Hexagon Bed Runner

The King sized Bed Runner has been completed and delivered.  The new owner loves it!
Here is a picture of it just sitting on the floor.  You can't really tell much from this picture.

 So I just threw it across my unmade bed (which is also a King size) so you could see the size.

It measures 18 1/2 inches wide by 101 1/2 inches long.  I don't remember the exact number of hexagons, but it was over 100.  I made it from six packs of charm squares.  The back of each block is the same as the front.  I did make each hexagon in my embroidery machine and then stitched them all together with the sewing machine.

There has been lots of other stitching and sewing going on besides the bed runner.  I need to just finish up a few things (like binding, etc) and then I can take some pictures and post them here.

There really is stitching being done

Ok, so it was pointed out to me yesterday (Thanks Jackie) that I haven't blogged anything for over a month.  I really do need to share some pictures of projects just so you know that I haven't been idle.  I haven't been working on the things that I should be working on (but that is new how?)  Although, I have been working on one project that I was commissioned for, which is a good thing.  I have been working on a King sized bed runner made from hexagons.  I think I have made 80+ so far.  Here is a picture of just a few:

 

I also have been stitching some various blocks that will either be made into a quilt or wall hangings, or maybe even some individual pillows.  Here are a few of those.  This first one will probably be made into a pillow.  I am fascinated by the newspaper print fabrics.  I think they give a different look to projects that I would normally just use plain white fabric for.  All of these blocks were made using Chantell's Creations embroidery designs.

Next up are a few that will hopefully make it together in a wall hanging for my bedroom.  You might recognize this fabric from some pillows that I made for the bedroom earlier.

 

I was on a roll with this fabric and made a 'hot plate' mat for the kitchen.  I ended up hanging it on the side of my refrigerator.  It looks very nice there.





Then I made a couple of  ones that I will probably make into pillows using a fabric with some cats on it.  This comes in 3 colorways, so I am sure another one will show up soon.

 

Next up is a block I made while trying to decide how to move forward on the Charlie Harper quilt.  I was just playing around with some ideas.  I have a clear view of that quilt now and have been working on it in the background.  Once I have a little more stitched I will share.

There are a few more that I can't share yet.  Have to wait on Chantell to release the design files first. 

Quilting Charley Harper Style

I have been very attracted to the artistic style of the American illustrator Charley Harper since it was introduced to me awhile ago.  I thought it would be a great idea to make a quilt in a sort of tribute to Charley Harper.  Mia and I discussed the style of his art, which she also liked.  She digitized a panel of birds in a 'Charley Harper' style for the embroidery machine.  I had not had a chance to do anything with the panel yet since it wasn't 'calling' me.  Then I found out that Birch Fabrics were producing a line of fabrics using Charley Harper drawings as the designs.  I knew that I had to acquire some as soon as possible even though they were very expensive organic fabrics.  I was able to snatch a fat quarter of each fabric, plus a couple of 1/2 yard pieces too.

I was struggling with a quilt design that would best 'showcase' the fabrics and the designs.  I decided that the best way to get started was to embroidery the 8 panels first.  I have finished stitching them and here they are.  They are not yet sewn together, but you should get the idea. I decided to choose some of the colors in the fabrics to stitch the leaves and I used some of the fabric for the applique part of the birds.  Hopefully when all of the fabrics are put together, everything will blend and look good.

Now, my next job is to design a 'quilt' around them.  I think I have some good ideas on how to proceed and I am going to get started working on them right away.