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!