Friday, October 4, 2013

Friday Finish: {Hugs}

I finished the hexagon quilt I started in Jacquie's workshop in time to gift to a dear friend who can use an extra hug right now.  I hope the cheery fabrics and quilted messages of hope, love and peace provide comfort to her.



There were times when I wasn't sure how this quilt would turn out, but in the end I am very pleased with the finished product.  I kept remembering some of Jacquie's pointers which really helped:  pin, pin, pin; use the bias to your advantage; sew with previous seams facing up so you aren't sewing blind; sweep seams away; and when finished press all seams down and to the left.  If I ever piece hexagons by machine again, I will stitch with a darker/contrasting thread for better visibility.





The size of the quilt was determined in class basically by filling up the portable design wall with the oversize hexagons I had cut from my fat quarters.  Jacquie and friends helped with the placement of the hexies.  It wasn't until I was home and finished sewing the rows and columns together that I realized the quilt wasn't quite tall enough so I added borders to the top and bottom.

Backing
I used a fat quarter bundle of Technicolor for the hexagons, with the remaining fabric coming from my stash.  The borders are from Connecting Threads; the backing is a Amy Butler Soul Blossom print; the binding is the last of the pink ribbon binding leftover from my mom's Got Pink? quilt.

"hope"
"peace"
You can't really tell (I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing), but I free motion quilted words of "hope", "love" and "peace" here and there among meandering loops.  I used Aurifil 50wt thread for the quilting.  This is the second time I have quilted with Aurifil and I love it.

"love"

 I spent a few minutes admiring the crinkly goodness that comes after washing and drying a quilt before I wrapped it up for gifting.

more "love"

Quilt stats:
Name: {Hugs}
Pattern: Piecing Hexagons by Machine technique by Jacquie Gering
Finished Size: 52" x 75"
Fabric: Technicolor by Emily Herrick; Connecting Threads Quilter's Cotton; Soul Blossoms by Amy Butler
Quilted: Free-motioned loops and words of hope, love and peace using Aurifil 50wt 2024 White thread


Thanks for stopping by!  Linking up with Amanda's finish it up Friday.

11 comments:

  1. I absolutely can stress enough how much I LOVE your quilting on this quilt. It is absolutely beautiful, thoughtful and so loving. Your friend will feel so blessed and loved when she receives this gift in a time of need.

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  2. This is a lovely quilt! I love the border and the quilting is just perfect. I trust it brings comfort to your 'friend in need'!

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  3. I am positive it will give big heart warming hugs. You were brave machine piecing hexagons but its not so bad when you have a good teacher guiding you. Beautiful finish Rene.

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  4. It's really lovely, René. I can appreciate the challenges of sewing hexagons, having recently completed such a quilt myself. You did a beautiful job, and the quilting is especially nice. Extra nice with the addition of those thoughtful sentiments. I have no doubt your friend will cherish this quilt. My best to her too. Keep up your excellent quiltmaking.

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  5. Quilty hexie love. The best kind ; ) Enjoy knowing she will wrap herself in this beautiful gift.

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  6. Rene', I love this quilt! Well done!

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  7. it looks fabulous! I love using 50wt Aurifil for quilting, especially dense quilting.

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  8. A lovely quilt and is sure to be a cheery lift for your friend. I love the words you quilted into the FRQ. Great idea.

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  9. This is a great quilt. If and when I attempt hexies, I'll have to do it when you're up in the NW for a visit and have you come by my tutor! :D

    And what a comforting and encouraging gift for your friend.

    PS. (I agree- Aurifil thread really is the best!)

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  10. What a great quilt and a lovely way to brighten up a friends path.

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  11. you have such a knack for choosing fabric! Is that a learned talent?

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