One year ago I started working on a twin-size quilt for my friend, Rommy, as part of an art exchange. She selected a set of aqua and green fabrics I had in my stash to use for her quilt. This quilt was full of firsts for me. I used new (to me) techniques: cutting triangles, piecing hexagons and sewing y-seams.
Finished twin-size “What the Hex” quilt (photographed on a queen size bed)
Binding Detail
While piecing did not take long, the actual quilting took a few months. Between the 1/4″ spacing, stopping and turning, each unique hexagon took approximately 2 hours to complete.
Quilting Detail
Border Quilting Detail
The backing fabric came from a cotton shower curtain I rediscovered on a trip back to AZ. I thought the feminine print was a nice contrast to the geometric front. While it was wide enough, I had to piece in a bit for the length. Â The only quilting difficulty came from keeping it smooth enough and preventing fabric tucks.
Backing fabric upcycled from cotton shower curtain
I also now understand the appeal of whole-cloth quilting. I love how the back shows off the intricate quilting design.
Straight line quilting done with walking foot
Straight line quilting border detail
After finishing the quilt, I decided to make two coordinating pillow shams from the scraps. Â Embracing the “work with what you’ve got” philosophy, I used scrap batting in both shams and a plain white pillow case for the backing. Don’t tell my husband that I’ve started scrounging in the linen closet to supplement my quilting addiction.
Scrappy Pillow Shams
I also made a hand embroidered label, mainly to cover up part of the backing that creeped up while quilting. It was the first time I ever tried hand embroidery and the first time I ever made a quilt label.
For: Rommy | ❤ Carrie 2015
This has been my favorite quilt to date and I am a bit sad to give this one away. I take solace in knowing it will be going to a good home and be well-loved (and used) by Rommy.
Now to not-so-humble brag. Linking-up like crazy to:
Needle & Thread Thursday @My Quilting Infatuation
Sew Cute Tuesday @Blossom Heart Quilts
Show & Tell Tuesday @I Have to Say
Too Cute Tuesday @Funky Polkadot Giraffe
Can I get a Whoop Whoop?!?! @Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link-a-Finish Friday @Richard and Tanya Quilts
Thank God It’s Finished Friday @Simply Pieced
Finish It Up Friday @Crazy Mom Quilts
Quilt for Keeps
Chopping Block Quilts 
What a beautifully designed and quilted quilt! Such a gigantic , monumental undertaking, Congratulations on finishing! Did you create this pattern or buy it somewhere? I like it so well that would like to try something similar.
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Thanks Barb! For the design of the quilt I was inspired and (somewhat) followed the 2010 QAL from Jaybird Quilts.
You can find the info on the QAL along with links to each topic here:
http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2010/03/hexagon-quilt-along-supplies.html
It was such an easy (and flexible) “block” I plan on making another quilt using equilateral triangle method soon.
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Thanks for the link! I will look at it
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This is gorgeous. I especially love the quilting.
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Yvonne-
Thanks for your kind words. The quilting was all done with a walking foot as I’m very novice when it comes to free-motion quilting. I can’t wait to see how you quilt the Bluebird Park baby quilt you’re working on.
Carrie Bawolek Chopping Block Quilts
On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 8:48 PM, Chopping Block Quilts wrote:
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This is really beautiful, and I love the quilting choices you made.
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Thanks for your kind words Stephanie. Each hexagon is unique and while I had sketched out a few when I started, the designs evolved throughout the quilting process.
So glad you commented as I now have another fabulous quilting/sewing blog and instagram account to follow!
Carrie Bawolek Chopping Block Quilts
On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 9:05 PM, Chopping Block Quilts wrote:
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I’m so impressed with your walking foot quilting! I also quilt exclusively with my walking foot, but haven’t tried quite that intricate of a design. Your quilt is beautiful!
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Diann-
This was definitely the most complex quilting I have done with a walking foot yet. I am intimidated to try FMQ and the more comfortable I get with the walking foot, the more I want to explore the versatility.
Have you taken the Craftsy class Creative Quilting with your Walking Foot ? It’s on my wishlist to take and am curious on how it is.
Carrie Bawolek Chopping Block Quilts
On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 9:30 PM, Chopping Block Quilts wrote:
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My husband was walking by and saw the first picture. He says, “I like that quilt; the hexes look like nuts!” 🙂 The texture on the edges and the back of the quilt is so delightful. Congratulations on a wonderful finish, and how awesome that it is going to such a great home.
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Yvonne-
Is your husband an engineer by any chance? Sounds like something my dad or husband would say. In any case, thanks for your and your husband’s kind words.
I love the quilting you did on your HST scrap quilt. Dot to Dot quilting is something I want to tackle (with the walking foot). I don’t think I could get straight lines likes yours doing FMQ. Have you taken the Angela Walter’s Craftsy class on Dot to Dot quilting? It’s on my wishlist and I’m trying to decide what course to purchase next.
Carrie Bawolek Chopping Block Quilts
On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 10:45 PM, Chopping Block Quilts wrote:
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Yes, my husband and I are both engineers. 🙂 I have not taken a dot to dot class from Angela Walters, but I have seen a few short videos she make loosely explaining the technique and I scour the internet for inspiration images (pinterest) all the time!
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I looked…and looked again…and again. Couldn’t tell at first if it was hand or machine quilted. It is stunning. I love the softness of the colours and of the overall quilting, LOVE the backing and how it shows off the quilting. You made me smile with your “don’t tell my husband I’m scrounging…” comment!
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Sandra-
First- I wanted to say thank for your Stretches for Sewers. I have been doing the Dangling pose as I have a lot of tension in my upper back and shoulders.
Second- Your Namaste Hug heart quilt is beautiful! I am amazed at how fast you got that quilted (do you have a long-arm?) and love the minky back. I have never tried sewing with minky but love how it feels. How did you find your first minky sewing experience? How did you have to adjust your quilting style/methods from using traditional cotton?
Third- Thank you for your kind words about my “What the Hex” quilt. As for my husband, I don’t think he’s read the blog post yet because he has not mentioned the pillaging of our bed linens. It’s my birthday next week so we are heading to a quilt shop this weekend and I hope to add a few basics to my stash to hold me over for awhile.
I look forward to the next edition of Stretches for Sewers!
Carrie
Carrie Bawolek cbawolek@gmail.com CR: +506.8338.2614 USA: +1.480.540.7282
On Fri, Jul 24, 2015 at 5:07 PM, Chopping Block Quilts wrote:
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First of all, the fabrics are just to die for, and the way you used them is perfection. I also love the way you quilted it – it is absolutely fabulous! GREAT WORK!!!
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This is a fabulous quilt… You should be so proud of your work! It’s hard to give away such a pretty thing, but it’s nice that you know it will be cherished by your friend.
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What a great quilt! I like your fabric and color choices. The quilting is amazing – both front and back.
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I just love everything about this quilt. Your attention to detail and your love of quilting shines through. Your recipient is a very lucky person!
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