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It's finished! (Alternative title: Hexy Heaven)


Lily's Quilts

Yes, you read that right - my hexy quilt top is finished!  I actually finished it a week ago but haven't managed to blog about it until now!  I've had trouble getting photos of it because I can't find anywhere outside where I can hang it and take a photo.  Here's a photo of it outside, before the borders were added:


All the hexies are stitched together!
Hexies on the fence

but it's now too big and trails on the ground!  Once it's been layered and tacked (and so has a bit of weight to it and somewhere to put stones without hiding the hexies) I might try laying it on the front grass and leaning out of my sewing room window but it's a bit breezy today to try that with just a quilt top - it'd be off down the road before I got upstairs!  Right, that's enough chat, let's show you more photos!  (I copied Hadley and hung it in the conservatory - it's a good place to take photos and you don't risk dangling your pale quilt top in mud.)  It took 21 months and 12 days (not that I'm counting!) to get to this point:


It's finished!


and I think it was worth every minute!  Do you want to see some close-ups?  Yes, I thought so!  (Tough if you don't!)


My hexy top - a close-up


My hexy top - a close-up


My hexy top - a close-up


My hexy top - a close-up


As you can see, I added a narrow (1" finished) border of a grey on white dot (which was going to be the backing fabric but I only had 3m of it - nowhere near enough!) and then a wider (1¾" finished) pale pink and white striped border.  I decided to butt the corners of the dotty border because the corners were next to a 60˚/30˚ corner and I thought a 45˚ angle right next to it would look a little odd but I mitred the corners of the stripy border because I think mitred corners and stripy fabric are a match made in heaven!  

After 'keeping' it in a heap for quite a while I finally got to fold the quilt top (photo taken before the borders were added):

Finally folded!
I love how it looks from the back!

This quilt was started during Lynne and Gayle's marvellous Hex-a-long, which was inspired by the Candied Hexagons quilt (designed by Kerry Dear) and this version by Lizzie Broderie - Lizzie makes the most amazing quilts, make a cup of tea and then pop over for a look, you'll be there a while!  I  hand pieced (not EPP, as many people assume) my first hexagon on 13th August 2011 (they're 3" hexagons), my final (178th) hexagon on 13th December 2012, had stitched all the hexagons together by 9th May 2013 (more photos  here) and finished adding the borders on 25th May 2013.  I'll be honest, I really miss piecing this project and I suspect there are more hexagons in my future - maybe a quilt full of type δ?  Or a quilt-sized version of my hexy cushion?!


I've got my backing washed so now need to go and iron it and hoover the carpet(!) and then I can start layering and tacking.  I haven't yet decided how I'm going to quilt it (except that it will be by hand - I have some ideas but nothing is settled) or even what thread I'm using (at the moment it's between Gutermann Sulky 30, Perle #12 or Coton a Broder #16 - a generous friend has given me samples of each so I'll be trying them out to see which I prefer) so if you have any suggestions please shout!  


Siblings Together Quilting Bee


I also want to mention that I'm part of the Siblings Together Quilting Bee which Lynne has set up.  I'm not a 'full' member but have joined as an emergency/angel bee and am also acting as a cheerleader bee.  (I feel I need little cartoon bees to illustrate this - anyone good at drawing?!)  Each month the bee will make a 60" x 80" quilt for Siblings Together (read more about this charity here), to be given at the 2014 camps.  There are several very generous companies sponsoring the bee:


 Moda are providing a FQ bundle each month

 Lady Sew and Sew are providing the wadding

and these companies are providing backing fabrics:

       

            

      


I'd like to say a massive thank you to Lynne for setting up the bee and to the sponsors for being so wonderfully generous!

The bee is starting this month with Lynne and I can't wait!  I know that I'm unlikely to be making any blocks (hopefully I won't because that means that everyone in the bee is healthy, happy and okay to sew!) but I do enjoy cheering from the sidelines!  There will be lots of blog posts about it, too, because the bee is full of wonderful bloggers - keep your eyes peeled!


Archie finally has a new bed in the conservatory.  Those of you with a good memory for insignificant details will remember that I've already bought him a new bed for there but it was too cold for him to be in there at the time so I put it under my sewing table and realised just how much he loves being up there (it's become his third favourite place, after a sun-filled conservatory and a patch of sun on the front room carpet) so I can't take it away from him.  And he really needed a new bed:


b--i-need-a-new-bed-in-here_8912196677_o
I need a new bed in here...

It's taken me a while to find a(nother) suitable bed but then a trip to a garden centre for compost provided the answer:


b--for-me_8912352733_o
It must be for me, it's got my name on it!  

Of course, there's an obvious drawback to getting a dark-coloured bed for a white dog that moults incessantly (it's particularly bad at the moment because he's shedding his winter coat) but he does love it and it's easy to hoover!

b--ah-this-is-the-life_8912979008_o
Ah, this is the life!

And finally, it's come to my attention that Archie has a twin:


b--a-twin--me--where_8912420413_o
A twin?  Are you sure?  He'd better show himself right now - has he brought biscuits?

Can you imagine how wonderfully cute it would be if he really did?!!  

I'm linking up with Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day - I'm going to make myself a cup of tea and settle down to catch up with what people have been making in May before Archie starts demanding his teatime walk!

I'm also linking up with Annabella for the Let's Get Acquainted link up (organised by Beth@Plum and June) and am desperately trying to think of my favourite holiday destination for the link up!  (I don't really 'do' holidays, I prefer staying at home!  I'm lucky enough to live a fifteen minute walk from the beach, which Archie and I love to visit.  I like to look at the sea and collect pebbles/sea glass.  Archie likes to dig holes, eat seaweed and carry pebbles/driftwood in his mouth as he jogs along the dunes.)


Plum and June


Comments

  1. Oh my... this is a stunning quilt! I love everything about it and can't imagine how it must look in person. GREAT job!

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  2. It is just beautiful Helen and every time I moan about my little EPP project I shall think about the 21 month marathon you went through ;-)

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  3. This is AMAZING! I love everything about it! What an awesome finish to have waiting to be quilted and quite the milestone. Congrats!

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  4. Oh my. It's MAGNIFICENT !! Good for you for sticking to it. Such a feather in your quilting cap! I hope you do more in the future. I always have hexies of different sizes on the go ; )

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  5. What a masterpiece!! This is such an accomplishment!!

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  6. oh my gosh, this is something else!! Just beautiful!

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  7. Oh wow your quilt top finish is magnificent. Archie as cute as ever!

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  8. great finish! I'm sure it was a lot of work, but enjoyment at the same time - now to quilting it and you will enjoy it even more.

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  9. Amazing quilt!!! Well done!!

    Where did you get Archie's bed? Meg could with a new one.

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  10. I think I am speechless. I have just read this post three times to keep taking in the pictures and the precision. Awesome xx

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  11. Your hexie quilt is beautiful, so much work but so worth it. Archie's new bed (named after him, of course) is just what he needs for the sun room.

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  12. That is such a beautiful quilt top. Nice work!

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  13. That hexies top is lovely. I love the stained glass effect of the light coming through it, too. And the back is so neat! what a feat! Lovely!

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  14. What a fantastic finish, no wonder you are thrilled

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  15. Absolutely stunning Hexy, thanks for sharing the close-ups! And Archie has made a follower out of me!

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  16. Oh wow, your quilt is amazing! I could spend forever looking at all the different hexy blocks!!!! And Archie is just adorable!!!! x

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  17. The quilt looks gorgeous. I can't imagine the effort it took - and hand quilting it - you are such a patient soul. And oh, if only Archie had a twin! It's good he doesn't - that might be too much cute to handle!

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  18. Totally amazing hexie quilt! I'm in awe

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  19. That is a totally amazing quilt, and I think worth every minute (but then that's easy for me to say I haven't spent the last 2 years making it!)- just beautiful, and can't wait to see how you quilt it :o)

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  20. Oh Helen, well done!!! It has turned out so beautifully, I bet you are chuffed to bits!!! Can't wait to see it all quilted.
    Looking forward to getting going on the Siblings Together quilts xxx

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  21. that quilt is stunning just stunning!! love it and love Archie so so much we have a Jack Russell terrier called Spot! can't wait to get started on our ST quilts! xx

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  22. amazing, amazing, amazing!! Truly beautiful!
    The twin shot is hilarious!!

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  23. This is absolutely stunningly beautiful! I love it!!

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  24. Wow! Stonkingly awesome quilt top H! No wonder you're chuffed with it. And I can't think of a better bee cheer leader! Jxo

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  25. It's so beautiful Helen - delicate and pretty and like the most gorgeous kaleidoscope you could look through!

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  26. Wow Helen, it's stunning!

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  27. Oh I bet you feel so proud... that hexie quilt makes you a hero for gorgeous, superb, completion. Take a bow!
    No, not a "Bow Wow wow"...Archie might think you are talking "biscuits".

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  28. this quilt is amazing! I love how you fussy cut the blue and white stripes to form a star :)

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  29. Yay! Congrats on this finish Helen! It's all looking even more amazing now its pieced together :)

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  30. Well, you go girl!!! What a great hexie, the colors are devine. It will be a beautiful finish.

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  31. The quilt is fantastic - I love all those different hexies! I am in awe - especially of your patience!
    Congrats to Archie on his new bed - looks really cosy!

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  32. Wow! It is absolutely fabulous !!!!!!!!! Amazingly good job. You must have buckets of patience to stick with it. You must be chuffed. Di x

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  33. You know how much I love this quilt but just in case I LOVE THIS QUILT! Archie reminds me of Harry Worth Showing my great age - it's black and white!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIPihrhzr-U

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  34. Stunning Helen - are you going to hand quilt? It's just amazing.

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  35. A totally brilliant hexie quilt Helen everything about it is perfect. Even the back is lovely and neat. A real work of art and so worth all the hard work. I wonder are you and Archie working on a cheer leader routine for Siblings Together? I'd love to see it when you've perfected it. :) Enjoy your hand quilting. Xxx

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  36. What a labour of love, I bet you will feel lost when it's finished. I love how the patterns on the fabrics match perfectly when pieced together.

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  37. Sensational accomplishment! It is just too beautiful..WOW!

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  38. Woohoo, well done! And so glad Archie can be comfy wherever he decides to rest his head :oD

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  39. Congratulations! Your quilt top is fantastic!

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  40. Your quilt is beautiful Helen! Rx

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  41. I think you should rename it Helen's Hexie Heaven. You should feel really proud of yourself because itis a fantastic achievement. Well done.
    P.S...looking dapper Archie.

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  42. Helen, this quilt is hexilicious! I've admired it from the start, and I'm so happy for you that you've completed the top. I'm looking to start a new hand stitching project. Hexies, perhaps?

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  43. Congratulations!! It is absolutely stunning!!
    I'm just starting a project of pieced hexagons - they are such fun and there are so many different possibilities!!

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  44. OK - see - this is why I love Let's Get Acquainted - it brought me to your blog - which I now love - between Archie and that Hexie quilt - awesome! I started to ask you if you had a favorite block but after I looked at the photos again - all the blocks are terrific. It is one of those quilts that you could look at for days and still see something new. Great, great job.

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  45. oh my goodness, that is one gorgeous quilt! I love the light shining through the quilt top, and the blocks look so precisely pieced. just stunning!

    -Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  46. Love your finished quilt, I have been following it on Flickr. I am in the process of doing a candied hexagon quilt with EPP, 2 inch. It's quite an investment in time....congrats on sticking to it. Kristin @p8ntingmom.blogspot.com

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  47. Such stunning work - your piecing is just amazing!!

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  48. Glad to see this gorgeous quilt again, and again, ....

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  49. It is amazing! I envy your patience to sew on a quilt for such a long time but it is worth it. It looks fantastic!

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  50. omg - it's so beautiful - congrats on the finish :)

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  51. Oh Helen!!! It is so beautiful! You are a master. This is so stunningly beautiful. You should be so proud!!

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  52. This quilt is beautiful!! I love all the different hexies!

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  53. Oh wow, that quilt top is gorgeous!! How intricate! I definitely can't wait to see it finished c:

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  54. Wow - WOW, Wow, Wow - that is incredible. I would never have the patience for that.

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  55. Dreamy, dreamy quilt, well done you!
    Loved the whole post.

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  56. Hi just stopped by to say thanks for your lovely comment about my quilt and I found yours...it's unbelievably amazing!! You have a serious amount of patience to stick with it. Look forward to seeing how you quilt it...good luck!

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  57. This is SO COOL! It's gorgeous and I'm completely smitten!

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  58. I love those photos with the light streaming through the hexies. You have done such an amazing job. Cannot believe that it is all pieced together!!!

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  59. Its gorgeous well done you, what a lot of work, you must be very proud of yourself xx

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  60. This is an amazing quit! Love the pics of Archie!

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  61. My Oh My ! That is some quilt! Amazing- Well done- all hand pieced incredible! I've seen your blog bandied about the place and now I can see I'll have to join the throng and follow you too!

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  62. Wowee your hexi quilt is INCREDIBLE!!! And your back is soooo neat too. What a sense of achievement you must have. A wonderful masterpiece.

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  63. Did I tell you I love it?

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  64. I cannot even begin to tell you how impressed I am that you did this quilt! I would have given up at month 2, or around block 5. I so admire your perseverance. AND, it's lovely to boot!!!
    Really, well done!

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  65. This is totally amazing! I've enjoyed the journey. Is it for you to enjoy once its complete?

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  66. Wow! Your hexies are something else! Quite amazing! How did you cope? So much patience! Congratulations on the result.
    Has ARchie already lain on the plaid? Seems like his cup of tea.

    Have a nice weekend, and if you should get tired...you know there's something nice to huddle under (or to huddle away? this does not sound right anyway) . Together with Archie.

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  67. Oh my gosh, this is stunning!!!

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  68. This is amazing, you can tell that hours and hours of hard work have gone into it. I love the variety of different patterns and fabrics and the way that it fits together so well. Yay for finishing!

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  69. It's a fantastic quilt top you have there. Congrats on the big finish

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  70. Hi, just catching up on what I have missed while we have been away! OMG you've finished the hexie! It is absolutely beautiful, I bet you are so proud of it. Oh I am so with on white dogs! cleaning the camper has been a nightmare, the living areas were fairly easy I just have mats everywhere, but the driving area... there are so many nooks and crannies I just couldn't get them all out, When the weather improves I am going to take the hoover and get the little blighters sucked out! Try a wet rubber glove to get hairs off his bed. xx

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  71. I'm behind...and just now seeing your fabulous hexie quilt top! Great job Helen! I bet that feels wonderful. I love Archie's twin's photo and his new bed! The collar and lead post are also adorable. He is just so photogenic! That mouse pin cushion in the sewing box is adorable. Duke says hi!

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  72. What a wonderful quilt Helen... and what a great read too. Archie is too cute for words...!

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  73. This quilt is beyond awesome!! Can't wait to see more! Archie is one cute fella too!

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  74. Your hexy quilt top is stunning, amazing and truly a labour of love with all of that accurate hand-piecing. Well done! I see that it's all basted now and I think your thread choice and quilting line layout is just perfect. Enjoy finishing up this beautiful quilt!

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  75. A stunning quilt! I love hexies and your quilt is the most stunning!

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