Friday, October 03, 2014

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

21 comments:

  1. Can u still fit behind the sewing machine? I tried sewing when I was about 8 months pregnant and it was so uncomfortable because I had to stretch to reach the machine! There may have been tears.

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  2. These are so cute! I love the things with big eyes, owls? Hang in there, someday you won't remember being pregnant!? My youngest is 14, and this is mostly true. You may want to get their names machine embroidered on the cuffs before you attach them, wait, do they have names yet?

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    1. Nope... no names yet! We're doing this old school and not finding out what's in there! :)

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    2. You could always have their working names embroidered "Aaby" and Baby". :-)

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  3. These look great, and outlining the hats and antlers in the quilting is lots of fun. :) Congratulations on getting these done until the twins arrive!

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  4. These are great - I'm sure they will be enjoyed for many years!

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  5. Love love love these stockings for double trouble! Maybe I need to make some for my girls since girly 2 will need one this year and girly 1 has a store-bought *gasp!* one.

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  6. These turned out awesome!! Can't wait to finally find out what your cooking in there!!

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  7. I love the owl fabric. Those stockings are so cheery!

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  8. Very cool, especially the quilting around the hats and antlers! Thanks for the tips on how to make the stockings too!

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  9. Wow! They came out so pretty and I completely understand about cutting the owls....Can't wait to see the cuffs complete sometime in the near future :)

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  10. They are really cute. I love the hexies.

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  11. These are very cute. Love the owls.

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  12. These are adorable!

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  13. They're awesome Jenn! I'm sure Santa will be happy to fill those beauties!

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  14. 8 months? When did that happen? Cute stockings and can't wait to see the names embroidered.

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  15. Hi Jenn, Did you follow the assembly instructions from fabric worm blog except the hexie fronts ? I love these stockings especially love the owl fabric. I know you love Konas. I was just shopping for perfect Christmas red and picked Cardinal but I am loving the Poppy. I love them too also got the same green as you. I have to start more sewing less buying. Everyone was getting some placemats but I am thinking these would be way more fun ! Lori

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  16. Nah. Carrying TWO PEOPLE about shouldn't tire you out ... much!
    I am just about to trim my hexie cushion front (travel project) and I hadn't thought to leave the trimming until AFTER I had quilted. Good idea! I'll do that. I can see that cutting of half of some of them will hurt.
    Cute stockings, and great work on the quilting.

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