Getting Hexie with It

Sometimes I have a few minutes to work on a hexie flower. That's it, that's the entire post. Someday I will finish this project. Someday. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon - this thing turns junk mail into hexie papers!

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill

Frolic Mystery Quilt Finish!

It's been more than year since I quilted my version of Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt Frolic. I decided it was time to get it bound.

Applying binding to large quilts is a wrestling match. I attach the binding to the back of the quilt so I can machine finish it from the top. 

If you want to learn more about how I mark my binding for joining the ends, or other quilt binding tips, I have a page (linked on the sidebar) where you can find my machine finished binding tips. 

My way is not the only way, and it necessarily the best way. It is just the way I get consistent results. If you're on the fence about using FriXion pens in your crafting, don't worry, I only mark on the back of the fabric, or where the binding will be hidden once finished. 

Then, once I press the binding away from the quilt, I roll it to the front and finish it by machine. It makes for a sturdy binding. 

Now it is ready for its first wash. 

My version was made using larger pieces than the pattern called for and a completely different color palette from the mystery. I think it came out great! Do you like to change up the colors when making mystery quilts? 

You can buy a copy of the digital pattern for Frolic directly from Quiltville. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Creative Grids Multi Size Triangle 45 and 90 Degrees Quilt Ruler

Omnigrid Quilting Ruler, 1" x 6", Yellow

PILOT FriXion Colors Erasable Marker, Assorted Ink 12 Colors

100 Sewing Clips with Tin Box

Getting Hexie with It

I'm still working on my hexie flowers. 

Each week I finish a few more. 

Some weeks are more productive than others. I never thought this would be a quick project. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon - this thing turns junk mail into hexie papers!

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill

Getting Hexie with It

I finished up the basting of the rest of my little hexies a couple weeks ago. 

Yesterday I stacked them up into planned flower sets. 

Then I filled my hexie project bag with all those sets. Now I can easily grab a single flower and get stitching. Someday, I will have a quilt top. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon - this thing turns junk mail into hexie papers!

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill

Getting Hexie with It

Week number two of using the Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen I'm back to show you my progress. This time I managed to baste nearly 100 hexies with a single stick of glue. The stack of fabric that still needs to be basted is so much smaller. I ordered my refills from Amazon and they should be here this week.  

A note about affiliate links: Even if you don't buy the products I link to, using my link to get to Amazon counts. If something I share inspires you, and you were going to buy something anyway, click through and shop. If you complete your purchase after following one of my links I will receive a small commission. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon - this thing turns junk mail into hexie papers!

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill

Getting Hexie with It

After a week of using the Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen I'm back to show you my progress. I would make a few of these most evenings. At the end of the week I had consumed the glue and basted 75 hexies. I think that's pretty good. I've changed the glue and am back at it. I wonder if I will get as many next week. Hopefully I will be close. That stack of fabric still needs to be basted. I already have more refills in my Amazon cart. Once I finish the basted I will be back to sewing flowers. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill

Getting Hexie With It

I've been thread basting my hexies. By the way, these are my absolute favorites scissiors for snipping thread. I have a pair near my long arm and this pair in my hexie kit. Linked at the bottom of the post. 

I decided to give the Sewline Fabric Glue Pen a try. 

This kit (linked at the bottom of the post) comes with the glue pen and one refill. 

One is basted with thread, the other with glue. I don't sew through the papers when basting. I only stitch through the fabric on the back side. This means the papers are easier to remove when it comes time to do so. 

I'm pleased enough with the results that I plan to keep using the glue basting; at least until I run out. It is quicker that thread basting, though not by much. That will give me enough time to decide if I really like it better. Have you tried both thread and glue basting for English paper piecing? 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill

Getting Hexie With It

As I was working on my hexie flowers I realized I didn't know where the rest of the flowers were hiding. This later afternoon sun is not helping me take good photographs. 

I poked around in my sewing room until I found what I was looking for: a box labeled "Hexies". Sometimes I get it right. So many great things in that box. A big stack of finished flowers, two more 5" charm packs, a bunch of hexie papers, and some larger pieces of coordinating fabric. 

I cut those last 5" charms into 2.5" charms and put them with the hexie papers. I'll be basting for a while. I may splurge and buy some basting glue. I'm not sure, though. Thread basting is great for using up that questionable poly thread I've had for years. The thread only has to last long enough to get the quilt top pieced. However long that will take. Have you been working on any long-term projects? 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Getting Hexie With It

I have been working, on and off, on these hexie flowers for close to ten years. It is a great travel project, or something I can do while watching television but I just haven't been working on it all that diligently. Want to see where I was in 2014? Check out this post. 

I was recently in a teleconference and grabbed my bag and got stitching. 

I managed to finish four of them last week. Slow progress, but not ten years of slow progress. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch

Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Hexagon

Flexible Rubber Thimbles

Frolic Mystery Quilt

Part 4: Quilting

It has been ages since I finished my version of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt Frolic. This was the Quiltville Winter Mystery for the 2019/2020 season. I played with colors so I could use some fabrics I had on hand. I went with constant fabrics throughout and most of them read as solids. There are solids, but not as many as it seems upon first glance. 

I added my embroidered label directly onto the backing fabric prior to quilting. I really like this as it makes sure that label stays with the quilt.  

I chose the quilting design Quagmire from Urban Elementz to keep with the on-point design. 

I quilted it rather large (approximately 1" between lines of stitching) and I love the finish. I wonder if I cut binding for this one when I finished the top. Now it's trimmed and ready for that binding. 

You can buy a copy of the digital pattern for Frolic directly from Quiltville. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
6.5" Easy Angle Ruler
4.5" Easy Angle Ruler
Companion Angle Ruler
Wing Clipper
Creative Grids 6.5" Square Ruler
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White

Odds and Ends

I'm still working on my crochet hexagons. 

I've been reading. This was when I was finishing the Wheel of Time (affiliate link) series. I'm so excited about the Prime series that's coming out next month. 

I went looking through my notebooks and found the delightful little sea creature hiding in the pages. Sometimes I'm surprised by my own creations. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)

Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg 

Charity Quilting

Just this one little quilt today. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 55

Charity Quilting

This fun little quilt was pieced by Mary. 

This is a new spin on the carpenter's star design. Pieced by Julie. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 54

Charity Quilting

This fun little quilt was pieced by Mary for Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

I pieced this one using some scrappy 16-patch blocks. I was pretty pleased with how this turned out. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 52

Charity Quilting

This is a great little quilt pieced by Mary. 

This one was pieced by Janet. Both will be headed to Annapolis Quilts for Kids next weekend. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 50

Charity Quilting

I think I found my new favorite quilting motif for charity quilts. This swirl design is great! Quilt pieced by another member of Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

This one I chose a fun meander that says "meow" throughout. Perfect for this cute cat quilt.

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 48

Charity Quilting

A couple more quilts pieced by Mary for Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

Simple yet effective. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 46

Knitting Rainbows

I finally finished my little poncho. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. Maybe after I mend in the ends and block it I will. 

Yarn is sport weight from Freia Fine Handpaint Yarns.

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):

Needles: Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - US 4-11 (Sunstruck)

Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg  

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)

RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Large eye needles 

Clover Yarn Threader
Clear travel bag

24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (to hold all those little markers, needles, and so on)

Knitting Rainbows

Check back in a week or two for the finish. I've almost reached the final color of this great yarn. 

Yarn is sport weight from Freia Fine Handpaint Yarns.

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):

Needles: Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - US 4-11 (Sunstruck)

Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg  

Knitting Project

I'm still knitting on this... well, I'm not entirely sure what it will be. In the end, I hope it will keep a human warm and have some great color. 

Yarn is sport weight from Freia Fine Handpaint Yarns.

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):
Needles: Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - US 4-11 (Sunstruck)

Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg