Friday (almost) Finish - Hexie Stockings!

It's been slow goings here in Quarter Inch from the Edge land lately... though I have plenty of time to sew (that's new!), I just don't seem to have the energy. Himself keeps saying it's because I'm 8 months pregnant with twins. Pfftt... as if that should slow anyone down!? ☺

A while back, I blogged about the beginnings of a pair of Christmas stockings for (soon to make an appearance) Double Trouble. I'm pleased to say that they're (almost) finished!

 I just love popping out the cardstock hexie templates... so satisfying!

For the quilting stage, I opted to create separate quilt sandwiches for the front and back. I didn't bother to cut them down to shape using my stocking template, but kept them rectangular. And yes, I'm watching Downton Abbey (again). When in doubt, watch Downton. So happy that a new season will soon be coming our way!

On my last post, people gave all sorts of helpful suggestions on how to quilt the stockings. In the end, I decided that I wanted the fabrics and the hexies to be the stars of the show. I went with a large stipple... making sure not to quilt through any of the owls. I didn't want to hurt them! ☺ Sometimes I outlined their hats or their antlers... can you see them?

 But trimming them... it hurts... it really does hurt!

Since my method will leave raw edges inside the stocking, I decided to zig zag the edges of all the pieces before sewing the stockings together. I'm not overly concerned about raw edges on this project... it's only being used for a short period of time each year. And these are temporary stockings for Double Trouble... they're a little smallish for my family's tradition!

Now we're making progress... they actually look like stockings. One is lined/backed with Kona Poppy, the other with Kona Chartreuse.

Next step, stocking cuffs. I opted to make them four inches wide... giving me lots of room for seam allowance and turning it back over the stocking. I cut two strips 8 by 20, folded them in half lengthwise and sandwiched a piece of batting between the two layers to give it a little umph.

 One done...

 And two done!

You can't tell from these pics, but for the moment, the cuffs are pinned in place. Once Double Trouble get here, I'll need to embroider their names on the cuffs.... a task much more easily done if they're not yet attached to the stocking!

I'm calling these done for now... and linking up with Finish Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF @ Quokka Quilts. Finishing these has revved me a up a little... maybe I'll have some more finishes to share in the days to come! And I'm headed to a teacher pal's place tonight for a quilt consult - I love helping beginner quilters!

J