Saturday, December 28, 2013

Modern Hexagon Baby Quilt, Part 1

For Christmas, I was in a Secret Santa swap, and received this beautiful Citrus Marbles charm pack by Moda.  

I knew as soon as I saw the charm pack exactly what I wanted to make.  I had in my stash a half hexagon template from Missouri Star Quilt Company, and was itching to use it.  I took off to Pinterest to find some inspiration, and spotted an unusual layout on hexagon floor tile.  That’s it!  I started to cut the charms into half hexagons.  The easy way is to line up the smaller edges of the template with the charm square, and cut down the center of the charm.  Then cut off the small triangles on each side.


Once you’ve cut all the charms, start laying out your design.  I have a design wall by Fons & Porter, which is a great tool.  After a few tries, I settled on this pattern.  I love how it flows from light to dark, and light to heavy. 



Turning to my white stash, I realized I only had enough yardage in a thin muslin – off to my local quilt shop!  Thankfully KC Framing and Fabrics had white Kona in stock.  For this design, I needed 9 2.5 by WOF strips.  A jelly roll would have been easier, if I had one on hand.  I cut 90 half hexagons out of the strips, then cut 17 of those in half to form the edges.   



If you're right handed, the easy way to cut a template out of strips is to lay your template on the right hand side of the strip (I always lay the selvage on the right) and cut off the right hand side.


Once you have the right side cut off, flip the entire strip of fabric around so the cut side is on your left.  Now cut each section, flipping the template as you go.


Once everything was cut (finally!!!), I laid out the white half hexagons on the design wall, and stepped back.  For now, I love it.  If I feel the same tomorrow, it's off to the sewing machine!!



Part 2:  Sewing all those hexagons together, the easy way!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Just to show off a couple of projects. :D

This is my first quilt - its called Pinwheels and Prairie Points by Moda Bake Shop.  I used Posy by Aneela Hoey as my fabric.  This went to the beautiful new baby girl that my best friend from high school had in July.

I saw a runner like this in a catalog last year, and made it without the stars, since I didn't know how to applique yet.  I love the antique look of it.


The next two are both baby quilts - and are both unfinished, even though the baby has been born!  I need to get back to these soon.  The blue and white is falling charms by Missouri Star Quilt Co, and the brights is a disappearing 9 patch surrounding panel pictures that were fussy cut, also a pattern from M*.



Open for Business!!!

I didn't think I would ever get to this point, and am surprised that I'm here!  My business registration and NYS Tax ID are all set, business cards are ordered, Etsy is set up.  Wow - now I need to get back to my machine and start whipping out finished projects!

What am I selling?  At home, I can make baby quilts, lap throws, table runners, dresden circle table toppers, tote bags, fabric boxes, coasters, placemats, hot pads, pot holders.  The list is really endless!  Custom orders are always welcome!

I've found a great group of friends online, and am always searching blogs for more information. I can't wait to start creating my own designs and putting tutorials online.

God has given me the talent of quilting, now its up to me to use his blessing to the fullest!