The Big Hex Flimsy

The Big Hex ~ 44"(h) X 52"(w).

I have been inspired by this quilt/play mat for little ones that I found on Pinterest as a way
to combine my own recently constructed hexie blocks (most recent BOM at my LQS) into a similar project for a baby gift; the hardest part, for me, was finding suitable quality pom-pom trim, I am super picky about that! I found some that is absolutely perfect, it is a natural color, I can use it as is and it will add visual interest, texture and assist in weighing down the edges when it's on the floor for baby's tummy time; or, I can get brave and try dyeing it turquoise for one more pop of color. I am still not sure about that. In the meantime, while I decide to dye or not to dye, I already have a quilt on Snowbird, as soon as the quilting is completed on that one I will be loading Big Hex on the rails for its turn and adding the sweetest Goldilocks and the Three Bears backing fabric. I do believe that the new baby, and her Mommy, will really enjoy this gift.

Stay tuned for the pom-pom edge finishing touch; I am hopeful that last step will be as wonderful as I am imagining it to be, I have never done anything like this before (dyeing or adding an embellishment as an edge finish), any advice or tips would be most appreciated. Fingers crossed!🤞

Life is Good!

 

Working The "Bugs" Out...

My daughter requested a pouch for a single diaper plus a small, travel sized, pack of baby wipes. I found a pattern on the Internet and came up with this model. I'm going to rework it, get the "bugs" out, so to speak. Think of me as your pattern exterminator. You can see from the photo on the left that my corners (at the flap) look a little... ahem... "bunchy". I'm going to make another one right away, I plan to pink the seam allowances close to the stitching line to alleviate the excess bulk that appears after turning it right side out. I am also going to make the angle of the flap more gradual so that there is an even (not tapered) edge at the fold-over. Stay tuned for modifications; the pattern's dimensions are perfect, no changes to be made there. I made this one from cotton duck fabric and added a layer of DecorBond between the front and the lining (quilting weight cotton) to beef-up the pouch and make it more substantial for accepting the machine embroidery. This trial model will serve the purpose for my daughter's immediate needs.(Mason can use this later on after toilet-training, too, it would be perfect to carry a small tablet and colored pencils.) I found the empty plastic wipes case at Babies 'R Us. for $2.99. I was thinking, too, what a cute gift this would make for a new mommy with one of these plastic cases plus a personalized burp cloth tucked inside! Good thing I have a few new mommies on whom to practice my ideas.

On the piecing front... the basket quilt has finally coalesced on the design wall and is slowly being stitched together, row by row. Why slowly? I want to make certain that each and every basket is heading in the right direction (ask me how easy it is to flip or rotate one!) before the row is complete. Extra time spent orienting (with pins, stickers, arrows... don't laugh, I use them all) now, will be time saved ripping later.

Life is Good!