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

Merry Quilt-y Christmas!

Well, the tree is decorated, Miss K and Mr J's gingerbread houses are covered in icing and candy (as were they), the presents are wrapped, the groceries are purchased... must be time for... the Christmas collapse. I'm confined to the couch with a Christmas cold/flu. Oh well, at least I can blog and watch The Grinch!

My love of decorating for Christmas is forever at odds with the number of Rubbermaid totes I have to pack under the stairs each year! I love tree ornaments and have so much trouble resisting the urge to buy more. On the quilting front, I didn't really think that I had a lot of quilted Christmas items... until I started writing this post! ☺

Christmas decor is so special to me that I never just want to make any old thing for Christmas. I want it to be just right... since it will likely be a part of our traditions for years! The perfect example is this year's addition - the asterisk tree skirt.

It took me years to find just the right tree skirt! I made two prototype skirts last Christmas in an attempt to find just the right one! I blogged about the making of this one here. If you're looking for a tutorial on how to make the blocks, look no further!  I'm more than a little obsessed with this Valori Wells print from the Wrenly Christmas line. I almost hated to use it as backing... then again, there's still some on the bolt at my LQS. Can you say Boxing Day sale?
The same print makes an appearance in my new pillow covers. I started the hexie pillow last week-end with thoughts that I might finish it for next year. But those hexies are just so addictive. And I couldn't have just one pillow on the couch, right? I'm already plotting more for next year - maybe even as gifts!

A couple years ago, Q-D showed up at a Quilt Therapy session with these little paper pieced darlings. I couldn't resist (neither could Q-B!) and ended up making two.

I love hanging it up at the beginning of December. I've had requests to make this one as a gift, but I just can't face those borders again!

Another paper pieced project - the infamous stockings. Our family likes a big stocking... it's not greed, it's tradition! Himself didn't have a stocking with his name on it... yet another family tradition... so I made him one. But didn't manage my own until at least a year later!

One of these years, I might break down and made a Christmas couch quilt. I really want one, but it always seems like so much work for such a short time. And where to store it the other eleven months of the year?

As we're all hustling about putting the finishing touches on what we hope will be a perfect holiday, I'll leave you with a little insight from our pal, the Grinch.

Merry Christmas, dear reader! Enjoy whatever it brings, even a partially cooked turkey or a collapsible table collapsing during dinner. They can't happen more than once, right?

J