Machine Piecing Hexagon Crush

Are you wondering what happened with my big chunky hexagons? Here they are in a very raw state. Strings everywhere and not even pressed yet (they will be pressed open). I probably should have pressed as I went, but once I sat down I just kept going. This method requires a little bit of a hokey pokey dance at the machine and I didn't want to get confused.

I'm machine piecing them. Yes machine... piecing... hexagons. My friend Ruth showed us this technique at the last Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild meeting. We didn't make a video of Ruth, but I'm starting to think we should have! Luckily, another quilter already thought of that. Here is a video tutorial by Lady Havartine:




Have you got a crush on hexagons too?  Post a link in the comments.
-Adrianne

Single Girls Unite!!

I have loved the Single Girl quilt pattern by Denyse Schmidt from a distance for a very long time.  I put it off because it involved templates and curved piecing.  Leave it to Katie, Megan and Nova to encourage me to buy the pattern and give it a go.  These three ladies have put together a support group for this pattern. Everyday someone is adding another fantastic version.  It was just the kick in the booty I need to go ahead and buy the pattern and try it.  The Single Girl flickr group is 238 members strong (and counting).  

I'm using my favorites prints from City Weekend by Liesl Gibson for Olive & S.  I adore this color combination.  It feels so fresh and vibrant.

-Adrianne

Sunday Stash 13

I went in for a ruler and came out with fat quarters.  They were calling to me from the baskets by the counter, "Take me home with you."

From Top to Bottom

1) Felicity by Emily Taylor for Riley Blake

2) Delilah by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit

3) Delilah by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit

4) Henna Garden by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller

I bought these locally at the Granary.

*Note to self, go back for more Delilah!  The whole range is gorgeous and it feels wonderful.

Winnnaaaah(s)

You guys are ALL so great I couldn't stop at just one winner.  I added two more prizes.  Surprise!!  : )  By random drawing the winner(s) are...

     Sara who blogs at saraisabee won 

     a Fat Quarter Bundle of Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner

     Kelli who blogs at Kellis Pieces won 

     a Dream On Layer Cake by the Urban Chiks

     Judy won 

     a Charm Pack of Bliss by Bonnie & Camille

Congratulations Ladies!!  Please send me your mailing addresses.

See you next week with more hexagons.

-Adrianne

On the Design Wall: Hexagon Crush

Lookie, I've got big, chunky hexagons on my design wall.  My friend Bari introduced me to this super easy hexagon technique.  It's great because you can make your hexagons any size you want... even 6".  I want to show you how I went about cutting into my Innocent Crush fat quarters.

1) Fold your Fat Quarter in half with the selvage along the top.  Cut one 6" strip.

**I'm making a lap sized quilt.  I cut two 6" strips from each fat quarter in the bundle.  This will give me 132 hexagons and extra scraps to play with later. w00t!**

2) Open your strip and refold it in half lengthwise.  The fold goes at the bottom.

3) Line up your ruler (like in the video below) and cut on either side of your ruler.

4) Keep lining up your ruler and cut down the strip.

5) Unfold your pieces and look... hexagons! Easy right?

6) Playing with leftovers...

7) This is the only ruler I could find locally.  It worked great!

Enter to win an Innocent Crush bundle.  Then you could make your own Hexagon Crush quilt.  : )

And without further ado... take it away Kaye Wood

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

These are headed to preschool today.  Aren't they cute?  We used this tutorial from the long thread.  I wasn't sure he would be up to writing his name 32 times so I scanned in his signature and printed as part of the card.  For the cute hearts, I found a silicone baking mold at Joann's.  We both loved making these.

Speaking of Joann's, did you know they have a phone app for their coupons?  Check it out.  It's a little cumbersome handing over your phone to the cashiers, but the good news is you never leave home without your coupon.  : )

There is still time to enter my Innocent Crush giveaway.

My friend Cathy is having a Valentine's giveaway at her shop Wondrous Woven Fabrics.  Don't miss out on this one... I'm just sayin'!  : )

Sunday Stash 12

Imported Indigo from South Africa

Who knew I would become so smitten with Indigo fabrics?  I really, really love them.  They remind me of my Dad's hankies.  He carried a navy and white handkerchief in his back pocket as long as I can remember.  They were so soft and always ready to dab a tear, wipe a nose or brush off a scraped knee.  As a teenager I remember using them for a très chic headscarf.  I'm starting to think this was a sentimental purchase!  : )

I saw these at a local trade show and I was instantly taken with their designs.  Brand new indigo fabrics are stiff and honestly, they smell a little strange.  I was looking around the booth trying to figure out what in the heck people made with them.  I kept thinking to myself, this is regular fabric right?  The owner assured me that it was just starched heavily and it would wash out without any problem. The starch has to do with the history of indigo fabrics and guaranteeing authenticity for the last 100 years.  I came home with this small sampling from Cotton In The Cabin.  I'm excited shuffle to these into a modern quilt and see what happens.

Do you have a sentimental color?

-Adrianne

Innocent Crush Giveaway!

I'm ready to cut into my Innocent Crush.  Sometimes when I don't know what I want to make, I create an inspiration gallery on flickr.  A direction emerges and my choice becomes clear. Big, giant, crush-worthy hexagons.  : )

1. wildflowers, 2. my quilt, 3. half hexagon quilt, 4. Hopefull Hexagon Pillow, 5. Half Hexagon Quilt, 6. Hexagon Quilt , 7. YIP 365.299 :: Honeycomb Hexagon quilt from Fresh Quilting, 8. 3/1.2011 whirlygig quilt - WIP, 9. Big Hexes Quilt, 10. Good Folks Quilt: Front, 11. A quilt for me!, 12. moon glow, 13. the joy of hex quilt progress!, 14. Soul Blossoms, 15. Soul Blossoms, 16. Sunshine quilt progess-7, 17. on it's way...., 18. Castle Peeps

Innocent Crush - 22 FQs  

Today I'm celebrating YOU.  I am so thankful for everyone that comes and visits my blog and offers support, encouragement, advice, laughter and friendship.  You guys rock my socks off!!  : )  As a thank you, I'm giving away a full fat quarter set of Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner!!!

WIN: A Fat Quarter bundle of Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner

ALREADY FOLLOWING:  If you are one of my 521 followers DO NOTHING.  Each and everyone of you is already entered... TWICE.  That's right, I have my list and there are two entries for each of you.  I love you guys!  : )

NEW FOLLOWERS: If you are new here and would like to become a follower, WELCOME!  : )  Click "follow" in the upper right corner of my blog and add one comment to this post letting me know you're a new follower.

International entries are welcome.  The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, February 18th, 2011.

P.S.  This is Anna and me with big smiles in her booth at Fall Quilt Market 2010!  And yes, that's Innocent Crush on my Amy Butler Birdie Sling bag.

Postage Stamp Quilt

Once upon a time I didn't quilt and I loved looking at antique quilts on ebay.   I would find lots of quilts I liked and only a few I could afford.  Postage stamp quilts always caught my eye.  I loved the confetti of colors and the orderly squares.  I actually had a saved search that informed me of all new listings for "antique postage stamp quilt".  I never bought one but I always wished I had one.  Now thanks to Rachel's quilt along... I do.  Well almost...

This quilt top is well on its way to becoming a full fledged postage stamp quilt.  We used two jelly rolls and that was it.  Pretty straight forward but lots of seams and pressing.  A LOT of bobbin thread.  If I were to do this pattern again, I would use 6 squares to a block instead of five.  That way there would be one block (instead of an Block A and a Block B) and it would naturally alternate.

I didn't realize until I put it on the bed for pictures how satisfying this project was. I am *almost* the proud owner of a postage stamp quilt.  Eeee!  The best part is, I made it.  Am I crazy to think this would be perfect hand tied?!?

 Notice all the pins?  Pins are your friend for this quilt.

Pressing seams to the side helps line up all those tiny squares.

PS, I Love it!  : )