This project all started back in the early spring when Suzy of Suzy Quilts reached out to
me to say she would love to see my interpretation of her Hexie Stripe quilt pattern.
me to say she would love to see my interpretation of her Hexie Stripe quilt pattern.
Suzy is just the sweetest and, although life was crazy at
that time, I just couldn’t say no 😉 Besides, her quilt patterns always pack a visual punch, and the Hexie Stripe quilt pattern is no exception.
that time, I just couldn’t say no 😉 Besides, her quilt patterns always pack a visual punch, and the Hexie Stripe quilt pattern is no exception.
Since life was crazy, I was all “umm, would it be ok if I
made a table runner instead of a whole quilt?”
made a table runner instead of a whole quilt?”
With the A-OK from Suzy, I got to work.
I wanted to go with a bold floral and this Anna Maria Horner
Folk Song Baby Bouquet Sweet print had been sitting in my stash just waiting
for the perfect project to come out and play. This was THE one!
Folk Song Baby Bouquet Sweet print had been sitting in my stash just waiting
for the perfect project to come out and play. This was THE one!
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Since I wanted the focus to be on the floral, I then
searched for a mix of solids varying in tone from light to dark. You know my
love for pink, so naturally, that found it’s way into my colourway –
specifically in the form of Kona Cotton Solids in Peony, Candy Pink and Valentine. I didn’t want this
quilt to be too pink, so I pulled in a little Wasabi. I then added some
texture with the Essex Linen in Flax.
When I did my pull I even knew that I would be using this organic stripe print
for the binding from Camelot Fabrics. Love when that happens!
searched for a mix of solids varying in tone from light to dark. You know my
love for pink, so naturally, that found it’s way into my colourway –
specifically in the form of Kona Cotton Solids in Peony, Candy Pink and Valentine. I didn’t want this
quilt to be too pink, so I pulled in a little Wasabi. I then added some
texture with the Essex Linen in Flax.
When I did my pull I even knew that I would be using this organic stripe print
for the binding from Camelot Fabrics. Love when that happens!
This quilt comes together super quick and is really fun to
make. I love how the colours play off one another and seeing those hexie pie
slices was just too cute and totally inspiring. You will have so much fun
playing with layout!!
make. I love how the colours play off one another and seeing those hexie pie
slices was just too cute and totally inspiring. You will have so much fun
playing with layout!!
Once I had enough hexies made to pull together a table
runner, I was looking at how it was all coming together and I was in LOVE.
Love, I tell you. That I decided to abandon my table runner plans and go for
the Full Monty. Only problem was that I didn’t have enough of the Anna Maria
Horner print to make a larger quilt.
runner, I was looking at how it was all coming together and I was in LOVE.
Love, I tell you. That I decided to abandon my table runner plans and go for
the Full Monty. Only problem was that I didn’t have enough of the Anna Maria
Horner print to make a larger quilt.
Thankfully I was able to source some of this print online at
Pink Door Fabrics and have it shipped to me from the States. While I was as it, I decided to add
in some Bonsai and
Curry. Now, the
latter, is a colour I never thought I would be interested in playing with. But
it was the perfect colour to bring harmony to this colourway. I can’t imagine
how it would have looked without that earthy tone balancing out the brightness
of the pinks, floral and vibrant Wasabi.
It was a great reminder that even if a particular colour isn’t your favourite,
you never know when it will sneak its way into your quilt. Never say never 😉
Pink Door Fabrics and have it shipped to me from the States. While I was as it, I decided to add
in some Bonsai and
Curry. Now, the
latter, is a colour I never thought I would be interested in playing with. But
it was the perfect colour to bring harmony to this colourway. I can’t imagine
how it would have looked without that earthy tone balancing out the brightness
of the pinks, floral and vibrant Wasabi.
It was a great reminder that even if a particular colour isn’t your favourite,
you never know when it will sneak its way into your quilt. Never say never 😉
While waiting for my fabric to arrive, I spent countless
hours staring at my design wall trying to decide on the layout. That’s normal,
right?! All quilters spend a ridiculous amount of time on block placement?!!
The hubz walked past me one night while I was in one of these modes and was
wondering what I was doing…just standing there starring. Ah, the life of a
quilter!
hours staring at my design wall trying to decide on the layout. That’s normal,
right?! All quilters spend a ridiculous amount of time on block placement?!!
The hubz walked past me one night while I was in one of these modes and was
wondering what I was doing…just standing there starring. Ah, the life of a
quilter!
There was lots of pinning in this one. I’m not usually a
pinning kind of girl. But working on the bias is always a little tricky with
all that stretch. Pinning becomes your quilty friend, especially when you have
so many points to match up!
pinning kind of girl. But working on the bias is always a little tricky with
all that stretch. Pinning becomes your quilty friend, especially when you have
so many points to match up!
Suzy rocks her patterns and always includes lots of tips,
tricks and tutorials to help you on your way to quilt success. You can get your
own copy here.
tricks and tutorials to help you on your way to quilt success. You can get your
own copy here.
On a side note, how cute is this dog ear confetti?!
Honestly, I have a problem. I’m always so smitten with the scraps and trimmings
of my projects that I can’t resist playing with them. I mean, come on, wouldn’t
you want a party with lots of dog ear confetti?!!
Honestly, I have a problem. I’m always so smitten with the scraps and trimmings
of my projects that I can’t resist playing with them. I mean, come on, wouldn’t
you want a party with lots of dog ear confetti?!!
I digress, back to this pretty quilt.
Once she was all pieced together, next came the tough
decision on how to back her. I hummed and hawed at this stage for quite awhile
before deciding on the Essex Linen in Flax.
I wanted something that was soft and soothing and that wouldn’t compete for
attention with the beautiful front. Plus, the Essex Linen adds wonderful weight
and texture to the overall feel of the quilt, which is perfect for all those
quilty snuggles!
decision on how to back her. I hummed and hawed at this stage for quite awhile
before deciding on the Essex Linen in Flax.
I wanted something that was soft and soothing and that wouldn’t compete for
attention with the beautiful front. Plus, the Essex Linen adds wonderful weight
and texture to the overall feel of the quilt, which is perfect for all those
quilty snuggles!
With the backing pieced, next question was how to quilt her
up.
up.
I have been meaning to give free motion quilting (FMQ) a go
for quite some time now. Although there have been lots of test patches and
trial runs done, the thought of doing FMQ on an actual quilt was terrifying to
me! Testing is one thing, but a full-on quilt is a whole other ballgame. I just
had this feeling that I was going to ruin my quilt top!! You know what I’m
talking about. The first time you try quilting anything is less than stellar.
for quite some time now. Although there have been lots of test patches and
trial runs done, the thought of doing FMQ on an actual quilt was terrifying to
me! Testing is one thing, but a full-on quilt is a whole other ballgame. I just
had this feeling that I was going to ruin my quilt top!! You know what I’m
talking about. The first time you try quilting anything is less than stellar.
But, in order to get better, I knew that I needed to take the plunge. And this
beauty is what finally drew me to give it a go. And I was especially thankful
for all the encouragement I received on Instagram when I was about to tackle it all. A special thank you to Anne Boundy who told me to “put my big girl pants on” and just do it! LOL – I loved that
little note. So true!
beauty is what finally drew me to give it a go. And I was especially thankful
for all the encouragement I received on Instagram when I was about to tackle it all. A special thank you to Anne Boundy who told me to “put my big girl pants on” and just do it! LOL – I loved that
little note. So true!
And, boy, am I ever happy I did! I was a little concerned
when I first started as my loops were anything but consistent, but as I
progressed and got more comfortable with the feeling, speed and technique, I
started to LOVE FMQing. It was relaxing. It was methodical. It was bliss.
Really!
when I first started as my loops were anything but consistent, but as I
progressed and got more comfortable with the feeling, speed and technique, I
started to LOVE FMQing. It was relaxing. It was methodical. It was bliss.
Really!
I especially love all the quilty texture FMQ gives to the
final quilt. The Aurifil Cotton Mako 40wt thread I used in Silver White #2309 blends perfectly. The feel of this one is AMAZING. Not only do I have all that
quilty goodness, but the fabrics add a whole other sensory level. And the Essex
Linen backing adds gorgeous weight to the quilt. The snuggles are going to be
sooo good!
final quilt. The Aurifil Cotton Mako 40wt thread I used in Silver White #2309 blends perfectly. The feel of this one is AMAZING. Not only do I have all that
quilty goodness, but the fabrics add a whole other sensory level. And the Essex
Linen backing adds gorgeous weight to the quilt. The snuggles are going to be
sooo good!
A few things I noticed along my new FMQ journey:
- Bulky seams – now I understand what everyone is talking
about! With straight line quilting bulky seams can be a nuisance but with my
Juki I generally just sail right over them. This wasn’t the case
with FMQ. Perhaps because I am still getting the hang of it, meeting with up
those bulky seams often meant a little squiggle in my FMQ design. I met much
more resistance than I’ve traditionally encountered up till now. - So much to think about – there are so many details to keep
in mind when FMQing – speed, movement, tension, posture…ugh, posture! I kept
having to remind myself to relax my arms and shoulders. It was a tip I’ve heard
Angela Walters share in her YouTube videos and it kept coming to mind
while stitching away. And it totally works. The more I relaxed the better my
designs came out. Plus, I can only imagine how much more pain I would have been
in had I not been actively trying to relax! - Consistency – Keeping a consistent speed with the petal and
your hands is not the easiest thing! This, I’m sure, comes with practice. - FMQ eats thread! Ha, it’s true! I don’t think I’ve ever gone
through so much thread in one sitting. For a 50” x 50” quilt, I used no less
than 6 bobbins and my 6th was getting awfully close to being empty.
I’ll need to keep this in mind for future projects and ensure I have enough in
stock 😉
It was fun! Really, it was! I was surprised at how enjoyable
doing my little loop de loops was. Once I got into a groove it was so nice to
catch up on some of my fave podcasts.
doing my little loop de loops was. Once I got into a groove it was so nice to
catch up on some of my fave podcasts.
The binding stage was a no brainer as I had already prepped
her during my cutting sessions. So, after a quick squaring up of the quilt, the
first stage of binding was on.
her during my cutting sessions. So, after a quick squaring up of the quilt, the
first stage of binding was on.
You know I’m not the fastest hand sewer, so, things took
some time at this stage. Plus, I had quite a few other projects on the go and
some had tight deadlines to hit. But this little pretty was never far from my
mind…or sight, as she was patiently draped over the back of my sofa for many
months just waiting to be finished.
some time at this stage. Plus, I had quite a few other projects on the go and
some had tight deadlines to hit. But this little pretty was never far from my
mind…or sight, as she was patiently draped over the back of my sofa for many
months just waiting to be finished.
With the binding done, and label on (make your own DIY quilt
label with tips here) the next challenge was getting her photographed!
label with tips here) the next challenge was getting her photographed!
It took me three different photo sessions before I got a picture
that truly reflected the colours. The lighting in the first couple of shoots
was either too strong or too dim, but the third worked out perfectly. And, with
all these delays, Fall had arrived, and I just love how the fall leaves
coordinate quite nicely with…you guessed it, Curry!! Although this is a
really bright quilt, I love how it melds with the autumn colours.
that truly reflected the colours. The lighting in the first couple of shoots
was either too strong or too dim, but the third worked out perfectly. And, with
all these delays, Fall had arrived, and I just love how the fall leaves
coordinate quite nicely with…you guessed it, Curry!! Although this is a
really bright quilt, I love how it melds with the autumn colours.
Don’t you just want to give this pretty a go?! Hop over to
Suzy’s site and
get your copy of Hexie Stripe today – you’ll be so happy you did 😊
Suzy’s site and
get your copy of Hexie Stripe today – you’ll be so happy you did 😊
Happy quilting!
xo
Shannon
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I’m linking up for:
- Finish it up Friday!
- And this is one of the projects off my Q4Finish-A-Long list.
I’ll update it once the link opens up.
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Put your big girl pants on! I need to embroider that and keep it as a constant reminder.
Gorgeous quilt and amazing quilting. Thanks for sharing!!!
Clever, right?! I literally was laughing out loud when I read that and it makes me smile every time I think about it!
Sometimes, you just need a strong reminder that you can do it!!
This is a stunning finish Shannon! I just love all those gorgeous, bright colours! Your FMQ is super nice too – I have yet to try the loops in a row like that. I really like the overall look of it.
Thank you so much, Izzy! You have got FMQ down to a science, so I'm thrilled you like my loops! These were so much fun to create. The pattern is quite forgiving of mistakes. And the texture it creates is just amazing! You should totally give it a go 😉
It’s beautiful, Shannon, and way to go jumping in with free motion quilting! It really does use quite a bit of thread, something I still underestimate, haha. I love that you made the quilt larger than you had planned; the colors just glow!
Thank you so much, Yvonne! I was so surprised how much thread I went through, but well worth it for the final results. I'm super excited to try new FMQ motifs!
It's crazy how much thread you can go through with fmq, lol! Your quilt is gorgeous. Those colours really sing together and the loopy quilting is perfect.
Yes! I was so surprised to see how much thread I went through! But all worth it in the end 🙂 So thrilled you like these colours too. They are bright and cheerful 😊
You did a great job on that "table runner." Nice work on the FMQ-ing, too!! If you didn't tell us, I never would have known that it was your 1st attempt.
Thank you so much for your kind words 😊
This is really beautiful!! Great job on the fmq, and your points are exquisite!
I found you via Rachel at Stitched in Color. I make my labels very similarly, though I use batiste instead of interfacing (I hate the idea of not pressing until I'm ironing it onto my quilt) and I never thought to use a permanent marker, so I will do that in the future – thanks for the tip!
Happy sewing ~ Tracy
Thank you so much, Tracy!
I haven't heard of batiste, so I will definitely check it out 😊 And super happy you stopped by for a visit!!
Happy sewing 😊