Wednesday, May 9, 2012

WIP: Workin' for a Livin'

So, the theme of this post is "what are you working on?" Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project is on sabbatical (vacation) for the month of May, so she is having a linky party today. I decided to share the 3 projects I am working on as well as send out a reminder for my 50 is Nifty Fabric Giveaway! (and, btw, I am not on vacation, I'm still workin' for a livin')

If you have been following me you know about all the hexagons that I have been sewing on the train to work. I've posted several times on the subject. So, here is the first WIP:





This is a quilt for my daughter. I have sewn about 300 hexies (well, thread basted using the English paper piecing technique) and I am planning on sewing them on to the yellow broadcloth. I haven't decided if I am going to make a pattern or go a little random with it, but since her bed is a queen, I decided that 780 hexies sewn together by hand was a little bit too much for the time I have, and the birthday is in August. The broadcloth looks just like Moda marble fabric and it's good quality. (I love shopping at Fabric.com. I always get a good deal, free shipping (over $35) and there is usually a sale or coupon code). I got 9 yards (3 x 3 yards) for $27 (a steal considering it would have cost me a lot more to get by the yard 44" fabric and I will have leftovers). If you have any suggestions for use of the hexies on this fabric, let me know in the comments.

Second WIP:





This one is for my grandson (son of the daughter above). His birthday is in August too. He likes astronomy and buzz lightyear. I am using a pattern that I found a while back, but I am not following the instructions. It tells you to use something called texture magic which I do not have. So, I re-sized each block and made calculations as to how much fabric I would need to make a twin size. I think it will turn out nicely.

Third WIP:




This one is for my Aunt L. I've decided that the previous 2 quilts are more urgent because of the birthdays, so this will be the last one I finish. It is a queen size and I am using a free pattern that I found from Fons & Porter. It's very scrappy and I did have to re-calculate the amount of fabric to make it queen because they did not provide the measurements for queen.

Which, brings me to another point: I think that if a pattern is suited to all different sizes, then it should include the measurements and amount of fabric for other sizes. If you really want to sell them, it adds value.

Anyway, I am linking up at Leah Day's Vacation Link Up #2 and Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesdays.

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Until next time, leave me some comment love,

Mike.

Pin It!

15 comments:

Pat Merkle said...

All of your projects look great. I love the hexies, but not sure I have the patience to make them.

Rhonda said...

Hi there, I've just found your blog, become a "FOLLOWER" and really love your projects. I'm a quilter and love all types of quilts, techniques and tools. I hope to visit often. Take care!!

The Thompsons said...

Yay for Buzz Light Year- what cute blocks!

Doreen said...

Oh my! You have quite the projects for yourself! I have just begun to baste some hexies....just cuz! The Buzz Lightyear theme is so cool. I think it was a good choice not to use the "Texture Magic" as the quilting will be texture enough! I did see that Fons/Porter pattern and very much like it. Sometimes they have added info on their website for the patterns. I so agree that all sizes should be included in the pattern instructions/supplies. I am seeing that fairly frequently, lately. You certainly will be busy in the future!!

The Slow Quilter said...

You know I think my brain is on vacation, I am just figuring out what w.i.p. stands for - Work In Progress, duh!!!! You seem to have a lot on your plate. I have a lot myself, now I might just join the w.i.p.

Leah said...

LOL Mike! Why do you think I needed a "vacation" - so I could catch up on work!

As for the hexies - consider piecing them into small flowers (single center with 6 surrounding) and applique them randomly over the background fabric. Then you can quilt some funky designs over each flower, and pick a fun texture for the background.

Always remember there's no wrong way to do it so have fun!

Leah

Mike Pearson said...

It's funny you said that! I thought about it! But, like you said, there is no wrong way :) I can't decide if I should quilt the hexies or go around them (like the QALs). The flower thing already crossed my mind (great minds). At any rate, I know I am going to have a good time FMQing it :)

Little City Farm said...

Mike, you are one ambitious fellow. I can't believe that you are in the middle of three such amazing projects. I have a little nephew would kill for that buzz lightyear quilt for sure. Excited to see the finished products. :) Thanks for sharing at our party this week.

Marelize Ries said...

I am also currently working on hexies, and bound them in a flower shape. I am not sure where I will end up with them, but I'm not in a hurry to finish. Its one of those, 'have to wait and see' quilts...

Jan Maree said...

Hmmm cant help with any suggestions re the hexagons - lots of work there so pick an end result you will enjoy doing. Love the quilts for the grandson and aunt. can't wait to see end results. happy stitching!

Danih03 said...

On the hexis, I would randomly applique them and do a leaf stipple quilting in between to connect them all. I'm not sure if I would quilt on top of the flowers, just because its so dang hard quilting over all those seams. But that's just me and my suggestions:) I'm sure you will come up with a wonderful design. Your grandson is gonna love Buzz! Can't wait to see them all finished.

MalinisQuilts said...

Wow! You have been really busy. Love all your blocks. I really like the buzz blocks. I have some buzz fabric. May be in few years I can get to it ;)...lol...
cheers,
Malini

Swallowstitch said...

I nearly jumped out of my seat when I found your blog, at last, someone else with a Pfaff Expression 2.0., and who is learning all about the wonderful world of quilting. I have only just begun to read your archives so I have a lot of catching up to do.I am still learning how to use my machine and will probably drive you crazy asking questions. I trawl the internet in search of fabulous, sharing blogs like this,there is almost always something useful to learn and try. Thank you so much. I wonder if any other of your followers have the same sewing machine?

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

I'm pretty excited about how you'll approach the hexagon quilt! I have a HUGE hexie quilt top in the works (If you went to my blog it's under the my WIP-s tab so you can see it) and I took it with me to a longarm machine quilting class yesterday. The teacher suggested the same to do a continuous line quilting making the hexies look like flowers. Good luck with your deadlines, I'm still struggling with that part... don't we all?! :)

Podunk Pretties said...

Your making great progess on those Hexis. I started one(GFG) 2 yrs ago and havent that much progress.