows off your Sundance prints?
The design is not crowded and the components are large enough to let the details of the fabric show off. It has an airy feeling. The black print is a geranium flower, so depending on where you cut it, you’ll get a variety of red petals as well as green leaves. The green, red and purple in the background are all delicate marbles with nice flowing movement.

Can you tell us a bit about the design?
The larger 10” squares help to highlight the focal prints--true watercolor style of the large poppy and field of flowers prints. The Irish Chain look that connects the blocks came about because I was just having fun with four-patches, letting them dance across the background. Plus, the pinwheels are not just HSTs—they are more interesting but easy. 

Tell us about the flexibility of your design.
Of course, I think the pattern is beautiful in the Sundance fabrics but it's designed to work for other collections as well. You could also enlarge it into a twin-size quilt by adding pinwheel borders to the top and bottom. 

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It's a battle of the stars! 
Star Struck vs. Star Dance
Which one will be the fan favorite quilt pattern?

Here's how to vote AND how to enter the giveaway:
  • To vote: Leave a comment below with the name of your favorite quilt, Star Struck or Star Dance. One comment per person, please.  You can also vote a second time on our Facebook Group – Sew Interesting. Voting is now closed.
  • To enter the giveaway: Send an email to socialmedia23 (at) gmail.com with Battle of the Stars in the subject line.
  • Both the voting for Favorite Pattern and the giveaway will be open through Tuesday, April 7th at 5 pm EST. We'll announce the Favorite Pattern and giveaway winners on Wednesday. 
  • Prizes: The grand prize winner will receive a box of 80 Sundance fat quarters. Runners-up will receive a bundle of 20 fat quarters from Daily Zen. We'll choose one runner-up for every 50 emails received. Winners will be randomly chosen from received emails and will be notified by email as well as announced here on the blog. 
Good luck to both of these fantastic patterns! 

To see the original bracket of sixteen and/or read the details of March Madness, click here.
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231 comments:

  1. Both are lovely quilts, which I'd like to make. Total #CreativeGoodness.
    But as I need to vote, my FAV is: "Star Struck" by Wendy Sheppard; featuring Caryl's Feather

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

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    1. Star Struck is just beautiful & gets my vote

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  2. Star Dance is my favorite. I think I can more easily use it in a variety of fabrics so will reuse the pattern more often. And I like the fun of making several components that are not difficult and provide such a delightful design.

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  3. It's a difficult choice, but because I'm more of a traditional quilter, I vote for Star Dance.

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  4. Star Dance! These have been difficult choices - beautiful quilts!!

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  5. This was a very difficult decision; I have really had a difficult time choosing my favorite. However, I think I am going to vote for Star Dance!

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  6. Oh they are both so beautiful but the design and color scheme of Star Struck hit home with me. A beautiful design by Wendy Sheppard! Thank you for all of the awesome free patterns Benartex - they are always inspirational.

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  7. Really hard to pick a favorite but Star Struck is my choice. Thanks so much for the free patterns, they are both on my to do list and I may just start Star Struck tomorrow.

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  8. It is a battle down to the buzzer - Star Struck

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  9. Star Dance
    Thank you for sponsoring this "play-off". The designs have been very inspiring and I have downloaded several. My thanks to all the designers.

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  10. This is a difficult choice, but I have to choose Star Dance because it is a little more airy,

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  11. Star Struck is my favorite. Love the colors, want to make it myself. Please give a really good close display of the quilting on this so I can see how it was done. It's next on my list of quilts to do.

    Thank you so much for this contest. Congratulations to both of the designers and quilters of both of these quilts. But right now I am in to bright!
    BT

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  12. They are both lovely, but Star Dance is my favorite.

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  13. Star struck gets my vote...love the colors and all the motion in the design.

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  14. Both are gorgeous quilts; but, Star Struck is my favorite. . .I'm a sucker for a sawtooth star and I LOVE feather quilting designs!

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  15. Star Struck is my favourite. Love how vivid it is!

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  16. I love them both, but will vote for Star Dance.

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  17. My vote goes to Star Struck. Both quilts are lovely but I am drawn to the sawtooth stars.

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  18. I vote for Star Struck, I am! It is beautiful, it is really an eye-catching design!

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  19. Star Struck for me. What a great use of beautiful fabric. I like the sawtooth stars.

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  20. Star Struck is my favorite and what makes it to inspiring is the wonderful Jewel Tone Fabrics.

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  21. Star Struck. Good luck to both though!

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  22. I have to go with Star Struck as I love the way the tone-on-tone feather design adds light and movement to the overall quilt design. Melody in Santa Fe

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  23. Star Dance - hard choice as I love both of them, but I love anything with an Irish chain and also the idea that you can make it bigger by adding the additional pinwheel borders. I think they should both win.

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  24. Hard choice but Star Struck gets my vote!

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  25. I love Star Dance - so bright!

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  26. Star Dance - the negative space is bright and airy. Makes a delicate looking quilt.

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  27. I choose Star Dance because the color scheme is one of my faves and I can also see it in other fabric lines. Star Struck is also beautiful, so it was a tough choice. Thanks for the fun contest and a chance in the giveaway!

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  29. Star Struck by Wendy Sheppard.

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  30. Tough choice but Star Dance it is!
    Diane
    blueice@metrocast.net

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  31. They're both lovely designs and it's hard to choose, but I'm voting for Star Struck by Wendy Sheppard.

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  32. Star Dance--------------------

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  33. Star stuck very cute. Fun game you had going on! Cheers

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  34. Star struck. It was a hard desicion

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  35. Its a really hard decision, but my vote goes to Wendy Shephards "Star Struck" Its beautiful and looks so involved. I adore quilts with a scrappy look.

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  36. Both quilts show the beauty of design and fabric ... yet, I must vote for STAR STRUCK. A wonderful quilt that is pleasing to the eye. Traditional with new, updated colors that work together. Thank you to both quilters who inspire and challenge and encourage.

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  37. Both quilts show the beauty of design and fabric ... yet, I must vote for STAR STRUCK. A wonderful quilt that is pleasing to the eye. Traditional with new, updated colors that work together. Thank you to both quilters who inspire and challenge and encourage.

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  38. Both are beautiful! I think both should win. A hard vote because one is a classic and the other modern. Star struck is a push pull unusual fresh design using small stars with large modern blocks. Due to the creativity I pick Star Struck.

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  39. Tough decision, but Star Struck it is. Love both of them. Both quilters did an outstanding job.

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  40. I like Wendy's Star Struck. That design better showcases the fabrics she was using.

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  41. Both quilts are lovely, but my choice is Star Struck. I know I will show up as anonymous but I'm linda-kaye!

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  42. While both are beautiful patterns, my vote has to go for Star Struck! Love the little Sawtooth stars and the fabric Wendy chose is awesome and works out beautifully in this great pattern.

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  43. Both beautiful, but my favorite is Star Struck!!

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  44. Star Struck by Wendy is my favourite! All quilts in the game were wonderful :)

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  45. "Star Struck" really like the stars
    thank you for a great time
    enjoyed the basketball also

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  46. Star Struck by Wendy is my favourite! All quilts in the game were wonderful :)

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  47. Love them both but I would make Star Dance more than once. So my vote goes to Star Dance.

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  48. I LOVE Star Struck. They are both beautiful...
    BUT this is my favorite.

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  49. Star dance! Reminds me of a walk along a garden path.

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  50. I vote for Star Stuck. Wendy is such a talented quilter.

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  51. Star struck is my choice! Love the use of fabrics!

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  52. Star Struck wins for me. Love both quilts but I really like the bright colours of Star Struck.

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  53. Both are very nice but since I have to pick one I'll go with Star Struck. Love the small saw tooth stars throughout.

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  54. Star Dance is the one. Beautiful fabrics and design. Being a longarm quilter, I see many quilting possibilities too!

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  55. I love Star Struck. It almost dances!

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  56. I love Star Struck. It almost dances!

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  57. I love Star Struck. It almost dances!

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  58. Both quilts are lovely but I'm drawn to Star Struck because of the more intricate piecing! Good luck to both entries!

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  59. Star Dance for sure

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  60. I'm STAR STRUCK and it gets my vote !

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  61. Star Struck
    Carolyn

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  62. Star Dance has my vote. Love the colors and design for Spring time.

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  63. Star Dance - Love it! Sundance fabrics are the best!

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  64. Both very pretty; however, I will have to go with Star Dance!😊

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  65. Star Dance is so beautiful and Ann Lauer's fabrics are so unique. Anne's pattern directions are the greatest--even I can follow them.

    Bettie S. in Bozeman I vote for STAR DANCE!

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  66. Star Dance is my favorite! It is a versatile pattern good for a lot of different fabric.

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  67. Star Dance is absolutely beautiful! love it

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  68. Star dance is my choice. Love Ann's patterns and fabric designs

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  69. Both are beautiful but I go with Star Dance

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  70. Star Dance for sure! Ann's patterns and fabrics are terrific.

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  71. Both are beautiful but I pick Star Struck.

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  72. Star Struck is my favorite. It really spoke to me when it first appeared on my screen. I probably will make it.

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  73. Star Struck for me

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  74. Star Dance-YES------------------

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  75. Both are beautiful - but my vote is for Wendy Sheppard's STAR STRUCK! Love her color choices and design. Wonderful!
    Linda "Cookie" Lawrence
    lbcookie1@gmail.com

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  76. Star Dance... Ann Lauer is the best!

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  77. I like both quilts but I vote for Wendy's Star Struck because of the use of color.

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  78. Star Dance by Ann Lauer

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  79. Star Dance by Ann Lauer

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  80. I like the way both beautiful quilts look complicated but are easier to make than they look. I choose Star Struck.

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  81. Kathlene

    Star Struck. Really tough to choose. Retreat coming up soon and this might be my project.


    kprescott68@yahoo.com

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  82. Love the Star Dance Quilt.

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  83. Star Dance is my favorite. It's such a beautiful pattern.

    Brid_bc@q.com

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  84. Wendy's Star Struck design has my vote.

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  85. Both are beautiful, but Star Struck really makes my heart sing.

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  86. Both quilts are lovely, but Star Struck by Wendy Sheppard has my vote.

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  87. I vote for Star Dance.

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  88. Really like Star Struck...it gets my vote!

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  89. Love both quilts, but I'm voting for Star Struck as my favorite.

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  90. I vote for Star Dance - it's really striking

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  91. Star Struck is the one that grabs me.

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  92. Funny that two 'Stars' have made it to the end, all were beautiful quilts as well. My favorite here is Star Dance

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  93. Both quilts are nice, but I like Star Struck better than Star Dance.

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  94. Star Dance gets my vote
    Love the variety of shapes and elements.

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  95. both are beautiful, but my choice is Star
    struck. PATTI

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  96. Star struck is my favorite! I do have to say this was the hardest of all to decide, though!

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  97. Star Struck is my choice. I like the more modern feel of it.

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  98. It's all about the stars at this point. My choice is Star Struck.

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  99. A tough decision but my vote is for star struck.

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  100. Gotta go with Star Struck. I love the colors!

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  101. Star Struck is and has been my favorite

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  102. Star Struck is a COOL quilt--different than things I have seen before. Love it!

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  103. Definitely the Star Dance! You can visualize the stars dancing their way around the quilt top via the Irish Chain.

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  104. I love both but Star Dance is my favorite!

    lflemin at msn dot com

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  105. I vote for Star Struck. Nice, pleasant, attractive design.

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  106. Star Dance is a wonderful quilt to show off some larger prints and use various quilting designs with my longarm. It is fresh with a modern feel to it.

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  107. Star Dance - lots of space to quilt wonderful designs and I love the idea of adding rows of pinwheels! Chris Carlson

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  108. STAR STRUCK!!!! i love the colors and movement in the design!!

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  109. My favorite is Star Dance! This pattern shows off the fabrics well & would look great in other fabric collections also. I love the big star in the middle.

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  110. Both are beautiful, but Star Struck is my favorite.

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  111. Wow to both..but Star Dance is my pick

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  112. Star Dance. Gotta be.

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  113. Star Dance for me.

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  114. Both are beautiful, my vote however is for Star Struck.

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  115. I love both quilts, but Star Struck is my favorite.

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  116. Star Struck! Interestingly, the star motif is already a winner.

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  117. Star Dance is amazing! Life's a dance!

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  118. My vote is for Star Dance.

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  119. They are both great patterns, but I am going with Star Dance.

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