Wednesday 3 April 2013

Hexagon - a finished quilt top and some advice please

Remember last year July when the first FQ retreat took place in South Kensington. And remember that I started guided by the great Tacha and Brioni my neutral Hexagon quilt ?



Well I have worked on and off on the piece over the past 9 months and made a massive push towards the finishing line when I spend a long weekend at my parents a few weeks back. I always take something to stitch with me and it usually is either knitting or hand stitching in the absence of my trusted Janome.



And now the top is finished and I am soooooooo very pleased with how it turned out 

I love every single hexi in this baby quilt because it includes so many great fabrics. There is tons of Muslin Made from Moda that were left over from one of my first quilts I made


Then there is rough french linen bought at the Cloth House right next to actual old linen from my grandmother. We are talking at least 50 years old.


There are modern text fabrics in there, there is Japanese linen in there, there is delicate Oakshott and so much more.


And this is the back side just in case anybody wants to know how it looks from the back.

Now the big question is how to quilt this beauty ? I have been pondering this question for a while now and can't make a decision. I love the quilt as it is and therefore in-the-ditch quilting would be great but I don't think that is an option as I realized that hand stitching isn't quite as stable and durable as machine stitches so I think it needs to get some extra stability through the quilting process.

Should I hand quilt or machine quilt ? Should I sent it to a longarmer for something special ? Should I just stitch along the seems to underline the hexi shapes are totally ignore it ?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.



18 comments:

  1. Tempted to suggest hand quilting in a variety of threads to add a simple texture - neutral colours maybe a meandering line across the quilt echoing the ditch line!

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  2. I would machine stitch, long length neutral (Aurifil 2021) through the middles, in picture 2 that would be left to right, simple and not to detract from the hexies, but each one will be secure.
    It is totally beautiful xxx

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  3. I would opt for hand-stitching too - it would add lovely texture and my guess is that it would provide the stability you desire, too.

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  4. I hand stitched mine. It turned out nice and added that special TLC touch to the quilt. Now, mind you I stink at hand stitching, but it is MINE! and no one but my family is sleeping under this quilt, so there is no one to comment negatively on my stitching skills. I created a flower template to stitch in each six hexie and then a row of leaves down.. you can see it if you like http://runtomomma.blogspot.com/2011/07/hexie-progress.html I hope that link works as it would not let me copy and paste

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  5. I've made two queen sized GFG quilts and wanted them hand quilted. I stink at hand quilting and don't enjoy it, so I found someone else to hand quilt them for me! :)

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  6. it turned out gorgeous! I think I would lean towards hand quilting, but I think no matter what, it will be amazing.

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  7. I have no advice on the quilting of it, but just wanted to say that it is totally beautiful. I love how you've incorporated so many special memories and fabrics in to the quilt top :) x

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  8. This is so wonderful! You did the hexie proud ; )

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  9. Great job. I have no clue how to quilt it, since I haven't made a hexie quilt yet. Good luck.

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  10. My goodness, it is stunning! Sorry I don't have any ideas on the best way to quilt it - I wouldn't be able to decide either. Good luck!

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  11. Great job on the hexies! Love all those different neutrals. I would be inclined to hand quilt as it was hand sewn, but more than that I'm not experienced enough in hand quilting or hexies to say :)

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  12. It's beautiful! I'd also hand quilt it...

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  13. It is so beautiful.
    I have no clue how best to quilt it, but I would probably follow Hadley's advice if it were me.

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  14. I'm just here to say "Brilliant". I love this puppy.. But I'm kinda sorta absolutely useless at choosing how to best quilt it. Just had to say how much I admire your work. Good luck.

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  15. I think minimal hand quilting. Definitely not long arm, it will suffocate it.

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  16. this is incredible. I am going through the same dilemma with my Hexie MF quilt...but I am not finished piecing it yet. But, I think I will hand quilt mine.

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  17. I dread hand-quilting, because I'm impatient and not great at it, however....I think that with the time and energy you put into this quilt so far, machine quilting would just feel wrong.... though it would stabilize the quilt throughout. I have a finished top of a hexi garden design from great grandma....I am in a similar dilemma, do I finish the way I usually do, with a machine, or put the energy and time that is worthy of this beautiful monstrosity? And I only call it a monstrosity because I dread the adventure because I may not find I am worthy of finishing it. (Still a bit of a novice who wants to finish it for my own kids to enjoy one day.) Well, good luck with all the idea's you have been given! Can't wait to see how you finish it, because I may just follow suit. Take your time, this seems like it will be at least a 3 year project for me!

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  18. How big of a hexie did you use? The colors have inspired me to use my neutrals and I also have a weakness for word fabric. Yours is gorgeous. Thank you

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Thank you for your comments! I love reading them and will answer every question you have on my projects. But I have a very busy daytime job and am therefore not able to thank each and every comment. Please don't be offended if I won't reply.