October SQ challenge...

Oh dear, i'm a bit behind with my October small quilt challenge quilt. You might remember that i just happened to get a little distracted with another project, namely the mountain trail quilts, which i blogged about last week.

Well... i'm back on track, there will be no more distractions!!

So anyway, October's SQ challenge was the hexagon flowers doll quilt from Kathy's book 'The Civil War Sewing Circle'

seeing as i'd already made this quilt, last year, i decided to go ahead and make a mini version, with a bit of a twist.

So..first things first, i printed off the small hexie shapes [size .45inches] onto a pre-used A4 size envelope. You can use card stock but i prefer the paper not to be too thick, it's more pliable yet firm enough for paper piecing; and much easier to remove once the hexies have been joined..it can be used many times over.

 These hexies are a half inch smaller [from the ones i used in the bigger quilt], which may not sound a lot, i know, but believe me they were quite tiny and a tad fiddly to manoevre.

However, i persevered and after making a few i soon got the hang of working with the tinier shapes.; although... i lost count of how many times i pricked my fingers, and even drew blood..ouch!!

take a look at the difference in size...i guess i did set myself a task didn't i lol???

But hey, it was worth it.. just look at how cute they are.

i needed seven hexagon flowers for the quilt top.

next....i made lots and lots of tiny black hexies...54 in total

the dusty pink hexie flower was chosen to go in the centre, so then, the next thing to do was to frame it with black hexies...

then, it was time to frame the outer hexagon flowers with black hexies and link them all together..they kinda resemble a floral wreath, don't they??

now it was time to sew the centre hexagon flower in place and get on with the task of choosing the fabric for the outer frame.  i knew i wanted to use green so this smaller print fit the bill, perfectly.

so now the next round of [green] hexies are sewn in place, and as i was removing the templates, from the previous round i took a moment to inspect the flipside.  How interesting.. i love how it's completely different to the front.. i simply had to take a pic to show you.

Before i even started making the hexies for this quilt i knew i wanted the finished quilt to take on the shape of a hexagon, which meant i was going to make the entire top with tiny paper pieced hexies.  Well, i really didn't think it through, did i??

Ok, so now i'm almost there, with just the corner stones to do. It didn't take long to decide on the teal and in no time i had the last 24 hexies made.. i got really fast at making the tiny hexies in the end lol!

and here's the finished quilt top..oh what a relief!!

i had the quilting done over a couple of nights.

On Thursday, i was finally on the home stretch...yay!! btw i was pleasantly surprised at how easy the binding was to sew on, considering all the corners.

and here 'tis..all done and dusted; measuring a tiny ten inches.

and here's my tiny Hitty and her even tinier jointed friend sharing a rocker atop the hexie quilt...

 i popped it on a vintage hanger yesterday, and for the time being, it's hanging on one of the cabinets in my studio.. it will eventually join the other challenge quilts on my quilt wall.

btw did i happen to mention that there's 168 tiny hand pieced hexagons in the quilt top???  all i can say is i'm really glad it's finished and i think i've had my fill of making hexies...for awhile anyway :)))

oops i almost forgot...i've just linked to Taryn's little doll quilt show, where she's got a couple of lovely giveaways, including some yummy cheddar fabric and a sweet little doll quilt. There's over 80 links already and lots of delightful little quilts to drool over, so pop over and have a squiz :)))

Comments

[annette]

So sweet! It's such a pretty treasure worth all the work.

[Denise :)]

Your hexies are quite sweet! I figured I'd just try adding your blog address to my blog roll to see if it would come up -- it does -- go figure! :)

[Meredithe]

Just gorgeous! Clever you!

[Sandy (aka Stitches)]

I just love the little Hexie's..I like making Hexie's too and they are fun to make and use. Your quilts are fantastic...

[Carrie P.]

love your entry in the little quilt show.

[Gayle]

Absolutely beautiful!

[Helen F]

Now I know you are crazy!!!! fancy making a tiny hexy quilt even smaller!!!! - but it looks gorgeous!!!!!

[sarah did it!]

I love the layout you chose...I'ld also like to try the smaller pieces. I started with .75" and have no tried 1," 1.5" and 2." it's time to go smaller! I hope you'll consider joining my hexie linky party held the 17th of each month - next one is this weekend 11/17!

[Barbara J]

Gorgeous little hexie quilt! Such intense and creative work. Makes a nice mat for Hitty for sure.