Of Hexie Finishes & Thimble Holes!

I put in the last hand quilting stitches last night.

Finally!

It's not like this quilt has been a rush or anything - I started it as a travel project in 1999 when traveling to visit and stay with my grandmother. 

It really was an on again, off again project that stayed in my busy bag at a time when I was really not traveling yet - it would come out a few times a year as just something to do.

When it became apparent that my quilting life was going directions I had never dreamed, I realized if I ever wanted to make good on this project during this lifetime I needed to have ONE busy bag project only, not multiple.

And I not only pushed through this one, but a second one (still yet to be quilted!) so I would have something completely sewn by hand for each of my sons.

This one will go to my son Jason in due time.  He is not in a position to care for it now, living in a tiny studio apartment near Portland, Oregon.  I'm holding it for him.

But I digress.

This photo is of the last knot being tied off and buried - and you can see that yes, these fabrics are at least 20 years old.  As is this project.  So many memories stitched into each piece.

Some have asked how I plan to bind this - I want to keep the picot edge, very easy since the edges of the hexies are already basted under.

I will trim the batting even with the outside edge of the hexies.  Then trim the backing 1/4'' away from the edge of the hexies, and turn that backing fabric in to meet the edge of the hexies and blind stitch it in place.  there will be no applied binding nor facing.  Just a bind stitch.

Not all quilts get a "traditional" binding.  This is one of those.

I have a previous hexie project I also made in the 1990s that is hand quilted and finished this way.  I really like the look and I think it will work well here.

The last completed section.

This morning I did a quick trim to get most of the excess batting and backing fabric off.

Compared to many of my quilts, this really isn't all that large.  Oh, in case you were wondering - the hexies are 3/4'' per side.

No, I haven't counted how many hexagons are in here.  I will at some point, maybe when the binding is finished.  Piece count was never that important to me.

I don't think it's any wonder that my needle worked a hole right through that thimble!

See it?

I sent it off yesterday, and a new one will be coming my way.  In the mean time, I'll be using the spare shown above.

(The stone is a garnet - my birthstone.)

See more TJ Lane thimbles HERE.

Big binding job ahead!

So glad it's not a race, and I will just work on it in the evenings during tv time. Ending the day with some quiet hand stitching is my favorite part of the day.

And because you asked!

We eat gluten free in our house.  Dave has a gluten allergy that causes hives (really NO FUN!) so finding a fast and easy potato soup recipe that does not require a flour roux has been a godsend.

We love hearty soups and stews during the winter months and this one fits the bill.  I was posting on Facebook last night and so many wanted the Instant Pot recipe I'm posting it here.

Ingredients:

1/2 package of bacon, diced. (6 to 8 strips)

1 large onion, chopped

1 tsp dried thyme

2 lbs russet potatoes peeled and chunked (about 8-9 medium sized)

4 cups chicken broth (I use Better Than Bouillon and water)

1 cup milk + 2 Tbsp milk, divided

2 Tbsp corn starch

1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Shredded cheese, chopped chives, bacon bits for garnish at serving.

Set Instant Pot to sauté and add bacon.  While diced bacon cooks to crispy wash, peel and chunk up the potatoes.  You don't have to cut them too small, they'll cook just fine as large chunks.

Dissolve 4 Tbsp of Better Than Bouillon in 4 cups of warm water if not using chicken stock.

When bacon is done, remove it from pot and drain on paper towels.  Save 3 Tbsp of bacon drippings in pot.  With pot still on sauté, add chicken stock/bouillon to pot and scrape any bacon bits off the bottom of the pot to deglaze.

Add potatoes, onion, and thyme to pot.

Close and secure the lid, and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.  Manually release pressure. 

Remove lid. Switch pot back to sauté.   Mix the 2 Tbsp corn starch with the 2 Tbsp milk until smooth and add to pot. Add the remaining 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream.  Stir as soup begins to thicken, breaking up larger chunks of potato with a potato masher.

We like our soup to have some good chunks in it, so I don't break it up too much. if you like it really creamy, you can use an immersion blender at this point.

Stir the cooked diced bacon back into the soup.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve topped with shredded cheese, chives, bacon bits.

This makes a big batch and we love the leftovers for lunch over the next couple of days.

The soup does get thicker after sitting in the fridge, so we just add more milk to thin it out during reheating.

Enjoy!

I'll be adding this post to the recipes tab at the top of the blog under the Instant Pot category so you can find it easily later when you need it.

Today - what am I doing today?  The Brown & Turquoise is waiting binding, but I want to finish the edge of the hexie quilt first.  It can wait its turn.

I have a UFO - another LONG TERM - where I made many units but don't like my original idea for them, so I'm thinking of what else I can do with them.  I'll be at the drawing board for that today -

Plus it's graphics and step outs day for Rhododendron Trail Part Four coming up quickly on Friday!

This shipment arrived yesterday!

If I was sold out when you tried to order over Black Friday weekend - I've got just a handful of each in stock.  You'll find them in the books category of the Quiltville Store.

How about you?  Anything exciting going on? Are you deep into cookie and goodie baking?

Quiltville Quote of the Day-

Vintage Bow Tie quilt found in North Carolina.

I believe this with all of my heart!

Have a lovely Wednesday, everyone!