More Hexagons

A new book out called Quick and Easy Hexie Quilts by Rhodes & Woods shows another way to make hexagons any size without using freezer paper or any kind of template. You simply cut circles and then stitch about 7 well-placed tiny stitches and you have your hexagon done. Talk about fast!!! And if you have an Accu cutter with a circle template you can really get the circles done quickly too. I made these hexagons from a layer cake of batiks, using the Accu cutter to cut 10 inch circles. The layer cake will make 5 complete flowers. I have decided to sew them into placemats using my 60 degree ruler to make the background. 

Another flower ready for hand stitching together. I do a whip stitch with matching thread color.

Here is the first hexagon flower hand appliqued onto the background that will eventually be used as a placemat or topper. My plan is to sew the backing and batting with right sides together leaving an opening to turn back to right sides out. I will machine stitch around the edge 1/4 inch that will close up the opening and help to finish the edge. Then I will do machine quilting around the hexagons and 1/4 inch along inside edges to help secure the layers.

These will be awesome placemats to use in my new house wherever or whenever.....

QUICK & EASY HEXIE QUILTS - PEGGY G. RHODES JULIA C. WOOD (PAPERBACK) NEW on eBay!.htm

Holiday Frost

Hi to all my dear quilting sisters! Busy getting the house ready to put on the market has taken all my time and energy from sewing but not BUYING. I have already had one fabric sale but tomorrow and Friday am having another bigger one with 2 quilting friends so what am I doing buying more fabric? Well, of course you know why. Check out Henry Glass's Holiday Frost and free pattern. The panel is adorable. I bought fabric to do the quilt with the hanging ornamants. Will do needleturn applique.

Easy Bag Tutorial

One of my water aerobic buddies at the Y Center showed me how to make this easy bag using just 2 squares of fabric while getting dressed in the locker room. I went home and had to see if I could make this. My first try I used my favorite bag batting, Soft and Stable, and went to sew the very last seams and couldn't fit the bag under the presser foot. Darn, darn, darn. Stubborn me went back to the cutting table and started making another bag this time using pellon fusible fleece....can't remember the number (897 or 987, whatever). I did a quick turn instead of binding and found some huge giant ricrac to use for the handle and put this together in half the time.

It is hanging a bit lopsided..sorry. It has 2 smaller pockets and one large pocket. The tutorial for making this bag is on my blog..my tutorial...hope it isn't too confusing. Let me know.
 

Happy Birthday Quilts

Set a personal record....only one week late in getting 2 quilts done for grandniece's birthdays. However, I must confess that originally these quilts were planned for Christmas gifts so technically they are 4 months late......but don't tell. The girls were delighted with birthday gifts. Both quilts were quilted on APQS Millineum longarm at Sew Unique Threads quilt shop in Battle Creek where the machine is available to rent.

 

Pillow cases to match the quilts.

Mischievious Bug!!!!

Sometimes I get solicited to help create a costume and leaf blanket for mischievious bugs in thier school play. Her name is Abbi and all she needs to do is ask.

Maids in a Row

So happy to finish the top Maids in a Row in a Riley Blake fabric and will be even happier when I finish quilting and binding it. Of course I don't have a backing suitable for this spring design and I want to use white batting because so much of the background is white which I don't have on hand either. This quilt is 71 X 75...did make it 7 inches shorter than the pattern and was created to be used with Boho Chic fabric line. I just happened to like the Riley Blake better. Am just loving aqua and yellow these days.

Downsizing The Stash

The last 6 months I have seriously been cleaning out and destashing. I have sold books, patterns, fabric, kits, and UFO's. There is still more to go...another sewing machine, books, patterns and fabric and another garage sale in June with sister and 2 more quilting friends. I can not tell how good it feels to have fabric and patterns gone....or on the way out the door...that I no longer want to do. Just have to share all my empty shelves and containers. All of these shelves and containers were full of fabric or projects.