Red Can Make Things Better

I finished the hexagon quilt.

I think I should call it "When In Doubt Add More Red"!
I made the hexagons out of an 8 pack of fat quarters. I didn't know what to do with them - there were too many for a table runner and not enough for a lap quilt - so I added red fabric! It made a small lap quilt that I still wasn't too thrilled with - so I quilted an all over pattern in red thread! Red is my favorite colour and I figure can only make things better!!

I did a loop and three-leaf all over design with red Aurifil thread on my home sewing machine. I used cotton batting and a flannel backing. The fabric is Glace by Moda. The quilt is a 52" x 50½" lap quilt. I am pleased with the final results - red did make it better (maybe that should be the name!?).
I don't think I would make the pattern again, I find that there are too many bulky seams.

These flowers aren't quite red, but they brighten my living room. I brought this hibiscus plant in for the winter, it did wonderfully outside for the summer.

Something that might brighten your day is winning a GO! Cutter!! Millie from Millie's Quilting is having a great give away for a GO! Cutter and three dies!! The winner will be picked on Oct 2nd. Good luck!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!♥

Ready for More Machine Quilting

Today I prepared the hexagon quilt for machine quilting.

All layered, pinned and ready to go!

I even cleaned my sewing machine -

I use a small paintbrush to clean through the hole in the bobbin holder (I turn the wheel a little bit to clean in a different area - the bobbin case has been removed).
Charlie from Qubee Quilts recommends cleaning your machine after 4 to 6 hours of sewing - definitely not something I do, although I clean it often - I am going to have to remember to do it more often.

I joined some batting to get a big enough piece for the hexagon quilt.

This is the first time that I have joined batting with my sewing machine.

I used a type of feather stitch, and it worked really well - better than when I hand stitch it.

I am using cotton batting, and am probably going to do an allover quilting pattern, maybe leaves and loops (my favorite!) with red Aurifil.

Yesterday I picked all the tomatoes (we had our first frost last night), here are some of my favorites. I like to grow heirloom tomatoes. The large ones at the top are Brandywine (two are joined together), the orange ones are Nebraska Wedding (my favorite - the texture is creamy), an Oxheart on the right, the green ones (they are ripe) are Green Zebras (nice tangy flavor - but not too acidic), and the little ones are black cherry and yellow pear tomatoes. Nothing like garden fresh tomatoes!!

Have a great day and thanks for dropping by!! ♥