A modern hexagon quilt

In some ways it feels like many months  have passed since we started on this crazy ride. There has been so much quilting crammed into the last few weeks and I can’t quite believe this little Aussie bird is still in the competition! Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, for your support. You can vote for Falling Into Place at the Family Ever After blog here.

Check out the tutorial for my hand binding tutorial featured in this post.

Introducing the Modern Hexagon quilt
Introducing the Modern Hexagon quilt

The hexagon challenge had my brain absolutely racing with with ideas, yet I kept coming back to using wool. After a trip down to the local quilt shop and an almost meltdown with the possibilities, I found a scrap pack of assorted wools – bingo! I grabbed some yardage of yarn dyed linen which would make a perfect backdrop for all my lovely wools.

Aren't all these wools divine?
Aren’t all these wools divine? 

The linen reminded me of denim, so I really wanted to quilt it with bright yellow like the old school yellow top stitch that jeans used to have and I added a spool of lovely thick perle 8 thread for hand quilting to my order.

I laid the hexagons out in a couple of different ways before landing on the right layout. Then I decided that it was far too structured for me and mixed it up – I was never good at perfect!  I love the way the hexagons are falling into place, finding their place –  some behaving and some finding their own way to break free.

My modern hexagon quilt is almost entirely made by hand. The hexies are slip stitched in place with matching wool thread and I have hand quilted the entire thing, including (pause for dramatic effect) the binding! I adore the way this finishing technique looks – I will definitely being doing it again. The texture of the different wools against the linen is divine and the hand quilting has left it feeling so lovely and soft.

I might not be able to feel my fingers from all the late night stitching, but I am so happy with this quilt, which I am going to call ‘falling into place’…

Close up detail of the wool hexagons
Close up detail of the wool hexagons
Close up of the hand quilting and binding
Close up of the hand quilting and binding
Love the way the hexagons dance around on the linen.
Love the natural colour variation in the hand dyed wool.

Quilt Label

Quilt name: Falling into place

Made for: Sewvivor quilter’s edition competition 2014

Finished size: 40 x 48 inches

Fabrics used: Essex yarn dyed linen; Tula Pink Prince Charming (Dandelion); assorted felted wool, wool felt and dress wools from Addicted to Fabric and Sue Spargo.

Pattern: Original design by Crystal McGann

Tools and templates: Hex n More ruler by Jay Bird Quilts

Quilting details: Hand quilted hexagons in perle 8 thread, including the binding finish.

Modern Hexagons, wool on linen.
Modern Hexagons, wool on linen.

You can vote for me (and your other favourites) on the Family Ever After blog here.

Voting closes Wednesday September 10, at midnight EST.
Fine print: the competitors are allowed to use patterns. Contestants are allowed to recruit from their blogs, social media, family, and friends. One vote per device is allowed. The public vote counts as 50%. The other 50% of the vote comes from our “tribal council” aka Judges. The Top 3 will be revealed next Monday, September 15 EST.

8 thoughts on “A modern hexagon quilt

  1. Crystal, I can’t get over how beautiful your quilt is!! I recently ordered some Essex Linen yardage in a similar (or even the same) shade and I know now, that it is meant to be paired with mustard/yellow yarn! I really hope you make it to the next round =)

  2. Yes, the yellow is brilliant! I do love your binding finish too. I recently did a similar binding when finishing a baby quilt made of double-gauze. I went ahead and went through to the back so the stitching shows on both sides. I like the more tidy look of yours for a more formal finish. Just Brilliant. Congrats!

  3. It’s absolutely beautiful! When you told me what you were thinking of doing, I knew it would be beautiful, but nothing as beautiful as this! Good luck!

  4. Love this Crystal… it is gorgeous. And I want to feel the softness from the handquilting and the texture of the wool. Can’t believe in a time pressured environment such as sewvivor you did a quilt by hand – you are awesome (or mad). Love the binding. I did that on my show quilt this year and will do it again – such a lovely look. Good luck making the final – Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

  5. Beautiful quilt,,and all by hand! It’s gorgeous.

  6. wonderful hexies

  7. Really great quilt! Love the contrast of colorful and neutral background with the fabulous stitching.:)

    1. Thank you Audrey. I only love it more as time goes on!

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