carousel – Sewvivor – Challenge #3

I am SO thrilled to announce that I managed to squeak my way into round three of Sewvivor. This round, our challenge was hexies (hexagons). I have already made a quilt during Sewvivor, so I had initially planned on making something small, like a crafting tote. But the more I thought about it, the idea had less appeal, especially having just made a slightly epic (for me, and don’t ask how long it took) tote. So, a quilt it was. I had someone really special in mind. I pulled a stack of fabrics, and waited for inspiration to strike.

I started searching for hexagon quilts, and then star hexagon quilts, looking for that perfect pattern. I couldn’t find one pattern that was what I had in mind. But I did find an awesome quilt I really wanted to make, except the person that made it hand pieced it and it took three years. I had about one and a half weeks.

From what I can tell, this quilt design is almost always hand pieced. I’ve seen this design in the past, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I’ve thought that there must be a way to make this design machine piecing friendly. I’m happy to say, I’ve figured it out, come up with a design and absolutely love the result. Each star is encased in an outer frame which creates a large hexagon.

My best friend, and cousin, is the new owner of this quilt. Every single fabric, stitch, and color was chosen with her in mind. She is undoubtedly, always, the first to believe in me and my little creative dreams. I was waiting for the perfect quilt to make for her and this is it. It reminds me of our childhood summers spent together, family, and sunshine. And it’s bright, and happy, just like her.

This quilt measures 68 x 76 inches and is constructed completely using diamonds. I love the vintage quality this design has, and I hope I conveyed that with my fabric choices. I used so many of my absolute favorites that had been carefully stashed away (hoarded).

For the backing, I used a couple prints from Heather Bailey’s Up Parasol line. This just might be my favorite backing ever.

Together, my cousin and I, named this quilt Carousel, as to us, it evokes childhood and the spinning shape of old vintage carousels. 

After an amazing photoshoot with my cousin, and photography assistant extraordinaire, I sent the quilt home with her. It’s already been washed, and loved and treasured. I couldn’t be happier.

 

I want to thank, first and foremost, my family, both immediate and extended, that have put up with my slightly distracted state of mind the past few weeks. They’ve picked up where I’ve dropped things and been so patient. My kids have been amazingly encouraging. I love that the older two are old enough to know what is going on and are my little cheerleaders.

I want to thank Rach of Family Ever After, for graciously moderating and organizing such a fantastic challenge. It’s been fun (and terrifying) to see the ways I’ve let it push me and grow creatively.

Lastly, and definitely not least, I want to thank you, my readers. You have voted for me, cheered me on, and through the wonder that is Instagram, helped me pick up the pieces when I completely fell apart in the middle of this challenge. You believed it me, and it made a difference. So, thank you.

If you would like to vote in this next challenge (and I promise there is only one more if I make it), you can at Family Ever After. I have my next challenge project work out should things pan out, but if they don’t, and I go home this round, I couldn’t be prouder of my project.

Have an awesome week friends!

10 thoughts on “carousel – Sewvivor – Challenge #3

  • Congratulations and good luck!! Beautiful quilt and kudos for finishing a quilt that size in record time!! I love that you made this quilt not only for the challenge but with someone special in mind the entire time. Beautifully done and I am on my way over to vote! For you of course – just love this!

  • This quilt is captivating! The more I look at it, the more I see. I love how the way the hexagons come together, give it the look of the vintage building blocks pattern. Your skill in putting prints and colors together is truly inspiring. Congratulations on such a great accomplishment!

  • What a beautiful quilt. I've voted for you already. I'm so glad you made it through the week. Sometimes you just need a short break from looking at something for the fog to lift and it all to become clear. That must have been what happened because you've finished it beautifully.

  • I am in love with your quilt! I have tried to figure out the star hexagon with no Y seams, with no luck! Hopefully you will share whether it is in a pattern or just a clue! I would definitely buy the pattern! Wow! Hope you win!

  • You've knocked this one outta the park Jade and made a real beauty. I have a Aussie magazine photograph and hand-piecing pattern of this very block that's been in my inspiration file for years – it's a classic that you've made so fresh and lovely. I'll be the first to sign up for the workshop if you ever want to teach this machine-piecing method! Your points are perfect and the fabrics together are just stunning. Good luck for the next round and congratulations!!

  • This is just beautiful! I love your fabric pull ~ it's perfect for the pattern. I would love a tute on how to machine pieced this; I am currently working on a hand pieced version, and you're right – it's going to take a couple of years. Fortunately, I love hand sewing 😉
    Best of luck in the competition 🙂
    ~ Tracy

  • Such a beautiful quilt! The combination of diamonds to stars to hexagons make for an amazing finish!! Love your fabric choices and I hope you win the challenge!!

  • I keep thinking about this quilt and love it more each time I look at it. I read above that others have asked for a tutorial on the machine piecing method you used. I too would love to see that – or I would be happy knowing what size diamonds you used. Your cousin is soooo lucky to receive this quilt.

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